Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: LUANA TALINNE DA COSTA GOMES

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LUANA TALINNE DA COSTA GOMES
DATE: 23/04/2026
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Videoconferência
TITLE:

α_1A-ADRENOCEPTORS: FROM BIOQUANTUM CHARACTERIZATION OF DRUG–RECEPTOR INTERACTIONS TO THE MODULATION OF DEPRESSIVE AND ANXIETY-LIKE BEHAVIOR IN ANIMAL MODELS

KEY WORDS:

α1A-adrenoceptors; Anxiety; Depression; Central nervous system; Quantum biochemistry; Receptor–ligand interaction.

PAGES: 109
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Farmacologia
SUMMARY:

Anxiety and depressive disorders represent major public health challenges and are associated with complex alterations in neurotransmitter systems, particularly the noradrenergic system. In this context, α1-adrenoceptors, especially the α1A subtype, have emerged as potential modulators of behavioral and emotional responses in the central nervous system. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of α1A-adrenoceptors in anxiety- and depression-related behaviors, as well as to characterize, through in silico approaches, the structural and energetic aspects involved in receptor–ligand interactions. Initially, molecular modeling and quantum biochemistry studies were conducted to investigate interactions between ligands and the α1A-adrenoceptor, including binding energy analyses and the identification of critical residues involved in molecular recognition. In parallel, behavioral effects of the pharmacological manipulation of α1A-adrenoceptors were evaluated in an experimental mouse model, using classical tests such as the elevated plus maze and predictive models of depressive-like behavior. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying affective disorders and reinforces the potential of α1A-adrenoceptors as promising therapeutic targets.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2985070 - JONAS IVAN NOBRE OLIVEIRA
Interna - 1720860 - VANESSA DE PAULA SOARES RACHETTI
Externa ao Programa - 1645202 - ELAINE CRISTINA GAVIOLI - UFRN