University of Cagliari
Department of Biomedical Sciences
NAME: PAOLA FADDA
POSITION TITLE: Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
EDUCATION/TRAINING
| INSTITUTION AND LOCATION | DEGREE
(if applicable)
|
Completion Date
MM/YYYY
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FIELD OF STUDY
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| University of Cagliari
Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
|
Ph.D.
Postgraduate traineeship |
07/1987
1987/1988 |
Biological Science
Pharmacology |
- Personal Statement
In my career, I was first trained in biochemical pharmacology as a graduate student and postdoctoral fellow and have more recently begun performing behavioral studies on animal models of mental disorders and neuropharmacology. Initially, the major focus of my research was on the investigation of the mechanism of action of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs, along with the modulation of dopaminergic receptors in REM sleep deprivation and dopamine’s interaction with the opioid systems. Furthermore, since one of the major interests of my group is the study of neurobiology of drug abuse, I have also contributed to study the opioid, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems and their cross talk with the endocannabinoid system as well as their reciprocal role in the neurobiology of psychiatric diseases, with an emphasis on co-morbidities (i.e. anxiety, schizophrenia and drug dependence). Guided by this, part of my research has been directed towards the study of the behavioral and neurochemical modifications induced by the administration of drugs acting on the central cannabinoid system in rats and mice. Building on these interests, I also spent several months at Aberdeen University (Scotland) performing a research project focusing on the effects of cannabinoids on cognitive function in rats. Over the last few years I have also extended my interests on the involvement of the endocannabinoid system into the neurobiology of eating disorders and some of these studies have recently been published.
B. Positions and Honors
1989-1997 Researcher, Center of Neuropharmacology, National research Council (CNR) University of Cagliari, (Italy).
1997-2006 Assistant Professor, Dept of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari, (Italy).
2000-2012 Researcher affiliated with the Center of Excellence ‘Neurobiology of Addiction’ University of Cagliari, Italy
July 2003 – December 2003 Visiting Scientist, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen- Scotland UK
2006-present Associate Professor Dept. Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Cagliari, (Italy)
2012-present Coordinator of the First Cycle Degree (Bachelor) of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari (Italy)
2012- present Coordinator of the Second Cycle Degree (Master) Science of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari (Italy)
Other Experiences, Service, and Professional Memberships:
Member of Society for Neuroscience
Member International Cannabinoid Research Society
Member Italian Society of Pharmacology
Member Italian Society of Neuropharmacology
Member Mediterranean Society of Neuroscience
Honors:
1988-1989
Postgraduate Fellow (FIDIA Research Laboratories-Abano Terme) Department of Neuroscience, University of
Cagliari.
08/ 2003 to 12/ 2003
Research Fellow Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland UK
2004 – 2008
Research Assistant School of Medical Science (Biomedical Sciences), University of Aberdeen, Scotland UK
C. Contribution to Science
Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography:
D. Research Support
Active
2013-2016 Fratta (PI) Fadda (PI) University of Cagliari Department of Biomedical Sciences Project fund Role of the endocannabinoid system in drug dependence, psychiatric and eating disorders.
Role Principal Investigator: this study using multidisciplinary approaches was aimed at investigating the role of Endocannabinoid System in different central disease with particular attention to mood disorders , effects of drug of abuse and disorders related to food consumption.
2013-2015 Chiamulera (PI) University of Verona (banner Joint Projects 2012) New drugs of abuse: pharmacological investigations and characterization of methoxetamine, a recently introduced designer drug Role Co-investigator: the aim of the project is to characterize the neuropsychopharmacology profile of MXE as a drug of abuse. The hypothesis is that MXE shares addictive properties to KET.
2014-2015 Fadda (PI) Fondazione Banco di Sardegna (Bank of Sardinia Foundation) Assessment of the possible antidepressant effect of the PPAR alpha agonist clofibrate in animal models of depression and anxiety Role Principal Investigator: this study was aimed at investigating the antidepressant profile revealed by some PPAR alpha agonist to better understand their effects in the CNS.
Completed
2010-2012 Fratta (PI) Regional Council of Sardinia. Effects of PPAR-? on nicotine addiction Role Co-investigator: this study was designed to study the interactions between the PPAR-? and nicotine addiction.
2012-2013 Fratta (PI) Fondazione Banco di Sardegna (Bank of Sardinia Foundation). Possible role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiological processes responsible for Anorexia Nervosa Role Co-investigator: this project was designed at investigating whether experimentally induced Anorexia Nervosa cause significant alteration of the endocannabinoid system in brain areas important for the regulation of food intake and reward
2013-2014 Fadda (PI) Fondazione Banco di Sardegna (Bank of Sardinia Foundation). Possible role of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiological processes responsible for the eating disorder of Binge Eating Role Principal Investigator: principal aim of this study was to investigate the role of the endocannabinoid system in a experimentally induced eating disorders such Binge Eating Disorder