Research

• The development of molecular probes to study inflammation and other biological processes.

• Design and Development, Testing of New or repurposed Molecular Imaging ProbesTo explore neuropeptide receptors in the brain, and novel ways of delivery through the nasal path, with therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders.

• Preclinical Imaging and animal studies:

  • We perform preclinical studies in neurodevelopmental models of autism (as in Gonçalves et al, 2017, funded by FLAD prize) and neurodegenerative disorders (prize by S. Casa Prize).
  • Our strategy encompasses the use of animal models of the same diseases that are investigated in humans, using the same techniques (multimodal and multiorgan imaging), and testing the same biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.

• Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of novel treatment agents in several disease models (excitation vs. inhibition CNS modulators, Neuropeptide action). We focus on the effects of drugs modulating excitation/inhibition ratios, neuropeptides and their action through different delivery mechanisms (with a focus on nasal delivery and mechanisms of entry through the Blood Brain Barrier).

• Neuroimaging in neurodevelopmental and ageing disorders

  • To work on Vision, Perception and Decision-making research streams:

1. Normal Ageing: Cognitive Models and Neuroimaging.
2. Neurodegenerative Disorders with a focus of mechanisms of disease, impaired neurotransmission and neurophysiology.
3. Neurodevelopmental Disorders with a similar focus on multimodal explanatory approaches, in terms of excitation vs. inhibition balance.
4. Cortical plasticity in the maturing and adult brain: implications for neurorehabilitation.
5. Neuropsychiatric disorders, with a focus on decision-making and cognitive control.

• Neuroengineering and Medical Device (BCI) development

  • To generate interdisciplinary work with scientists working in the field of cognitive neuroscience, neurology, medical imaging neuroinformatics and neuroengineering, anchored on our national and international collaborations as proof of concept works showing the effectiveness of brain computer interfaces and neurofeedback in normal and neurological populations.

• To further understand biological mechanisms and to identify diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of clinical utility.
• To use a dual strategy, by targeting in a focused manner synaptic networks (hypothesis driven approach) and by combining neuroimaging methods with detailed biological information
• Multivariate biomarker exploration and validation with integrative multimodal approaches will allow for a systems level strategy. Combining target engagement and robustly characterized disease-related measures will improve pathophysiological understanding, and may help personalize treatment selection.

• Focus on Medical Device and Radiopharmaceutical Clinical Validation Platforms.
• To promote technology transfer of molecular imaging approaches.
• We manage several national infrastructures with research agreements with companies.
• Biomarker validation tests for clinical applications (validation of multivariate markers, by developing distinct software modules), neurorehabilitation software/hardware.
• Prototype for molecular imaging in animals.
• Investigator driven trials approved in the fields of medical devices and radiopharmaceuticals

Research contracts and agreements

• Industry both in which concerns R&D (IBA, Siemens, Icnas-Produção) and Clinical trials (Biogen, Roche, Merck, PPDA, and others).
• Investigator driven trials approved in the fields of Medical Devices (EU projects STIPED and BRAINTRAIN) and Radipharmaceuticals.
• Spinning off activities (PetSys and LIP for development of a new PET scanners for animals and humans).

PATENTS

• Process for producing Gallium-68 through the irradiation of a solution target. A Abrunhosa, V Alves, F Alves. US Patent App. US20190013108A1. Submited. 2019.

• Non-invasive system for measuring the arterial input function for PET imaging. Caramelo, F. et al. International Patent App. WO2018150348. Submited. 2018.

• Process for producing gallium-68 through the irradiation of a solution target. VH Alves, F Alves and AJ Abrunhosa. EP3101660A1. Accepted 09/08/2017

• Bernardes et al. have a European patent on statistical classifiers applied to optical coherence data as biomarkers for central neurodegenerative disorders.

• P2020-PTDC/CTM-NAN/2658/2014 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016648), Dual nanostructured lipid carriers as a multifunctional platform for brain tumor therapy (submitted)

• BrainEyes – A new method to test colour vision with low cost hardware for glaucoma diagnosis.

Marketing Authorizations

• Fluodesoxiglucose [18F] UC
• DOTA-NOC [68G] UC
• Fluoreto de Sódio [18F] UC
• Fluorocolina [18F] UC
• PSMA [68Ga] UC