Basic Sciences

Head

Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast, MD, PhD, Professor of pharmacology is a notable Iranian pharmacologist and biomedical researcher. Professor Zarrindast is known as an Iranian Neuropsychopharmacologist in the world and he has published more than 300 research papers in peer-reviewed international journals. His main research field is basic behavioral studies related to abusive substances. He is Deputy for Research at INCAs and Director of Department for Basic Sciences at INCAS.

Staff

Members:

Nasim Vousooghi, Pharm D, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology

Nima Babhadiashar, MD, PhD, Toxicologist

Khosrou Abdi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Pharmacy

Atena Shakeri, MS, Chemist

Mitra-Sadat Sadat-Shirazi, PhD Student of Neuroscience

 

Collaborators:

Monir Fekri, PhD, Toxicologist

Ghorbangol Ashabi, PhD, Physiologist

Mehran Vosough, Veterinarian

 

Vision

Organizing a comprehensive structure for basic sciences studies related to substance use which can provide the required basic knowledge and promote prevention and treatment approaches for researcher within the country and across the world

Objectives

  • Studies on genetic patterns of addiction in the Iranian population
  • Detection of molecular and genetic mechanisms of addiction and applying them in prevention and treatment
  • Finding responsible mechanisms for genetic modulation from one generation to another
  • Conducting basic-applied research on different regions of the brain in addiction through animal models
  • Designing new methods for extraction of narcotics and stimulants from biological samples
  • Detection of minimum concentration of narcotics and stimulants in biological samples
  • Promotion of research methods in this area

Research Areas and Selected Key Activities

Toxicology Lab

  • Detection and quantifying methadone and buprenorphine concentration in urine samples via TLC and HPLC
  • Validity and reliability of self-reported drug use using biological markers
  • Polymorphism of OPRM-1 gene and methadone plasma concentration via HPLC
  • Detection and quantifying methadone concentration in urine samples through emulsion breaking techniques in liquid-liquid extraction via HPLC

Genetics Lab

  • Effects of opioid dependence on gene expression in different parts of the reward system in animal brain
  • Mutations in the genes involved in addiction in opioid addicts
  • Neurotransmitters receptors gene expression peripheral lymphocytes in animal studies
  • Effects of circadian rhythm disturbances on severity of morphine dependence and its association with Clock gene expression
  • Post-mortem study of different neurotransmitters gene expression in different parts of the brain in people who have used drugs
  • Morphine dependence in first and second generation of morphine dependent animals

Animal Lab

  • Behavioral studies: memory and learning test, pain, anxiety, motor tests, behavioral models for withdrawal and sensitization
  • Electrophysiological studies: assessment of electrical activity of brain neurons and effects of brain stimulation on treatment outcomes
  • Neurochemical studies: assessment and monitoring of chemical changes in extracellular fluids due to chronic use of drugs via micro-dialysis and HPLC

  • Collaborating Centers

    • DHCQ
    • Iranian Forensic Medicine Organization
    • School of Advance Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
    • Institute for Cognitive Science Studies
    • Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
    • Department of Genetics, Azad University