The research of the Department of Neurological Diseases and Aging focuses on the study of neurological diseases, with the aim of identifying pathogenic mechanisms, new therapeutic targets and neuroprotective strategies. The different groups address the challenge of advancing our knowledge of neurological diseases, whether of genetic origin or not, independent or age-related, or due to acute or chronic damage. To this end, they apply multidisciplinary research ranging from molecules and cells to whole organisms, providing the appropriate knowledge needed for both fundamental and translational investigation.
The research groups of the Department of Neurological Diseases and Aging are grouped in two main lines: Neuropathologies and Preclinical Neuroimaging. The former addresses the challenge of understanding the integral changes that occur in different neurological diseases in order to develop therapies and neuroprotective strategies that improve the lives of patients. Researches range from genetic neurodevelopmental diseases to age-associated pathologies such as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Highlight studies focus on Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and ALS diseases, tauopathies, ischemia, the action of thyroid hormones on the central nervous system, hydrocephalus and the SINO syndrome.
In the neuroimaging line cutting edge imaging techniques are used, including a recently awarded and unique MRI-PET equipment in the CSIC and the UAM, to advance in the knowledge of human pathologies from the study in animal models that allow the identification of biomarkers. To underline in this line the study of glioblastoma multiforme, neuroinflammation and the analysis of the global energy balance in the brain stand out.
Scientific collaborations with researchers from other national and international research centers are also traditional, allowing the knowledge generated to be shared, as well as with clinical researchers, which favors and enhances its translation to the clinical setting.