• role of central dopaminergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, serotonergic and adenosine receptors in Parkinson’s disease - animal models of progression of the diseases and its symptoms;
• role of dopaminergic, glutamatergic and adenosine receptors in animal models of psychotic disorders;
• neurotransmitter receptors and drug effects;
• the long-term effects of drug action;
• the neurotoxic effects of substances which may be responsible for Parkinson’s disease;
• the role of nitric oxide in models of Parkinson's disease;
• neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression in Parkinson's disease.

Behavioural:
- catalepsy, stereotypy and motility measurement;
- tests for motor coordination;
- rotational behaviour;
- muscle resistance to passive movements (mechanomyogram);
- prepulse inhibition of the startle response to an acoustic stimulus;
- tests for "depressive behaviour".

Biochemical:
- the characteristic and localization of receptors in brain structures;
- the autoradiography of receptor binding;
- in situ hybridization;
- computer image analysis (MCID system);
- ther Western blot;
- HPLC;
- microdialysis.

Stereotaxic:
- the implantation of chronic cannula into brain structures;
- microinjections into the brain;
- chemical lesions of the brain.

Electrophysiological:
- electromyogram (EMG).

Histological:
- immunohistochemistry;
- verification of brain lesions and microinjection sites;
- stereology.

The Department cooperates with:

the Medical University, Charite in Berlin (Germany)

- studies on the pathomechanism of Parkinson’s disease;

the Department of Toxicology, University of Cagliari (Italy)

- studies on the interaction between dopamine and adenosine receptors.

PhD Students:

Engineers, Technicians, and Other Employees: