Laboratory of Ultrastructural and Functional Neuroanatomy of the Synapse Research groups

The main research interest of our laboratory is to understand the interactions between the endocannabinoid system with excitatory and inhibitory systems controlling neuronal circuits recruited in the physiological processing of high brain functions. Cannabinoid receptors play important roles in the functioning of the central nervous system, the normal and pathological brain ageing as well as in the development and initiation of abnormal behaviours and brain disorders. Therefore, our final goal is to gain knowledge about how disruption of neural circuits leads to disease conditions. In particular, we are focused on the molecular organization of the components integrating the endocannabinoid system, and on the study of the anatomical and functional interplays between this system and classical membrane receptors at excitatory and inhibitory synapses in key brain regions involved in stress, addiction and epilepsy. Also, we are committed to the comprehensive characterization of neural ion channel and receptor kinetics in the brain, by focusing on the anatomical and functional characterization of the cannabinoid CB1 receptors in astrocytes and in mitochondria (mtCB1R) of brain cells. Because of the importance of CB1 receptors, this knowledge is essential for obtaining a realistic and accurate model of the brain.