MISSION

We work towards understanding the mechanisms of neuroglial communication and neuroprotection in neural pathologies. Our main investigation focus is Autism.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a wide range of conditions that affect the language pattern and expression and the sociability capacity of human beings. In addition, it's also characterized for a stereotyped and repetitive extent of behaviours and actions. From the last epidemiological studies, the prevalence of autism has been estimated to be around 1% in our society. Thus, it's urgent the concentration of efforts in autism research. Our group aims to reach significant breakthroughs for the ethiology, characterization and treatment of this pathology.

We use a translational approach to reach this objective. Biochemistry, molecular biology and bioinformatic techniques are applied to an animal model induced by valproic acid (VPA) and to patient samples.
We mainly study the the following topics:
- Use of natural compounds to prevent or revert the actions of VPA in the VPA model of autism in rats.

- Understanding the neuroimmune development in the model and how it can be affected by the VPA.

- Investigation of the brain alterations triggered by VPA that lead to an excitation/inhibition imbalance.

- Searching biomarkers of disease in patients with autism based in alterations found in microRNA present in the animal model.
- Studying interactions between drugs used to treat autism's comorbidities and its receptors by using bioinformatics, and generating new delivery systems to them.