Neuroscience
The Neurosciences Program has extensive experience in the study of the most prevalent and disabling neurodegenerative diseases with dementia and movement disorders.
Our research focuses on the study of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and treatment-resistant epilepsies. Currently these diseases do not have therapies capable of curing or delaying their evolution and represent a serious public health problem.
We have advanced technology for the genomic study of these diseases and can analyze genetic alterations and risk factors associated with poor response to drugs. At the same time, we have other cutting-edge techniques to develop specific animal models of the disease that have led to the design of new treatments and the generation of several patents.
The program is made up of a multidisciplinary team of expert biologists, biochemists, physicians, pharmacists, engineers, psychologists, bioinformaticians, etc. The constant interaction with the professionals of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra allows us to develop high impact projects that can reach patients as soon as possible. This translational work is reflected in our participation in the early phases of clinical trials.
Program researchers are members of the Center for Biomedical Research Network on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CiberNed). Due to their recognized trajectory, they maintain extensive national and international collaborations that promote the exchange of resources and technology, and enrich the training of students and predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
The renowned research work of the program is reflected in the funding received by various national and international agencies such as the Michael J Fox Foundation, Hereditary Disease Foundation, European Research Council or the European Commission (7th Framework Program). Another fundamental pillar is the support received from donors and other fundraising initiatives.
Dr. Miguel Valencia Ustárroz
GROUP LEADER
+34 948 194 700 | Ext. 81 2007 | |
mvustarroz@unav.es |
Objectives of the Neuroscience Research Program
Neurodegenerative process
Cellular mechanisms, molecular basis and synaptic alterations of cognitive and motor impairment in neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors.
New therapeutic targets
Advanced therapies, especially gene therapy, aimed at restoring the function of genes altered in the course of the disease.
Identify biomarkers
Early diagnosis, evolutionary signs and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors.
Neuronal damage mechanisms
To investigate the involvement of glia and the peripheral immune system in neuronal death and brain tumors.
Cutting-edge research
Gene therapy
The Cima Neurosciences Program has developed a gene therapy vector capable of attenuating cell death of dopamine-producing neurons, a characteristic substance in Parkinson's disease. To achieve this goal, they have implemented cutting-edge Parkinsonian experimental models in the biomedical field.
This research has led to the participation of Cima in the constitution of Handl Therapeutics, an emerging biotechnology company specialized in the development of gene therapy to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Our research groups
We seek to offer therapeutic alternatives that improve the quality of life of patients
Parkinson's disease
We deepen our knowledge of the origin and development of this disease in order to design early diagnosis strategies and new therapies to prevent or delay the disease.
Alzheimer's disease
We investigate the pathophysiological basis of cognitive impairment in this disease in order to identify new therapeutic targets and develop treatments to slow or halt its progression.
Epilepsy
We study genetic alterations and risk factors associated with drug-resistant epilepsies in order to achieve alternatives to reduce epileptic seizures and improve the quality of life of patients.
FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE PATIENT
Cutting-edge translational research
Our mission is to achieve new treatments that improve the prognosis of these neurological diseases, so we work in close collaboration with the Neurology Department of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra so that our research reaches patients as soon as possible.
Genetic study
We use massive sequencing techniques to investigate genetic alterations associated with childhood epilepsy and migraine in adults.
Multidisciplinary research
We combine cellular and animal models with studies in patients, taking a global approach through extensive complementary tests.
Patents
Our research has led to the development of drugs and new therapies subject to patents in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and some epilepsy.
Would you like to help us?
Thanks to the generosity of many people, the Cima Universidad de Navarra is a reality that strives to offer therapeutic solutions to achieve personalized medicine for patients.
Meet the research team
Scientific activity of the
Neuroscience Research Program
Latest scientific publications
- Cholinergic midbrain afferents modulate striatal circuits and shape encoding of action strategies Apr 8, 2020 | Magazine: Nature Communications
- Epilepsy and neuropsychiatric comorbidities in mice carrying a recurrent Dravet syndrome SCN1A missense mutation Oct 2, 2019 | Magazine: Scientific Reports