Neuropharmacology
The Neuropharmacology Group is concerned with the actions and interactions of neuroactive substances in the brain and their relevance to synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration. There are strong links with the Spinal Cord Group. The primary interests of the group are:
Mechanisms of synaptic plasticity / memory
- Proteomic analysis of plasticity related proteins
- Intracellular trafficking of synaptic proteins during Function of dendritic mRNAs in activity-dependent regulation of local protein synthesis
- Signalling mechanisms activated by NMDA receptors, in particular the role of the neuronal proteasome and of Rho GTPases
- Adenosine modulation of synaptic function and plasticity
- Function of transcription factors implicated in synaptic plasticity, and identification of their target genes
Mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection
- Relationships between glutamate, purines, kynurenines and oxidative stress
- Role of neurotrophins in regeneration and neuroprotection
- Roles and therapeutic potential of adenosine receptor ligands in relation to neuroprotection
- Physiopathological roles of the kynurenine pathway
- Pharmacology of compounds interfering with the kynurenine pathways as therapeutic agents
- Axonal damage, signalling and neuronal death pathways
Neuronal network activity in the hippocampus
- Cholinergic modulation of hippocampal circuits
- Role of GABAergic interneurones in hippocampal function
- Physiological mechanisms of network oscillations
- Pathophysiology of hippocampal epileptogenesis
- Physiology of the septo-hippocampal axis
Aetiology of psychiatric diseases, in particular schizophrenia
- Genetic analysis - linkage analysis of schizophrenia-related genes
- Genomic analysis -transcriptome changes in schizophrenia
- Functional analysis of GABAergic inhibition in prefrontal cortex
Key staff contacts: 
Dr S.R. Cobb
Professor B.J. Morris
Professor R.A. Smith
Professor T.W. Stone