NEUROPHARMACOLOGY

NEUROPHARMACOLOGY

14 235 

RESEARCH

Treatments of neurological and psychiatric diseases largely rely on the modulation of synaptic trans­mission by drugs acting on diverse receptors and transporters. The research projects developed in the group of neuropharmacology concern the regulation of these key molecular targets. Our recent studies are focused on the regulation of glial glutamate targets in vitro and in models of nervous lesions (neu­ropathic pain, brain tumours and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) (Ref 1-3). In particular, we study the influence of neuroinflammation that develops in several nervous diseases on the glutamate handling by astrocytes. Indeed, astrocytes and microglial cells express glutamate transporters and metabotropic glutamate receptors which indirectly influence the excitatory transmission between neurons.

Besides, we also investigate the regulation of G-protein coupled receptors. In particular, we examine the diversity of intracellular signalling cascades activated by distinct receptor agonists and study the possibility to differentially manipulate these signallings. Presently, our interest is focussed on dopamine and cannabinoid receptors.

The current projects are:

  • Regulation of glutamate transporters in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Role of neuroinflammation in the development of chronic pain
  • Regulation of cell signaling associated with G-protein coupled receptors 

Collaborations linked to these projects are:

National collaborations

  • Dr Ann Massie, Ilse Smolders, Yvette Michotte, VUB
  • Dr Roland Pochet, ULB
  • Dr Serge Schiffmann, ULB
  • Dr Bernard Rogister, ULg
  • Dr Bernard Lakaye, ULg
  • Dr Pierre Leprince à l'ULG

International collaborations

  • Dr R.A.John Challiss, Leicester (UK)
  • Dr Elena N. Kozlova, Stockholm (SW)
  • Dr Guylène Page, Poitiers (FR) 
  • Dr Marcus RATTRAY, Reading UK

TEAM

Principal Investigators

  • , PhD, Head of Unit
  • , MD, PhD
  • , MD, PhD
  • , MD, PhD
  • , MD, PhD
  • , MD, PhD
  • , MD, PhD (visitor)

 Postdoctorate fellows 

  • , Postdoctorate Fellow
  • , Postdoctorate Fellow
  • , Postdoctorate Fellow

PhD students  

  • , PhD Student
  • , PhD Student
  • , PhD Student

Technical and administrative staff

  • , Technician
  • , Technician
  • , Technician
  • , Administratvie Assistant

PUBLICATIONS

Significant publications  

Recent publications Neuropharmacology
Export

Journal Articles


1. Steyaert, Arnaud; Lavand'homme, Patricia. Postoperative opioids: let us take responsibility for the possible consequences.. In: European Journal of Anaesthesiology, Vol. 30, no.2, p. 50-2 (2013). doi:10.1097/EJA.0b013e32835b9db2 (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125272

2. Deumens, Ronald; Mazzone, G L; Taccola, G. Early spread of hyperexcitability to caudal dorsal horn networks after a chemically-induced lesion of the rat spinal cord in vitro.. In: Neuroscience, Vol. 229, p. 155-63 (2013). doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.10.036. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125388

3. Deumens, Ronald; Steyaert, Arnaud; Forget, Patrice; Lavand'homme, Patricia; Hermans, Emmanuel; De Kock, Marc. Prevention of chronic postoperative pain: Cellular and molecular insights for mechanisms-based treatment approaches.. In: Progress in Neurobiology, (2013). doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.01.002 (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125387

4. Deumens, Ronald; Van Gorp, S F J; Bozkurt, A; Beckmann, C; Führmann, T; Montzka, K; Tolba, R; Kobayashi, E; Heschel, I; Weis, J; Brook, G A. Motor outcome and allodynia are largely unaffected by novel olfactory ensheathing cell grafts to repair low-thoracic lesion gaps in the adult rat spinal cord.. In: Behavioural Brain Research, Vol. 237, p. 185-189 (2013). doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2012.09.036. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125329

5. Veyckemans, Francis. "Lord deliver us from pain". In: The European Respiratory Journal, , no.n/A, p. n/A (2013). (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125625

6. Veyckemans, Francis. Belgian recommendations on perioperative maintenance fluid management of surgical pediatric population. In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica, (2013). (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125624

