Researchers' Proposals

The role of serotonin (5-HT) and its receptor subtypes in the regulation of several physiological and pathological functions of the central nervous system. These include experimental and clinical studies related to anxiety, aggression, epilepsy, migraine, motor activity, sleep-vigilance, circadian rhythms, EEG power spectra, temperature, food-intake, neuroendocrine functions (release of hormones and neuropeptides, like ACTH, corticosterone, β-endorphin, vasopressin, oxytocin, prolactin). Most of these studies  are connected to neuro- and/or psychopharmacology, like mechanisms of actions of medicines (e.g., SSRI antidepressants) and drugs (e.g., MDMA, ecstasy). Methods include also genetic variations of 5-HT receptors associated with neurological or psychiatric disease, and altered receptor functions in receptor knockout mice.