Molecular neuropharmacology and drug discovery
A key focus of Aberdeen neuroscientists is on the chemicals that modify central nervous system function (Neuropharmacology). These drugs have the potential to treat a wide range of disorders including depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease and the scientists involved in this research are listed in this and other Aberdeen neuroscience categories. Neuropharmacological research in Aberdeen makes use of unique chemicals derived from exotic species such as marine sponges or employs unusual model species such as the Siberian hamster while the neurobiology of the common tick is studied to develop drugs against these arachnids. Development of novel markers of oxidative stress may provide new techniques to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease and understand the pathogenesis of these disorders.
Shortened general structure of an alkyl-pyridinium salt found in preparations of sponge toxins. Control cells (blue-low Ca2+) loaded with the Ca2+ -sensitive dye fura-2, Cells exposed to a sponge toxin preparation (yellow-red) that produces pores in the cell membrane and thus Ca2+ influx (Scott)