PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

Author: GIMES GIMÉNEZ MÓNICA.
Year: 2004.
University: COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID [www.ucm.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA UCM.

Summary: In assessing a patient alcohol to be taken into account various factors. Among them is especially important thirst or desire to drink alcohol. We can define it as a kind of obsessive thirst, or a feeling of difficulty to control the momentum towards consumption. The complexity of the phenomenon is reflected in the diversity of theoretical models that have attempted to explain. The first that were developed focused on partial aspects of craving. We could group them into theories behavioral, cognitive theories and theories about the loss of control, which have a more biological basis. In the design stage was on the theoretical three-dimensional structure composed of positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and loss of control. The items were drafted for each factor and was administered to a group of experts and an initial sample of alcoholics delete those items confusing. Once completed these steps instrument was administered to samples of the study. An analysis Psicométrico obtaining a reliable alpha 0.94. The exploratory factor analysis, the resolution of three factors explained 53.54% of the variance: reinforcing positive (12 items), negative reinforcement (9 items) and loss of control (12 items). All of them were high reliability. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-dimensional structure to obtain some kind of adjustment rates high, giving construct validity. With regard to the sensitivity and specificity rates also obtained satisfactory settling points corte.En study of the divergent and convergent validity were selected variables theoretically related anxiety and each of its factors. Among them were selected variables related to the history of dependence, sensitivity to reward factor for the positive reinforcement, sensitivity to reward and variable on the scale of the intensity of dependency factor negative reinforcement, and impulsiveness and variables relating to the control of the scale of intensity dependence. The results show significant correlations between the factors and variables related theory. The results support the validity of the instrument convergent and divergent. The study discriminative validity of the comparisons were made between groups. The sample was divided according to various selected variables: the intensity of the unit, the pattern of consumption, nÚmero relapse prior and current time of abstinence. Significant differences were found in the sample of alcoholics, between groups with varying degrees of dependency, nÚmerode relapse, while in the midst of abstinence and consumption in the expected directions. There is a greater willingness among groups most serious of the unit (intensity, mixed-use and more of a relapse). However there were no significant differences in the desire to study groups of alcoholics established by the frequency of consumption rate of consumption, consumption of other toxic and sex. Popr Furthermore it found significant differences when comparing the group pm1icipantes alcoholics and the normal. It is concluded that the questionnaire on the desire to drink exceeds psychometric deficits observed in the previous instruments. This instrument enables to differentiate with high sensitivity and specificity in subjects with alcohol dependence and those who do not have problems with alcohol. Provides a means of evaluation that allows tailor treatment to individual profile of desire. Allows continue studying each of the factors of anxiety in an attempt to reach a consensus on its definition.

Author: LECLERQ GARCIA IDOIA.
Year: 2004.
University: PAÍS VASCO [www.ehu.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGIA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGIA.

Summary: The objective of this thesis was to check the effect of the agonist and two cholinergic antagonists on the long-term retention of information using a temporary conditional deletion procedure in rats. Between training and treatment established a retention interval shorter (2 days), an intermediate (14 days) and one long (21 days). It was expected effect of the agonist amnésico to 14 days and antagonists to 3 and 21 days and facilitating the recovery of this type of information by the agonist to 21 days. The results do not support the hypothesis, which makes raising the role of acetylcholine in the memory of time information.

Author: BILBAO LEIS AINHOA.
Year: 2004.
University: COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID [www.ucm.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.

Summary: The alcoholimo is a prevalent psychiatric disorder, which affects about 8% of the population being the total abstinence an elusive goal. The 80% of alcoholics in abstinence falls during the first three months. Despite the farmecoterapias developed so far (naltrexone and acamprosate), we need to know more effective alternative therapies in the treatment of relapse. In this regard, the blocking of endogenous cannabinoid system in animals dependent on ethanol, as described in this study, may help to not only reduce the consumption of ethanol, but also the desire to obtain uncontrolled and consume, thus opening the possibility of attaining the goal of an effective treatment of alcoholism. Although not yet fully understand the mechanisms of interaction of ethanol This study suggests the possible involvement of another system, cannabionides endogenous and their receptors CB1 and PPAR ALFA, both pharmacological actions in the actions of behavioral ethanol . The acute and chronic administration of ethanol induces neuroadaptaciones in the endogenous cannabinoid system, suggesting an active role of endocannabinoids in the self-maintained etanol.Los results of this work show that. A) The ethanol induces changes in the production of endocannabinoids b) The system endocannabinoides-receptores CB1 and PPAR alpha participates in the regulation of self-administration of alcohol in rats c) The system endocannabinoids -receptores CB1 and PPAR alpha involved in the process relapse tied in a model of alcoholism in rats and d) can select different classes of drugs that interact with the systems endocannabinoide-receptores CB1 and PPAR alpha for the treatment of alcoholism.

Author: LOPEZ MORENO JOSE ANTONIO.
Year: 2004.
University: COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID [www.ucm.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.

