Research topics

Molecular Psychiatry and Neuropharmacology

  • Topic Manager: Miroslav Adžić
  • Associates:
  • Associates from abroad and/or external associates: Dr Danka Savić
    Zorica Petrović, doktorand
    Minja Aleksić, doktorand
  • Research Summary:

    The Molecular Psychiatry and Neuropharmacology Group promotes basic and translational neurobiological research focused on improving the understanding of the causes and effects of therapy for mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. We carry out interdisciplinary research connecting the molecular, cellular, neural processes and behavior. Our work group is interested in identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of psychiatric disorder (particularly affective disorders) and neurodegenerative diseases, especially the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, gut-brain axis, neuroplastic brain processes, neurotransmission and oxidative stress.

    To investigate these mechanisms, we employ a broad range of molecular methods together with behavioral observations.

    Furthermore, the group aims to understand the mechanism of action of drugs used to treat brain disorders by focusing our research on the effects of psychopharmacological agents on nuclear and mitochondrial processes.
  • Projects on the Topic:
    • Defining the cluster of molecular biomarkers for improving and therapy of mood disorders (III41029, Ministry of education, science and technological development, 2011-2019, PI Miroslav Adzic).
    • Preclinical and Patient Studies of Affective Disorders in Serbia (R21 MH098793-01A1, National institute of mental health, 2014-2016, Sub PI Miroslav Adzic).
  • Publications:
    1. Fatty acids as biomodulators of Piezo1 mediated glial mechanosensitivity in Alzheimer's disease. Ivkovic S, Major T, Mitic M, Loncarevic-Vasiljkovic N, Jovic M, Adzic M.
      Life Sci. 2022 Mar 10;297:120470. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120470. Online ahead of print.
      PMID: 35283177 Review.
    2. Hallucinogenic drugs and their potential for treating fear-related disorders: Through the lens of fear extinction. Glavonic E, Mitic M, Adzic M.
      J Neurosci Res. 2022 Apr;100(4):947-969. doi: 10.1002/jnr.25017. Epub 2022 Feb 15.
      PMID: 35165930 Review.
    3. GluN2A-ERK-mTOR pathway confers a vulnerability to LPS-induced depressive-like behaviour. Francija E, Lukic I, Petrovic Z, Brkic Z, Mitic M, Radulovic J, Adzic M.
      Behav Brain Res. 2022 Jan 24;417:113625. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113625. Epub 2021 Oct 9. PMID: 34637854
    4. The FKBP5 genotype and childhood trauma effects on FKBP5 DNA methylation in patients with psychosis, their unaffected siblings, and healthy controls. Mihaljevic M, Franic D, Soldatovic I, Lukic I, Petrovic SA, Mirjanic T, Stankovic B, Zukic B, Zeljic K, Gasic V, Novakovic I, Pavlovic S, Adzic M, Maric NP. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2021 Jun;128:105205. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105205. Epub 2021 Mar 23.
      PMID: 33933892
    5. Glucocorticoid receptor alpha translational isoforms as mediators of early adversities and negative emotional states. Adzic M, Glavonic E, Nesic MJ, Milosavljevic M, Mihaljevic M, Petrovic Z, Pavlovic Z, Brkic Z, Francija E, Soldatovic I, Mitic M, Radulovic J, Maric NP. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2019 Mar 2;90:288-299. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.011. Epub 2018 Dec 21.
      PMID: 30580022 Free PMC article.
    6. Distinct modifications of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation and FKBPs by lipopolysaccharide in depressive female and male rats. Brkic Z, Francija E, Petrovic Z, Franic D, Lukic I, Mitic M, Adzic M. J Psychopharmacol. 2017 Sep;31(9):1234-1249. doi: 10.1177/0269881117725914. Epub 2017 Aug 31.
      PMID: 28857645
    7. Therapeutic Strategies for Treatment of Inflammation-related Depression.
      Adzic M, Brkic Z, Mitic M, Francija E, Jovicic MJ, Radulovic J, Maric NP.
      Curr Neuropharmacol. 2018 Jan 30;16(2):176-209. doi: 10.2174/1570159X15666170828163048.
      PMID: 28847294 Free PMC article. Review.
  • Cooperations:
    • School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
    • Department for Research and Early Interventions in Psychiatry  - Clinic for Psychiatry, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
    • Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center for Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
    • Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Salford,  England, UK