Neuromed protagonist at the X Congress on mGlu

The work of the 10th Congress on Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors (mGlu), one of the very first international scientific events to take place in Italy after the pandemic, has closed in Taormina. After the first three oral presentations of the initial days, Neuromed researchers from the Neuropharmacology Unit exhibited further research work that embraced innovative perspectives for several and important neurological pathologies. This was announced in a press release from the Neuromed center in Pozzilli (Is). The poster by Tiziana Imbriglio and Milena Cannella focused on the mGlu 5 receptor, particularly important for the development of the nervous system as it intervenes in the formation of synapses and in the growth of neurons. Through a study conducted on animal models, it was possible to observe how the absence of mGlu5 influences another receptor, called Nmda, during the early stages of development. Precisely these alterations could be important for a greater understanding of psychiatric pathologies such as schizophrenia. Again the mGlu5 receptor at the center of another work presented by Luisa Di Menna, in particular the role it plays in animal models of autism. Research has focused on receptor expression especially in the brain areas involved in this pathology, i.e. the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum. An in-depth study of the physiopathological molecular mechanisms of autism-related alterations represents the first step towards a more in-depth understanding of this pathology that is not yet fully understood. there is no definitive therapy, but only treatments capable of slowing its progression. In addition to motor symptoms, with difficulties in movement and balance, patients can also present cognitive symptoms, capable of heavily influencing their life. The research presented by Francesca Liberatore and Nico Antenucci has explored, on animal models, the possibility of improving cognitive deficit through drugs capable of acting on type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors. . In particular those of type 2 and type 3, according to the work presented by Carla Busceti, are involved in the responses to methamphetamine, with different roles. The research showed that the pharmacological blockade of mGlu 2 receptors or the activation of type 3 receptors could be a good strategy for the development of innovative therapies for the treatment of addictions. most common form of pediatric epilepsy. In particular, the work explored the action of a new experimental drug that acts through an effect on mGlu3 receptors, which has been shown to be able, in animal models, to reduce the number of these crises. Francesco Fornai, Full Professor of Anatomy at the University of Pisa and Head of the Neurobiology Unit of Movement Disorders of the Neuromed, finally gave an oral presentation on the neuronal toxicity caused by a well-known substance of abuse: methamphetamine, whose effects toxic are based on the action that the drug has on dopamine, an important neurotransmitter.