CO9: Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology

This research group at the University of Cádiz, led by Dr. Esther Berrocoso Domínguez, focuses its research on the field of neuropsychopharmacology. Specifically, it is engaged in R&D of innovative new drugs for the treatment of various diseases of the central nervous system: antidepressants, analgesics, antipsychotics, pro-cognitive drugs, etc.

In addition, the members of this group are responsible for studying the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the interaction between opioids and monoamines in order to identify new therapeutic targets and innovative drugs for the treatment of pain and depressive disorders. Another objective of these researchers is to analyze biomarkers related to chronic pain, depression, and psychosis or schizophrenia using transgenic animals.

The group has extensive experience researching natural products (including marine-derived compounds) as potential psychotropic drugs and/or analgesics. Similarly, this INiBICA group is studying the efficacy and mechanisms of action of antidepressants in treating pain associated with depression and other conditions, such as neuropathic pain.

Responsible researcher

Esther Berrocoso Domínguez:
- E-mail: esther.berrocoso@uca.es
- ORCID: 0000-0003-0208-7242

Co-Principal Investigator

Lidia Bravo García:
- E-mail: lidia.bravo@uca.es
- ORCID: 0000-0002-4733-242X

Lines of research

Line 1: Biomarkers of treatment response in bipolar disorder.
Line 2: Neurobiology of the comorbidity of chronic pain and affective disorders.
Line 3: Mechanism of Action of Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Treatment-Resistant Mood Disorders.
Line 4: Neurobiology and the search for biomarkers in mental illnesses.
Line 5: Research on the Mechanism of Action of Drugs and Active Substances on the Central Nervous System.
Line 6: Research and development of new molecules of natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic origin with potential activity on the central nervous system.
Line 7: Drug Addiction and Alcoholism.

Keywords

# Pain
# Depression
# Schizophrenia
# Deep Brain Stimulation
# Neuropsychopharmacology
# Antidepressants

CO9: Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology

Responsible researcher

Esther Berrocoso Domínguez:

Professor at the University of Cádiz.

E-mail: esther.berrocoso@uca.es
ORCID: 0000-0003-0208-7242

Co-Principal Investigator

Lidia Bravo García:

Assistant Professor at the University of Cádiz.

E-mail: lidia.bravo@uca.es
ORCID: 0000-0002-4733-242X

Members of the Team

Principal Investigators:
- Esther Berrocoso Domínguez (PI).
- Lidia Bravo García (Co-IR).
Researchers:
- Sergio Arrieta Riquet.
- Irene Suárez Pereira.
- María Hidalgo Figueroa.
- Meritxell Llorca Torralba.
- Sonia Torres Sánchez.
- Belén Gutiérrez Baena.
- Daniele Fusco.
- Tomás de la Rosa Macías.
- Anaid Pérez Ramos.
- María del Carmen Camarena Delgado.
- Patricia Mariscal Ramírez.
- Adrián Martínez Cortés.
- Alejandro Torrillas de la Cal.
- José Antonio García Partida.
- Elena Marín Álvarez.
- Patricia Nevado Ballmann.
- Madalena Piteira.
- Alejandra Delgado Sequera.
- Ms. Cecilia Muñoz.