{"id":653,"date":"2018-12-19T20:06:53","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T20:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.uthscsa.edu\/pharmacology\/?page_id=653"},"modified":"2018-12-19T20:06:53","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T20:06:53","slug":"andrea-giuffrida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lsom.uthscsa.edu\/pharmacology\/cross-appointed-faculty\/andrea-giuffrida\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrea Giuffrida, Ph. D."},"content":{"rendered":"

Vice President for Research<\/span><\/h3>\n

Professor of Pharmacology<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ph.D., University of Catania (Italy)<\/span>
\nOffice:<\/strong> 210-567-4219<\/span>
\nEmail:<\/strong> giuffrida@uthscsa.edu<\/span>
\n 
\nResearch Interests<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\u2022 cannabinoid<\/span><\/td>\n\u2022 anandamide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u2022 dopamine<\/span><\/td>\n\u2022 Parkinson disease<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u2022 schizophrenia \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n\u2022 dyskinesias<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Research Activities<\/b>
\nMy laboratory is interested in the role played by the endocannabinoid system in regulating psychomotor functions. The endocannabinoids are a family of naturally occurring lipids that mimic the effects of marijuana by stimulating cannabinoid receptors and other ligands expressed in the brain areas that are critical for the regulation of motor behaviors. The endocannabinoids can also serve as an inhibitory feedback signal to counteract dopamine-induced motor activation. Our studies indicate that the endocannabinoid system may represent a new pharmacological target for the treatment of diseases characterized by dysregulation of dopamine transmission, such as Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.<\/span>
\nWe integrate biochemistry and behavioral pharmacology to study endocannabinoid transmission in animal models of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Our laboratory also investigates new harmacotherapies to alleviate levodopa-induced dyskinesias, a disabling motor complication experienced by Parkinsonian patients undergoing dopamine replacement treatment.<\/span>
\nAccomplishments, Awards and Honors \u2022<\/b><\/p>\n