Page 24 - MemoriaSAM-Eng

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMES

Therapeutic Innovation

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Programme Created in 2011, the CIBERSAM Therapeutic Innovation Programme is essentially
formed by basic groups and the Neuroimaging group. It also incorporates the main
Description
CIBERSAM clinical groups interested in identifying new therapeutic targets, developing
them and their possible application in the field of psychiatric diseases.

The Programme includes the coordinating groups of the Bipolar Disorder Programme

(Dr. E. Vieta) and Schizophrenia Programme (Dr. J. Sanjuán), and there is excellent

collaboration between several groups with the Depression Programme coordinator (Dr.
V. Prez). This favors the integration of various programmes. In addition, a number of

collaborations have been established with various CIBERSAM groups and other CIBERs.

The mission of the Therapeutic Innovation Programme (TIP) consists of conducting

multidisciplinary and translational research in the fields of depression, schizophrenia
and bipolar disorder for the purpose of improving already existing treatments for these

diseases.

The programme includes highly trained staff, developing a wide range of lines of work,
as well as a range of basic and clinical methodologies.

The main lines of research developed by the Innovation Therapeutic Programme to

date
include:

•
Neurochemistry/Neurobiology: Studies on neurotransmitters, receptors

(mGluR2, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT3, CB1, DA, NA-Alpha-2, opioids, etc.) and intra-
cellular signaling mechanisms (ERK-1/2).

•
The role of neuroplasticity/neuroproliferation pathways in psychiatric dis-

orders. ß-catenin, mTOR and BDNF as new targets for psychotropic drugs.

•
Brain circuits in schizophrenia (GABA interneurons, NMDA-R, thalamocortical

circuits, etc.). Mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs.
13
•
Mechanism of action of new antidepressant strategies: deep brain stimula- 0
tion, (preclinical and clinical studies), ketamine, 5HT4 receptor, siRNA.
2
RT
• O
The role of stress and its regulating mechanisms in psychiatric disorders. EP
R
•
Regulation of inflammatory mechanisms, of their origin and consequences in
AL
neuropsychiatric disorders. U
NN
•
Neurobiological mechanisms of hallucinations and sensitivity to psychotrop-
A
/
ic drugs. M
SA
• Genes and neuroimaging (clinical and preclinical studies).
R
BE
•
Study of the early stages of Schizophrenia: molecular models for the early CI

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identification of psychosis.