| | Principal Investigators
| Juan M. Saavedra, M.D. |
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Dr. Saavedra is chief of the Section on Pharmacology, Division of Intramural Research Programs,
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health. He graduated from Medical School in
1965 and was board certified in Psychiatry in 1970 at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He joined the laboratory of Julius Axelrod (Section on Pharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical Science,
NIMH) as a Guest Researcher in 1971, was a Fogarty International Fellow from 1972-1973,
Visiting Scientist from 1973 to 1979, and Medical Officer (Psychiatry, Civil Service Excepted Appointment)
from 1979 to 1983. From 1983-1988 he joined the Section on Clinical Pharmacology, Laboratory of
Clinical Science, NIMH, and in 1989 he became chief of the newly created Section on Pharmacology,
DIRP, NIMH. Dr. Saavedra is also a Research Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry,
Uniformed Services School of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. |
| Research Interests |
| Dr. Saavedra’s laboratory is focused on the analysis of basic molecular mechanisms controlling the reaction to stress, and of those involved in brain inflammation. The goal of these studies is to develop novel therapies for the treatment of major diseases of the brain. The main interest is the treatment of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Brain inflammation and failure to control and adapt to stress are recognized as important factors in the development and progression of these diseases. The Section on Pharmacology studies identify novel centrally–acting compounds decreasing anxiety and preventing stress-induced disorders, brain inflammation and brain ischemia, such as antagonists of Angiotensin II AT1 receptors. The investigators attempt to elucidate their mechanisms of action and to determine their therapeutic spectrum. In complementary studies on human circulating cells, they search for biological markers of inflammation and their relationship to brain disorders. The approach is multidisciplinary, including neuroanatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology components. |
| Representative Selected Recent Publications: |
- Sánchez-Lemus E, Benicky J, Pavel J, Saavedra JM:
In vivo Angiotensin II AT (1) receptor blockade selectively inhibits LPS-induced innate immune response and ACTH release in rat pituitary gland.
Brain Behav Immun, May 6. [Epub ahead of print], 2009.
- Benicky J, Sánchez-Lemus E, Pavel J, Saavedra JM:
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in the Brain and the Periphery
Cell Mol Neurobiol, Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print], 2009.
- Bregonzio C, Seltzer A, Armando I, Pavel J, Saavedra JM:
Angiotensin II AT(1) receptor blockade selectively enhances brain AT(2) receptor expression, and abolishes the cold-restraint stress-induced increase in tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA in the locus coeruleus of spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Stress, 11(6):457-66, 2008.
- Sánchez-Lemus E, Murakami Y, Larrayoz-Roldan IM, Moughamian AJ, Pavel J, Nishioku T, Saavedra JM:
Angiotensin II AT1 receptor blockade decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in the rat adrenal gland.
Endocrinology Oct;149(10):5177-88, 2008.
- Armando I, Volpi S, Aguilera G, Saavedra JM:
Angiotensin II AT1 receptor blockade prevents the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor response to isolation stress.
Brain Res. Apr 20;1142:92-9, 2007.
- Saavedra JM, Armando I, Bregonzio C, Juorio A, Macova M, Pavel J, Sanchez-Lemus E:
A centrally acting, anxiolytic angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist prevents the isolation stress-induced decrease in cortical CRF1 receptor and benzodiazepine binding.
Neuropsychopharmacology Jun;31(6):1123-34, 2006.
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Address:
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10 Center Drive,
Bldg. 10, Room 2D-57
Bethesda, MD 20892 |
| Phone: |
(301) 496-0160 |
| Email Dr. Saavedra |
| Fax: |
(301) 402-0337 |
| Lab Web Site: |
No website available |
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