Pharmacological properties of selective MT1 receptor partial agonists in an animal model of bipolar disorder.

Preliminary data suggest a possible involvement of the melatonin MT1 but not MT2 receptor in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. The main objective of this short project is therefore to investigate at preclinical level whether the first selective MT1 receptor partial agonist to be synthesized (UCM871) can improve the bipolar symptomatology of the mice genetically modified for the Clock gene. This genetically modified mouse model is the one that today best represents the human bipolar pathology in mice. Furthermore, we will start to explore the possible neuronal mechanism of action of the novel drugs. For this purpose, we will use behavioral pharmacology tests that will allow us to evaluate the pharmacological effects of the novel drug on symptoms of mania measured as increased locomotor activity in the open field test. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Francis Bambico

Student:

Partner:

Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: