Neurosciences

Area coordinators:

• Enrique Baca García
  EBaca@quironsalud.es
  Consulta su CV

• José María Serratosa Fernández
  JMSerratosa@fjd.es
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Foto1 neuro

The research lines of the Neurosciences Area are aimed at the genetic and clinical study of various diseases and disorders affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS): epilepsy (including rare diseases whose manifestations include epilepsy), dementia, movement disorders, mental illnesses and suicidal behaviour. In addition, lines such as pharmacogenetics in psychiatry and psychiatric care, and movement analysis in neurological and psychiatric diseases are included.

The Neurology group focuses on the study of some very prevalent CNS pathologies (epilepsy, dementia and movement disorders), as well as certain rare neurological diseases (Lafora disease, epileptic and developmental encephalopathies, familial dementia, Huntington's disease) using molecular genetic techniques and animal models of these diseases. The ultimate goal is to be able to transfer the knowledge to clinical practice, especially by implementing new therapies to cure these diseases.

The Psychiatry group focuses on the study of genetic and environmental factors involved in the genesis, evolution and treatment of mental disorders. It uses ecological momentary assessment technology and machine learning to define phenotypes. This objective is complemented by researching the factors with an impact on the care of patients with mental disorders in public facilities. Schizophrenia, affective disorders and substance abuse are the most serious and prevalent mental disorders. Among the consequences of mental illness is suicidal behaviour, which is among the leading causes of mortality in the Western world.

The Mitochondrial Signalling and Aging group studies the role of Ca²⁺signaling in brain metabolism and the role of Aralar and SCaMCs in human pathology.

Specific objectives for 2023 include:

• Develop a gene therapy for Lafora disease. Lafora Epilepsy Cure Initiative (LECI).
• Study the natural history of Lafora disease. Translate findings into clinical practice through controlled clinical trials.
• Create a registry of cases of rare genetic epilepsy in order to have groups of patients with specific mutations that can be included in future clinical trials aimed at finding personalised treatments.
• Continue to identify phenotypes responsible for genetic epilepsy to improve care for affected patients.
• Develop devices that detect seizures and their frequency at the patient's home.
• Study clinical-genetic correlations and biomarkers in familial dementia and cognitively-preserved nonagenarians.
• Identify subtypes of Parkinson's disease with different clinical and phenotypic evolution. Study of various aspects of Parkinson's disease, such as the effect of safinamide, amimia, Parkinsonian tremor remission, and motor study in Parkinson's disease with external monitor.
• Study the factors with an impact on the care of patients with mental disorders in public facilities, especially schizophrenia, affective disorders, substance abuse and suicidal behaviour.
• Study the role of Ca2+ signalling in brain metabolism and the role of Aralar and SCaMCs in human pathology.

The neural basis of somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold as a paradigm for time processing in the sub-second range: An updated review.

Ordás CM, Alonso-Frech F.

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2024 Jan.156:105486.

PMID: 38040074

FI: 8,2

Understanding the potential of digital therapies in implementing the standard of care for depression in Europe.

Courtet P, Amiot O, Baca-Garcia E, Bellardita L, Cerveri G, Clair AH, De Leo D, Drapier D, Fakra E, Gheysen F, Giner L, Gonzalez-Pinto A, Gussoni G, Haffen E, Lecardeur L, Mayoral-Cleries F, Mennini FS, Sáiz PA, Vieta E, Hidalgo DA, Volpe U.

Eur Psychiatry. 2023 Oct 24.66(1):e82.

PMID: 37872705

FI: 7,8

IF1 ablation prevents ATP synthase oligomerization, enhances mitochondrial ATP turnover and promotes an adenosine-mediated pro-inflammatory phenotype.

Domínguez-Zorita S, Romero-Carramiñana I, Santacatterina F, Esparza-Moltó PB, Simó C, Del-Arco A, Núñez de Arenas C, Saiz J, Barbas C, Cuezva JM.

Cell Death Dis. 2023 Jul 12.14(7):413.

PMID: 37433784

FI: 9

Text mining methods for the characterisation of suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

Sedano-Capdevila A, Toledo-Acosta M, Barrigon ML, Morales-González E, Torres-Moreno D, Martínez-Zaldivar B, Hermosillo-Valadez J, Baca-García E, MEmind Study Group (Segura-Valverde M, Hernando Merino E, Álvarez-García R, Puras-Rico P, Serrano-Marugán L).

Psychiatry Res. 2023 Apr.322:115090.

PMID: 36803841

FI: 11,3

Oral anticoagulants: A plausible new treatment for Alzheimer's disease?

Toribio-Fernandez R, Ceron C, Tristão-Pereira C, Fernandez-Nueda I, Perez-Castillo A, Fernandez-Ferro J, Moro MA, Ibañez B, Fuster V, Cortes-Canteli M.

Br J Pharmacol. 2023 Jan 12.

PMID: 36633908

FI: 7,3

Gender Perspective in the Neurosciences Area

The Neurosciences area is made up of a group of professionals committed to respect and equality among its team members, which seeks to promote the professional development of all its personnel without discrimination based on gender or age

6.3.0-ÁREA NEUROCIENCIAS-B-GÉNERO

Neurosciences Area Future Goals

• Develop, validate and implement systems to monitor motor activity in neurological and psychiatric diseases that aid in assessing disease severity.
• Generate diagnostic and therapeutic tools that can improve the care of patients affected by brain diseases.
• Identification of genes involved in neurological and psychiatric diseases and their interactions with environmental factors for more accurate and personalised genetic diagnosis, and more effective treatment.
• Establishing an animal model unit for neurological diseases with the aim of developing therapies to be tested in humans.
• Development of advanced therapies for brain diseases: gene therapy, antisense oligo nucleotides, antibody-drug/enzyme fusion and drug repositioning.
• Study the role of Ca²⁺ signalling in brain metabolism and generation of mice with tissue-specific ARALAR disruption, leading to a precise determination of its role and the possible treatment of epileptic seizures with a ketogenic diet.
• Neuropharmacology and therapeutics of Parkinson's disease and Movement disorders, including deep brain stimulation and new drugs.
• Consolidation of the application of machine learning techniques in the analysis of genetic and welfare databases in psychiatry.
• Development and validation of diagnostic tools using massive sequencing techniques for the study of common and rare forms of epilepsy.
• Establishment of reference units for the study of rare forms of dementia, movement disorders and epilepsy.
• Accurate diagnosis of genetic dementias.
• Neurogenetics of movement disorders, especially dystonia, ataxia and Parkinson's disease.
• Study of the factors with an impact on the care of patients with mental disorders in public facilities, especially schizophrenia, affective disorders, and suicidal behaviour.
• Development of technology to determine digital phenotypes.

Research Groups

• Neurology
• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Mitochondrial Calcium Signalling