Brain and Psychostimulants
Across an individual’s lifespan, the brain undergoes constant changes to adapt to diverse environmental demands. Neurons and their connections can be modified due to multiple factors, including intrinsic developmental processes, traumatic injury, pharmacological interventions, as well as through learning and memory processes. This inherent ability of the brain to change is referred to as PLASTICITY.
Our lab studies some of the molecular and cellular mechanisms implicated in the process of addiction to drugs of abuse. In particular, we study amphetamines and their derivates.
We are interested in understanding the neuroadaptive responses triggered by stimulant drugs, involving into both functional and structural synaptic plasticity. Our particularly focus lies on exploring the particopation of the “Cdk5/p35” protein complex as a key modulator in these neuroadaptive responses.
Considering that psychostimulant drugs are the main pharmacological treatment for ADHD in children and adolescents, we study the neurobiological basis of this disorder using a transgenic mouse model. This mouse is deficient in the “p35” protein from the Cdk5/p35 complex, exhibiting features associated with the disorder in humans. Currently, ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in children and adolescents, with a global prevalence of 3.4%. Paradoxically, the standard treatment involves the use of psychostimulants, particularly methylphenidate (Ritalin). Nowadays, there are no biological markers with diagnostic value for this condition. Therefore, the availability of animal models are invaluable tools in deciphering the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the neurophysiological characteristics of the disorder, providing a significant opportunity to screen potential therapeutic strategies.
COMPETITIVE RESEARCH FUNDS
- PICT 2021- I-A-0500. FONCYT. Diferencias sexuales en la morfogénesis de espinas dendríticas modulada por drogas psicoestimulantes: Julia Cambiasso (PI) y Gabriela Paglini (GR)..
- PICT 2019-02157. FONCYT. Consecuencias neurobiológicas de la modulación simultánea de los sistemas monoaminérgicos en un modelo animal del Trastorno por Déficit de la Atención con Hiperactividad. PI.
- PICT 2018-01044. FONCYT. Plasticidad neuronal asociada a drogas psicoestimulantes. Investigadora responsable. PI.
- CONSOLIDAR III 2018-2022. SECYT UNC. Caracterización del ciclo replicativo del virus Pixuna: evaluación de su utilidad como modelo no patógeno del Complejo de Encefalitis Equina Venezolana. PI.
- PRIMAR-TP 2018/2022. SECYT UNC. Influencia del envejecimiento sobre la plasticidad sináptica y la neurodegeneración: enfoque epigenético e inmunológico. PI.
PUBLICATIONS (LATEST FIVE YEARS)
- Rodríguez PE, Gil PI, Cámara JA, Cámara A and Paglini MG. 2023. Actin cytoskeleton dynamics affect replication of Human Metapneumovirus. 2023.. En revisión. Disponible en bioRvix: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.30.510364v1.full.pdf
- Ghietto LM, Gil PI, Olmos Quinteros P, Gomez E, Piris FM, Kunda P, Contigiani M and Paglini, MG. 2022 Members of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis complex entry into host cells by clathrin-mediated endocytosis in a pH-dependent manner. Sci Rep Aug 25;12(1):14556. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-18846-w.
- Martinez F, Ghietto LM, Lingua G, Mugas ML, Aguilar JJ, Gil P, Pisano MB, Marioni G, Paglini MG, Contigiani MS, Núñez-Montoya SC and Konigheim BS. 2022. New insights into the Antiviral Activity of Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid: Inhibition of Dengue Virus Serotype 1 replication. Phytomedicine, 154424.
- Fernández G, Krapacher F, Ferreras S, Quassollo G, Mari MM, Pisano MV, Montemerlo A, Rubianes MD, Bregonzio C, Arias, C and Paglini MG. 2021. Lack of Cdk5 activity is involved on Dopamine Transporter expression and function: Evidences from an animal model of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Exp Neurol. 16;346:113866. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113866.
- Fernández Romero JA, Paglini MG, Priano C, Koroch A, Rodríguez Y, Sailer J, Teleshova N. 2021. Algal and Cyanobacterial Lectins and Their Antimicrobial Properties. Mar Drugs. Dec 1;19(12):687. doi: 10.3390/md19120687. Review.
- Perea Vega ML, Sanchez MS, Fernández G, Paglini MG, Martin M, de Barioglio SR. 2021. Ghrelin treatment leads to dendritic spine remodeling in hippocampal neurons and increases the expression of specific BDNF-mRNA species. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 18;179:107409. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107409.
- Rodriguez PE, Frutos MC, Adamo MP, Cuffini C, Cámara JA, Paglini MG, Moreno L, Cámara A. 2020. Human Metapneumovirus: Epidemiology and genotype diversity in children and adult patients with respiratory infection in Córdoba, Argentina. PLoS One. 28;15(12):e0244093. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244093.
- Fernández Romero, JA, Paglini, MG & Zydowsky, TM. 2019. Topical formulations to prevent sexually transmitted infections: are we on track? Future Virol. vol. 14, no. 8.
- Complete and updated list available here.
TEAM
