Research Group on Psychobiology of Drug Dependence

Description

Our research is focused on the neurobiological mechanisms of addictive disorders, specifically the environmental factors that influence cocaine-associated psychiatric comorbidities (including stress) and their impact on the different stages of development (prenatal, infancy, adolescence and adulthood), as well as gender differences. Cocaine remains the second most commonly used illicit drug in Europe, and levels of cocaine use are particularly high in Spain. The age at which initial consumption takes place is of special significance, as well as the environmental/epigenetic factors that modulate an overt clinical phenotype of cocaine addiction. Chronic consumption of cocaine can lead not only to addiction but also to several associated disorders, including psychiatric complications (depression, psychosis, attentional deficits/hyperactivity and anxiety disorders.

Cocaine remains the second most widely used illicit drug in Europe and levels of cocaine use are particularly high in Spain.

The age at which initial use takes place is of particular importance, as are the environmental/epigenetic factors that modulate the clinical phenotype of cocaine addiction. Chronic cocaine use can lead not only to addiction, but also to several associated disorders, including psychiatric complications (depression, psychosis, attention deficit/hyperactivity and anxiety disorders).

As part of our work, we develop animal models for translational research in humans. In addition, we assess the influence of cannabis, alcohol, heroin and MDMA use on the occurrence of comorbid disorders in cocaine addiction. Our specific objectives are:

a. To identify the neurobiological substrates underlying the increase in drug seeking triggered by social stress (brief and repeated social defeat), as numerous studies indicate that different types of physical and social stress are risk factors in the onset, escalation and relapse of psychostimulant use.

b. To identify the contribution of individual traits underlying the propensity for drug addiction, such as a high novelty-seeking phenotype

c. To study the long-term effects of drug use in adolescence, as this is a critical period in the maturation and final development of the CNS.

d. To study the neurobiological mechanisms of relapse in order to understand addictive disorders as a chronic and persistent disease.

We are currently working in collaboration with other groups of the Addictive Disorders Network (RTA), specifically with Dr. Consuelo Guerri, Dr. Jorge Manzanares, Dr. Olga Valverde, Dr. María L. Laorden, Dr. Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca and Dr. Paz Viveros. We have the following behavioural procedures in our laboratory: conditioned place preference (CPP), self-administration (SA), open field, elevated maze, water maze, active and passive avoidance boxes, ethopharmacological evaluation system (social interaction), prepulse inhibition (PPI), recognition test, computerised measurement of motor activity. The following neurochemical techniques are also frequently used in our research: high-precision liquid chromatography system to detect catecholamines in brain tissue; western blot to determine monoamine transporters; corticosterone and ELISA determination.

Goals CT

Biological and environmental variables in the development, prevention and treatment of addictive disorders.

Research lines

Neurobiology of cocaine addiction
Study of the biological and environmental factors involved in cocaine addiction. Study of different neurotransmitter systems on the reinforcing effects of cocaine. Influence of environmental factors, exposure to stress (physical, social or psychological) or personality.
Gender differences in the impact of environmental factors facilitating psychiatric co-morbidity in drug addicts
Study of sex differences in the different processes of drug addiction and in the presence and manifestation of dual pathology.
Psychobiology of MDMA dependence
This line studies the neurobiological and environmental factors involved in the development of MDMA dependence and, especially, in relapse after a period of abstinence.
Preclinical studies in dual pathology
Search for vulnerability and prevention factors in the development of psychiatric disorders and addiction to substances of abuse.

Management