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Luca Ferraro

2 papers in the library · 29 citations · publishing 2014-2021

Papers

Serotonin Heteroreceptor Complexes and Their Integration of Signals in Neurons and Astroglia—Relevance for Mental Diseases

Cells July 27, 2021 Dasiel O Borroto-Escuela, Patrizia Ambrogini, Manuel Narváez et al. 29 citations

Heteroreceptor complexes represent a new biological principle for signal integration in the brain, with bidirectional allosteric receptor–receptor interactions offering novel targets for treating CNS diseases, including mental disorders. The existence of D2R-5-HT2AR heterocomplexes can explain the anti-schizophrenic effects of atypical antipsychotics through blocking the allosteric enhancement of D2R signaling by 5-HT2AR activation. This principle also helps understand mechanisms of 5-HT hallucinogens like psilocybin and the prosocial, anti-stress actions of MDMA. GalR1-GalR2 heterodimers and putative GalR1-GalR2-5-HT1 complexes are targets for galanin fragment Gal(1–15) in modulating emotional networks. Antidepressant drugs, including TCAs, SSRIs, and ketamine, can directly bind to the TrkB receptor, providing a novel mechanism for their actions. Astrocytes and their allosteric receptor–receptor interactions in modulating forebrain glutamate synapses are relevant to major depressive disorder research.

DOI: 10.3390/cells10081902 (opens in new tab) Neuroscience Relevance law Biology Psychology +2

Alterations of prefrontal cortex GABAergic transmission in the complex psychotic-like phenotype induced by adolescent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in rats.

Neurobiology of Disease March 1, 2014 Erica Zamberletti, Sarah Beggiato, Luca Steardo et al.

Adolescent exposure to THC in female rats leads to long-lasting behavioral changes in adulthood, including memory deficits, social withdrawal, altered emotional reactivity, and heightened sensitivity to the effects of PCP. These changes are accompanied by reduced levels of the enzyme GAD67 and the neurotransmitter GABA in the prefrontal cortex, as well as increased glutamate and cFos activity in the prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum. The findings suggest that adolescent THC exposure may contribute to the development of psychotic-like behaviors later in life.

DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.10.028 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Adolescent THC Treatment Behavior Gaba Gad67 +2