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Sâmia Joca

Joca Lab - Translational Neuropharmacology

How pscyhoactive drugs affect our brain to regulate mood, motivation and cognitive aspects associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety)? How can we use this information to understand disease neurobiology and foster the development of improved therapeutic for mental disorders?

These are some of the questions that our group is trying to answer. Our research focus is the mechanism of action of psychoactive drugs, primarly antidepressants, examining how these unique molecules influence neural plasticity, stress responses, and emotional regulation. We are particularly interested in understanding how lipid mediators, such as endocannabinoids, affect neuroplasticity and behavior.

We use translational approaches combining animal models of stress-related psychiatric disorders, in vitro models for drug testing (primary and immortalized cell cultures), molecular biology methods for protein and mRNA quantification, evaluation of drug-receptor interactions, neurochemical analysis (neurotransmitters and lipid mediators), and microscopy (immunofluorescence, confocal). We collaborate with different groups at Aarhus University and abroad to tackle our research questions with different methodological approaches and perspectives.

News


Parkinson-like movement disability can result from dysfunction in an ancient motor circuit in the brainstem

Top panel: Low magnification view of the junction of pons and cerebellum, with the location of gigantocellular neurons in pons pointed by the yellow arrow. Bottom panel: High magnification view of the same region with neurons (shown in cyan) along with aggregated alpha-Synuclein within the cell body and axonal process of a gigantocellular neuron (shown in green).
- Research

New research suggests that Parkinson's disease-related neurological dysfunction begins years before diagnosis. A promising disease model links early…

DANDRITE hosts new international symposium on brain's molecular mechanisms

- Events

For the first time in DANDRITE’s history, our group leaders will host a major international symposium showcasing some of the center’s outstanding…

Novo Nordisk Foundation honours MBG-researchers for excellence in science education

Magnus Kjærgaard (back right) together with his two colleagues Gregers Rom Andersen (middle left) and Ditlev Egeskov Brodersen (front) Photo: Flemming Leitorp/Novo Nordisk Fonden
- Grants and awards

DANDRITE Senior Group Leader Magnus Kjærgaard is among three lecturers from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics who are being honoured…