Neurovascular Research Group

Study of the mechanisms of protection and repair of the neurovascular unit: We conducted a multidisciplinary research on the involvement of the neurovascular unit in diseases affecting the nervous system, including stroke and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. We undertook the study in rodent models by applying anatomical, histochemical, biochemical, and cellular and molecular biology techniques. Experimental models: i) ischemic stroke, conducted by permanent or temporary ligation of the middle cerebral artery, or using an intraluminal filament, ii) vascular Parkinsonism obtained by lacunar infarction secondary to intracerebral administration of the peptide endothelin, and iii) Alzheimer¿s disease genetic model: double transgenic mice which over express the Swedish mutation of APP together with PS1 deleted in exon 9 (APPswe, PS1-dE9), both directed to CNS neurons.