Summary: The thesis is based on a set of five experiments whose common thread is the study of vulnerability to relapse to alcohol. We have designed an original methodology, based on an animal model, imitating certain parameters commonly found in drug abuse, in this case, the administration of a drug (nicotine or a cannabinoid agonist) in abstinence from drugs consumed the individual routinely (pefarmacológicas to treat addiction to alcohol and control of relapse. These strategies are based on the speech on the cannabinoid system. In a first experiment has shown that the relapse to alcohol is exacerbated after treating animal nicotine during the period of abstinence. animal consumes most amount of alcohol over time. In a second experiment, given the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55212-2 during the deprivation of alcohol and there was also the empowerment of relapse to alcohol during at least two weeks. In the third experiment, an attempt was made to publicize the correlative neuroquímo that could underpin the behavioral changes that have been observed in the first two experiments. Through the microdialysis technique was evaluated extracellular release of dopamine in the " shell's nucleus accumbens. was noted that prior exposure to nicotine and the agonist cannabionoide WIN-55212-2 produced a blockade of the release of dopamine induced by alcohol. however, in animals that were not pretreated with none of the above drugs, it was able to verify the release of dopamine caused by alcohol. In the fourth experiment, based on the increase in alcohol relapse induced by nicotine, it is argued, but at the time of relapse are treated animals with anatognista cannabinoids SR 141716, now known as Rimonabant. The results showed that Rimonabant is able to block dose dependent manner, rested alcohol induced by alcohol. In the fifth experiment was further replicate the empowerment of relapse to alcohol induced by nicotine, but in this case, animals were treated for a relapse with the new and selective antagonist for the receiver CB1 cannabinoid: SR 147778. In general, this specific study an animal model that allows studying relapse to alcohol, the main component that imprisonment alcohol and hard core of the problem of addiction. Lastly, it appears that the intervention on the system cannabionoide can be a key factor for the treatment of alcoholism, even when there is interaction with nicotine and cannabionoides, very common pattern of use in humans.

Author: Martín García Elena.
Year: 2005.
University: AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA [www.uab.es].
Place of defense: Facultad de Psicología.
Place of preparation: Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona.

Summary: The results show that the neuroesteroide sulfate Pregnenolone may reverse cognitive impairment caused by the administration intrahipocampal nicotine in subjects alcoholics. While the neuroesteroide Allopregnanolona act increasing the cognitive impairment caused by the interaction between the volunteer and chronic consumption of alcohol and administration intrahipocampal nicotine. On the other hand, such an interaction between alcohol and nicotine results in the improvement of learning extinction of the response to the lever according to the profile anxiolytic submitting the combination of these two substances. This effect is not modulated by the administration of neuroesteroides. With regard to emotional behavior, this paper emphasizes the role of the hippocampus in the anxiolytic profile of neuroesteroide allopregnanolona, also proves effective in reversing convulsions and syndrome abstinéncia alcoholic when administered in this brain structure. Of special relevance for the study of brain function neuroesteroides, its effects on the behavior and their mechanisms of action in the synapse, since it could give birth to the etiology of various diseases that affect the nervous system, such as disorders convulsive, mood disorders and cognitive impairment is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Similarly, in the not too distant future, they might open a new therapeutic window with the development of promising new drugs bill based on the chemistry of neuroesteroides.

Author: PASTOR MEDALL RAUL.
Year: 2005.
University: JAUME I DE CASTELLON [www.uji.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS JURIDICAS Y ECONOMICAS.
Place of preparation: FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS HUMANAS Y SOCIALES.

Summary: The dissertation entitled Participation of the endogenous opioid system in the behavioral effects of ethanol: the role of mu receptors and beta-endorfinas of hypothalamic nucleus arched by Raul Shepherd Medall, and led by Dr. Carlos M. Gonzalez Aragon, outlines a series of data showing that the stimulating effect of ethanol is mediated by the actions of the beta-endorfinas and mu opioid receptors, but not by the recipients ÃÂ '. In turn, this dissertation demonstrates that raising awareness of the stimulatory effects of ethanol, and that is a consequence of the presence of neuroadaptaciones instrumental in the development of addiction, are also dependent on beta-endorfinas and recipients mu opioid. Moreover, it has been shown that neurons beta-endorfinas localized in the nucleus arched hypothalamic seem to be, particularly those which justified role of the endogenous opioid system in the stimulatory effects of ethanol and awareness. Finally, this thesis demonstrates that the activation opioid-induced ethanol appears to be an effect dependent acetaldehÃÂdo formed, through the catalase in the nucleus arched hipotalÃÂ ¡mico

Author: MARIN MARTÍN CAROLINA.
Year: 2005.
University: COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID [www.ucm.es].
Place of defense: FACULTAD DE PSICOLOGÍA.

Summary: The tourist attraction for many species, as well as the protection of endangered species or experimental protocols are some of the reasons that have led to an increase in the movement of animals in recent decades. This trend has caused concern among many professional sectors on how to conduct a proper practice to seek protection both physically and psychologically from animals, avoiding negative consequences future. The opportunity to present our research was the relocation of a colony of breeding male rhesus (Macaca multatt) from Harlan UK in Hillcrest, the Center for Macaques in Porton Down, with the main purpose of improving habitat conditions. Our goal was to measure the impact that the move caused at different levels: Hormone  ¡, inumnológico and behavior in a sample composed of six groups (N = 34), belonging to this breeding colony. It collected blood samples and observed the conduct of genetic animals prior to the transfer, and immediately after seven months of the same. The main resutlados found were significantly higher levels of cortisol immediately after the transfer, as measured by the ability of white blood cells to produce oxygen free radicals in response to stimulation in vitro by WFP (Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate ). With respect to the conduct, significant increases were observed in the frequency of behaviors related to exploration and auto-cuidado del medio. But seven months after the transfer was recorded a recovery of almost all the indicators fisiólogicos reaching again baseline, while you pattern of behavior observed after seven months, changed observed higher frequencies of affiliation behavior related to group cohesion possibly because the conditions of the new habitat, which could be defined as enriched from the previous. These resutlados we suggest that, at least in the short term, the move resulted in the animals a certain degree of instability, reflected both physiological as conductal. While these resutlados could be regarded as merely an immediate response to a situation of instability, because all physiological levels returned to baseline values after seven months, offering a welcome information that there will be no negative consequences to the health of animals.