SVIBOR - Project code: 1-08-114

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

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Project code: 1-08-114


Pathophysiology and Genetics of Serotonin in the Mammalian Organism


Main researcher: JERNEJ, BRANIMIR (92434)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/93.
Papers on project (total): 89
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 25
Institution name: Institut "Ruđer Bošković", Zagreb (98)
Department/Institute: Laboratory of neurochemistry and molecular neurobiology, Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
Address: Bijenička c. 54
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (1) 4561 150
Fax: 385 (1) 425-647
E-mail: jernej¦olimp.irb.hr
Summary: The main part of the research on this Project has been directed towards studies on the elements of the platelet serotonin (5HT) system as an important peripheral model for the central serotonergic mechanisms. Studies are being performed on both experimental (rat and cat model) and clinical (healthy volunteers and psychiatric patients) levels. Various aspects of physiology, patophysiology, and pharmacology of the platelet 5HT elements: granular serotonin, serotonin transporter and enzyme monoamine oxydase have been studied. Genetic research resulted in development of the original genetic model - sublines of Wistar rats with constitutionally high/low level of platelet serotonin.Studies on this model represent a base for international projects lead by our Laboratory. Studies on the level of gene expression for serotonin transporter (mRNA) have recently started. Another important neurobiological model in our research represents cat cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In the course of this project, some relevant aspects of CSF physiology have been investigated.

Keywords: serotonin, 5-HT, platelet serotonin, cerebrospinal fluid, serotonin genetics, serotonin transporter,serotonin receptors, monoamine oxidase, neuropsychopharmacology, schizophrenia

Research goals: Analyses of platelet serotonergic parameters and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are performed in clinical studies in order to get better insight into processes of neurotransmission in the inaccessible human brain tissue. Little is known, however,about mechanisms that control platelet serotonergic measures in physiological conditions; also some fundamental concepts in the physiology of CSF seem to be only partly understood. For the correct interpretation of clinical data more informations from animal models are needed. The research in this project is aimed at the study of three serotonin compartments: platelet, brain and CSF in experimental animals (rat, cat). The first objective are (patho)physiological and genetic studies on platelet serotonin system in rats by two original approaches developed in this laboratory: the experimental model for "ex vivo" monitoring of platelet 5HT parameters in the rat and the genetic model of Wistar-derived rats with altered platelet 5HT measures. The other objective of the project are studies on central serotonergic mechanisms:either direct on brain tissue or indirect by studying of serotonergic parameters in CSF. In addition to afford better understanding of basic (patho)physiological and genetic mechanisms controlling serotonin homeostasis in the experimental animal, results of this research should produce benefits in the clinical field, increasing the knowledge on various serotoninrelated pathologies.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS


  1. Name of project: Peripheral models of brain neurotransmitter function: studies on extra- and intra- cellular serotonin in blood
    Name of institution: Commision of the European Communities, reviewed in 1992. with score 1 (outstanding)
    City: Barcelona, Španjolska

  2. Name of project: Peripheral models of brain neurotransmitter function: studies on platelet serotonin system in schizophrenia
    Name of institution: Croatian Institute for Brain Research
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  3. Name of project: Serotonin and im mune functions: studies in rats after pharmacologic and genetic manipulation of serotonin homeostasis
    Name of institution: Joint research with Prof. dr. Konrad Schauenstein, University of Graz, Austria
    City: Graz, Austrija

  4. Name of project: 5HT transporter: studies of gene structure and expression in rodent model developed through directed selection
    Name of institution: Joint research with Dr. Randy Blakely, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
    City: Nashville, USA

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo, C.S.I.C.
    Type of institution: State institute
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Barcelona, Španjolska

  2. Name of institution: Hrvatski zavod za transfuzijsku medicinu
    Type of institution: State institute
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: Zagreb, Hrvatska

  3. Name of institution: Klinička psihijatrijska bolnica Vrapče
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Zagreb, Hrvatska

  4. Name of institution: Hematološki odjel Interne klinike, Klinička bolnica "Merkur"
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of information
    City: Zagreb, Hrvatska

  5. Name of institution: Klinika za traumatologiju
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of information
    City: Zagreb, Hrvatska

  6. Name of institution: Zavod za farmakologiju Medicinskog fakulteta
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information
    City: Zagreb, Hrvatska

  7. Name of institution: Institut fuer allgemeine und experimentelle Pathologie
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Graz, Austrija

  8. Name of institution: Vanderbilt University
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Nashville, USA

  9. Name of institution: Universitaet Wuerzburg
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of experts
    City: Wuerzburg, Njemačka

  10. Name of institution: Institut fuer Physiologische Chemie
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers
    City: Mainz, Njemačka

  11. Name of institution: Universitaets Klinik Freiburg
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of experts
    City: Freiburg, Njemačka

  12. Name of institution: Hrvatski institut za istraživanje mozga
    Type of institution: State institute
    Type of cooperation: Joint project
    City: Zagreb, Hrvatska
Other information about the project.
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