Members
The Center for Neuroscience Coimbra
Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
3004-517 - Coimbra
Portugal
+351 239 820 190
cunharod@gmail.com
Job opportunities
Neurochemistry/Electrophysiology
The Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC) Coimbra
Research Area
Neuromodulation by adenosine and ATP in hippocampus and neuromuscular junction. Extracellular formation and inactivation of adenosine. Adenosine and ATP receptors: expression, binding characteristics, coupling to transducing systems, desensitisation. Role of kainate receptors and free fatty acids in neuromodulation and neurotoxicity. Ageing, hypoxia, epilepsy, learning and memory.
Publications
A. Köfalvi, M.F. Pereira, N. Rebola, R.J. Rodrigues, C.R. Oliveira and R.A. Cunha(2007):Functional evidence for a novel bi-directional modulation of Ca2+ levels and transmitter release by hybrid endocannabinoid/endovanilloid substances in hippocampal nerve terminals..British Journal of Pharmacology:151(4):551-563
J.M.N. Duarte, R.A. Cunha, K. Mackie, C.R. Oliveira, R.A. Carvalho, and A. Köfalvi(2007):Increase of Cannabinoid CB1 receptor density in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats..Experimental Neurology:204(1):479-484
Rebola N, Sachidhanandam S, Perrais D, Cunha RA, Mulle C (2007):Short-term plasticity of kainate receptor-mediated EPSCs induced by NMDA receptors at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses..J Neurosci:27:3987-3993.
A. Köfalvi, R.J. Rodrigues, C. Ledent, K. Mackie, E.S. Vizi, R.A. Cunha and B. Sperlágh(2005):Involvement of cannabinoid receptors in the regulation of neurotransmitter release in the rodent striatum: a combined immunochemical and pharmacological analysis..The Journal of Neuroscience:25(11):2874–2884
Lopes, L.V., Halldner, L., Rebola, N., Johansson, B., Ledent, C., Chen, J.F., Fredholm, B.B., Cunha, R.A. (2004):Binding of the prototypical adenosine A2A receptor agonist, CGS 21680, to the cerebral cortex of adenosine A1 and A2A receptor knockout mice..British Journal of Pharmacology:141, 1006-1014
Alfaro, T.M., Vigia, E., Oliveira, C.R., Cunha, R.A. (2004):Effect of free radicals on adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum of young and aged rats..Neurochemistry International (in press):
Cunha, R.A., Ribeiro, J.A., Malva, J.O. (2004):Presynaptic kainate receptors modulating glutamatergic transmission in the rat hippocampus are inhibited by arachidonic acid..Neurochemistry International:44, 371-379.
Almeida, T., Rodrigues, R.J., de Mendonça A., Ribeiro, J.A., Cunha, R.A. (2003):Purinergic P2 receptors trigger adenosine release leading to adenosine A2A receptor activation and facilitation of long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal slices..Neuroscience:122, 111-121.
Rebola, N., Pinheiro, P.C., Oliveira, C.R., Malva, J.O., Cunha, R.A. (2003):Subcellular localization of adenosine A1 receptors in nerve terminals and synapses of the rat hippocampus..Brain Research:987, 49-58.
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