Objective
To utilise the in vitro systems developed in BAP to clarify the mechanisms of action of compounds particularly analogues of endogenous neuroactive aminoacids with pharmacological and toxicological properties involved with brain cell synaptic functioning, proliferation and differentiation, in order to evaluate their potential as anticonvulsants; neuroprotective agents in excitotoxin-mediated neurodegenerative disease e.g. ischaemia and epilepsy; anti-gliosis agents and anticancer drugs; and their effects as causative agents in the processes of cytotoxicity, epilepogenicity and other convulsive states.
These investigations show that neural cell culture systems have important uses in identifying and screening compounds for toxic and beneficial properties. These methods are strengthened by emphasis on the elucidation of mechanisms of action. Competitive polymeracse chain reaction (PCR) technology has improved the sensitivity of the assay for low level fos expression. Studies on (hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)) (lindane (delta HCH)) and diazepam (DZ) showed similar effects on the Na release test at similar concentrations suggesting a relationship with their known central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity.
Inhibition of butylbicyclophosphothionate [(355) TBPS] binding by convulsant polychlorocycloalkanes (PCCAs) correlates with their lethal dose (LD 50) values.
This neurotechnological proposal provides a multi-disciplinary approach with input from biochemists, pharmacologists, molecular biologists, immunologists and toxicologists to develop and validate in-vitro neuronal and non-neuronal cell systems for use in screening and testing compounds in order to evaluate (1) their potential for use as anticonvulsants; neuroprotective agents in excitotoxin-mediated neurodegenerative disease e.g. ischaemia, epilepsy; anti-gliosis agents and anti-cancer drugs; and (2) their deleterious effect as causative agents in the processes of cytotoxicity, terato-genicity and epilepogenicity and other convulsive states. It builds on the expertise generated by the BAP contractors and the ELWW on 'In-vitro screening in Neurotoxicology and pharmacology using neural primary cultures and cell lines'. The cell systems will include human and rodent brain cell lines (neuroblastoma and glioma) rodent primary cultures (neurons and astrocytes) and the multicellular brain slice system. End- points to be evaluated include receptor mediated cytotoxicity; anti-proliferative index; differentiation gene markers and inhibition of synaptic function including neurotransmitter release, receptor occupancy, receptor-effector coupling and downstream signalling events. Systems will be evaluated for reproducibility, in-vitro/in-vivo correlations and activity predictions based on computer-assisted molecular structural modelling.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology epilepsy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Data not available
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
4 DUBLIN
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.