Descripción del proyecto
El receptor 1 asociado a las aminas traza como nueva diana molecular en la investigación de la esquizofrenia
El estudio del papel funcional de la señalización de la dopamina (DA) estriatal es necesario debido a su amplio impacto en los procesos motores, motivacionales y de aprendizaje. La sobrerreactividad de la DA es el mecanismo fisiopatológico mejor establecido que subyace a la esquizofrenia. El proyecto TACtIK, financiado con fondos europeos, pretende introducir un modelo innovador de quimiogenética/imágenes de tomografía por emisión de positrones de sobrerreactividad de la DA estriatal para probar la eficacia de nuevos compuestos antipsicóticos dirigidos al receptor 1 asociado a las aminas traza (TAAR1). El objetivo es desarrollar un modelo murino de mayor capacidad de síntesis de la DA (Ki) presináptica en el cuerpo estriado y determinar si los antagonistas del TAAR1 disminuyen el Ki del cuerpo estriado en el modelo y en pacientes con un diagnóstico de esquizofrenia.
Objetivo
My research plan aims at generating an innovative chemogenetic/positron emission tomography (PET) imaging translational model of striatal dopamine (DA) over-reactivity, the most well-established pathophysiological mechanism underlying schizophrenia. I will use this platform to test the therapeutic efficacy of antipsychotic compounds with a totally new mechanism of action, i.e. targeting the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). Pre-clinical findings will have immediate translation to humans. I envisage a two-fold utility of this platform for the scientific community: 1) development of innovative therapeutic strategies for psychotic disorders; 2) ask fundamental questions about the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
A substantial share of patients treated with available antipsychotics do not respond and/or experience undesirable side effects. Available antipsychotics do not target the neurobiological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia symptoms, i.e. increased pre-synaptic DA synthesis capacity (Ki) in the striatum. They rather rely on blockade of DA receptors post-synaptically, possibly causing iatrogenic DA super-sensitivity. Therefore, there is a quest for improved therapeutic strategies, addressing DA over-reactivity. A novel target is represented by TAAR1, a G protein-coupled receptor that has been found to crosstalk with the DAergic system. Based on these premises, the objectives of this project are:
-Work package 1. To develop a chemogenetic translational mouse model of increased striatal Ki. We will use [18F]-FDOPA PET imaging to determine if selective manipulation of midbrain neuron firing increases Ki.
-Work package 2. To determine if TAAR1 agonists (TAAR1 toolbox) decrease striatal Ki in the model from WP1. We will ascertain whether TAAR1 is necessary for the effect on Ki, using TAAR1 knock-out (KO) mice.
-Work package 3. To determine whether TAAR1 toolbox modulate Ki in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, applying [18F]-FDOPA PET imaging.
Ámbito científico
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Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinador
SW7 2AZ LONDON
Reino Unido