7. Eisenach, James C; Pan, Peter; Smiley, Richard M; Lavand'homme, Patricia; Landau, Ruth; Houle, Timothy T. Resolution of pain after childbirth.. In: Anesthesiology, Vol. 118, no.1, p. 143-51 (2013). doi:10.1097/ALN.0b013e318278ccfd. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125274

8. Focant, M C; Goursaud, Stéphanie; Boucherie, Cédric; Dumont, Amélie; Hermans, Emmanuel. PICK1 expression in reactive astrocytes within the spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) rats.. In: Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, Vol. 39, no.3, p. 231-42 (2013). doi:10.1111/j.1365-2990.2012.01282.x. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/126633

9. Focant, Marylène; Hermans, Emmanuel. Protein Interacting With C Kinase and Neurological Disorders. In: Synapse, (2013). (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/126972

10. Hamurtekin, Emre; Fitzsimmons, Bethany L; Shubayev, Veronica I; Grafe, Marjorie R; Deumens, Ronald; Yaksh, Tony L; Walker, Suellen M. Evaluation of Spinal Toxicity and Long-term Spinal Reflex Function after Intrathecal Levobupivaciane in the Neonatal Rat.. In: Anesthesiology, (2013). doi:10.1097/ALN.0b013e31828fc7e7 (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078/127125


Publications récentes Neuropharmacologie
Export

Journal Articles


1. Steyaert, Arnaud; Lavand'homme, Patricia. Postoperative opioids: let us take responsibility for the possible consequences.. In: European Journal of Anaesthesiology, Vol. 30, no.2, p. 50-2 (2013). doi:10.1097/EJA.0b013e32835b9db2 (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125272

2. Deumens, Ronald; Mazzone, G L; Taccola, G. Early spread of hyperexcitability to caudal dorsal horn networks after a chemically-induced lesion of the rat spinal cord in vitro.. In: Neuroscience, Vol. 229, p. 155-63 (2013). doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.10.036. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125388

3. Deumens, Ronald; Steyaert, Arnaud; Forget, Patrice; Lavand'homme, Patricia; Hermans, Emmanuel; De Kock, Marc. Prevention of chronic postoperative pain: Cellular and molecular insights for mechanisms-based treatment approaches.. In: Progress in Neurobiology, (2013). doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2013.01.002 (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125387

4. Deumens, Ronald; Van Gorp, S F J; Bozkurt, A; Beckmann, C; Führmann, T; Montzka, K; Tolba, R; Kobayashi, E; Heschel, I; Weis, J; Brook, G A. Motor outcome and allodynia are largely unaffected by novel olfactory ensheathing cell grafts to repair low-thoracic lesion gaps in the adult rat spinal cord.. In: Behavioural Brain Research, Vol. 237, p. 185-189 (2013). doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2012.09.036. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125329

5. Veyckemans, Francis. "Lord deliver us from pain". In: The European Respiratory Journal, , no.n/A, p. n/A (2013). (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125625

6. Veyckemans, Francis. Belgian recommendations on perioperative maintenance fluid management of surgical pediatric population. In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica, (2013). (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125624

7. Eisenach, James C; Pan, Peter; Smiley, Richard M; Lavand'homme, Patricia; Landau, Ruth; Houle, Timothy T. Resolution of pain after childbirth.. In: Anesthesiology, Vol. 118, no.1, p. 143-51 (2013). doi:10.1097/ALN.0b013e318278ccfd. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/125274

8. Focant, M C; Goursaud, Stéphanie; Boucherie, Cédric; Dumont, Amélie; Hermans, Emmanuel. PICK1 expression in reactive astrocytes within the spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) rats.. In: Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, Vol. 39, no.3, p. 231-42 (2013). doi:10.1111/j.1365-2990.2012.01282.x. http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/126633

9. Focant, Marylène; Hermans, Emmanuel. Protein Interacting With C Kinase and Neurological Disorders. In: Synapse, (2013). (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/126972

10. Hamurtekin, Emre; Fitzsimmons, Bethany L; Shubayev, Veronica I; Grafe, Marjorie R; Deumens, Ronald; Yaksh, Tony L; Walker, Suellen M. Evaluation of Spinal Toxicity and Long-term Spinal Reflex Function after Intrathecal Levobupivaciane in the Neonatal Rat.. In: Anesthesiology, (2013). doi:10.1097/ALN.0b013e31828fc7e7 (Accepté/Sous presse). http://hdl.handle.net/2078/127125


| 23/05/2013 |