ABOUT US
The Addiction Biology research group, integrated in the Neurobiology and Neurologic Disorders Program (NNDP), at i3S, University of Porto.
We explore the neuronal and behavioural consequences of exposure to psychoactive substances. We aim to gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms by which exposure to specific psychoactive substances induce long lasting changes in brain function, leading to drug abuse and regulating addictive behaviour.
We are currently testing two major complementary hypothesis:
i) Psychostimulant exposure regulates the function of cytoskeletal-related proteins, which will affect neuronal morphology and impact
on important behavioural components;
ii) Psychostimulants modulate the crosstalk between different brain cells (neurons, astrocytes and microglia), leading to neuroinflammation and long lasting changes in brain function that may persist at withdrawal and impair treatment strategies.
Both research lines target the identification of new, promising and innovative therapeutic approaches, that may contribute to reduce relapse rates and improve treatment for addiction.
Simultaneously, we are strongly committed with contributing to reduce drug abuse among the adolescent population through actively engaging in education, science communication and policy making.
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