Gabriella Gobbi

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Gabriella Gobbi is an Italo-Canadian psychiatrist and neuroscientist whose research explores novel treatments for mental health disorders. [1] [2] [3] Gobbi is a professor at McGill University's Department of Psychiatry and a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Therapeutics for Mental Health. [2] [4]

Contents

Research career

In 1991, Gobbi completed a Doctor of Medicine degree, and specialized in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (1995) at the Catholic University of Rome in Italy and later obtained a PhD in neuroscience under the supervision of Gianluigi Gessa. [1]

Scientific contributions

Psychedelics for anxiety

Gobbi's research has shown that regular administration of low doses of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) reduces anxiety, through mechanisms similar commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and that LSD signaling also activates the mTOR signalling pathway. [5] [6] [7] [8]

Cannabis and association with depression in adolescence

Dr. Gobbi's lab discovered that adolescent cannabis consumption induces depression-like behavior in animals. [9] [10] Upon finding that there is a link between depression and long-term cannabis consumption in young people, [11] Gobbi engaged widely with stakeholders and the media, ultimately resulting in a change in the legal age of cannabis consumption in Quebec from 18 to 21, and her receiving the 2020 Principal's Prize for Public Engagement through Media (Established Academics category) from McGill University. [12]

Melatonin MT2 receptor agonists for pain and insomnia

Even if melatonin was isolated more than 60 years ago, the roles of GPCR melatonin receptors (named MT1 and MT2) remained unknown. Her lab discovered that the MT1 and MT2 receptors have very specialized functions: while the MT1 activates REM sleep, the MT2 receptor acts on NREM sleep. [13] [14] Her lab also synthesized and developed novel selective MT2 receptors partial agonists for the treatment of insomnia [15] and neuropathic pain. [16]

Honors and awards

Dr Gobbi is a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Selected academic publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LSD</span> Hallucinogenic drug

Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, and known colloquially as acid or lucy, is a potent psychedelic drug. Effects typically include intensified thoughts, emotions, and sensory perception. At sufficiently high dosages, LSD manifests primarily mental, visual, and auditory hallucinations. Dilated pupils, increased blood pressure, and increased body temperature are typical.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychopharmacology</span> Study of the effects of psychoactive drugs

Psychopharmacology is the scientific study of the effects drugs have on mood, sensation, thinking, behavior, judgment and evaluation, and memory. It is distinguished from neuropsychopharmacology, which emphasizes the correlation between drug-induced changes in the functioning of cells in the nervous system and changes in consciousness and behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychedelic drug</span> Hallucinogenic class of psychoactive drug

Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states and an apparent expansion of consciousness. Also referred to as classic hallucinogens or serotonergic hallucinogens, the term psychedelic is sometimes used more broadly to include various types of hallucinogens, such as those which are atypical or adjacent to psychedelia like salvia and MDMA, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder</span> Medical condition

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is a non-psychotic disorder in which a person experiences apparent lasting or persistent visual hallucinations or perceptual distortions after using drugs, including but not limited to psychedelics, dissociatives, entactogens, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and SSRIs. Despite being designated as a hallucinogen-specific disorder, the specific contributory role of psychedelic drugs is unknown.

Neuropsychopharmacology, an interdisciplinary science related to psychopharmacology and fundamental neuroscience, is the study of the neural mechanisms that drugs act upon to influence behavior. It entails research of mechanisms of neuropathology, pharmacodynamics, psychiatric illness, and states of consciousness. These studies are instigated at the detailed level involving neurotransmission/receptor activity, bio-chemical processes, and neural circuitry. Neuropsychopharmacology supersedes psychopharmacology in the areas of "how" and "why", and additionally addresses other issues of brain function. Accordingly, the clinical aspect of the field includes psychiatric (psychoactive) as well as neurologic (non-psychoactive) pharmacology-based treatments. Developments in neuropsychopharmacology may directly impact the studies of anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders, degenerative disorders, eating behavior, and sleep behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methylergometrine</span> Chemical compound

Methylergometrine, also known as methylergonovine and sold under the brand name Methergine, is a medication of the ergoline and lysergamide groups which is used as an oxytocic in obstetrics and in the treatment of migraine. It reportedly produces psychedelic effects similar to those of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) at high doses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agomelatine</span> Atypical antidepressant classified primarily as a melatonin receptor agonist

Agomelatine, sold under the brand names Valdoxan and Thymanax, among others, is an atypical antidepressant most commonly used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. One review found that it is as effective as other antidepressants with similar discontinuation rates overall but fewer discontinuations due to side effects. Another review also found it was similarly effective to many other antidepressants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramelteon</span> Hypnotic medication

Ramelteon, sold under the brand name Rozerem among others, is a melatonin agonist medication which is used in the treatment of insomnia. It is indicated specifically for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset. It reduces the time taken to fall asleep, but the degree of clinical benefit is small. The medication is approved for long-term use. Ramelteon is taken by mouth.

Melatonin receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) which bind melatonin. Three types of melatonin receptors have been cloned. The MT1 (or Mel1A or MTNR1A) and MT2 (or Mel1B or MTNR1B) receptor subtypes are present in humans and other mammals, while an additional melatonin receptor subtype MT3 (or Mel1C or MTNR1C) has been identified in amphibia and birds. The receptors are crucial in the signal cascade of melatonin. In the field of chronobiology, melatonin has been found to be a key player in the synchrony of biological clocks. Melatonin secretion by the pineal gland has circadian rhythmicity regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) found in the brain. The SCN functions as the timing regulator for melatonin; melatonin then follows a feedback loop to decrease SCN neuronal firing. The receptors MT1 and MT2 control this process. Melatonin receptors are found throughout the body in places such as the brain, the retina of the eye, the cardiovascular system, the liver and gallbladder, the colon, the skin, the kidneys, and many others. In 2019, X-ray crystal and cryo-EM structures of MT1 and MT2 were reported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melatonin receptor agonist</span>

Melatonin receptor agonists are analogues of melatonin that bind to and activate the melatonin receptor. Agonists of the melatonin receptor have a number of therapeutic applications including treatment of sleep disorders and depression. The discovery and development of melatonin receptor agonists was motivated by the need for more potent analogues than melatonin, with better pharmacokinetics and longer half-lives. Melatonin receptor agonists were developed with the melatonin structure as a model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25C-NBOMe</span> Psychedelic drug

25C-NBOMe is a psychedelic drug and derivative of the psychedelic phenethylamine 2C-C. 25C-NBOMe appeared on online vendor sites in 2010 but was not reported in the literature until 2011. It acts as a potent agonist of the 5-HT2A receptor, and has been studied in its 11C radiolabelled form as a potential ligand for mapping the distribution of 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, using positron emission tomography (PET). Multiple deaths have occurred from usage of 25C-NBOMe due to the ease of accidental overdose. The long-term toxic effects of the drug have not been researched.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25D-NBOMe</span> Chemical compound

25D-NBOMe is a derivative of the phenethylamine derived hallucinogen 2C-D. It acts in a similar manner to related compounds such as 25I-NBOMe, which is a potent agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor. 25D-NBOMe has been sold as a street drug since 2010 and produces similar effects in humans to related compounds such as 25I-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe. It was banned as a Temporary Class Drug in the UK on 10 June 2013 after concerns about its recreational use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25E-NBOMe</span> Chemical compound

25E-NBOMe is a derivative of the phenethylamine 2C-E. It acts in a similar manner to related compounds such as 25I-NBOMe, which are potent agonists at the 5-HT2A receptor. 25E-NBOMe has been sold as a drug and produces similar effects in humans to related compounds such as 25I-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piromelatine</span> Chemical compound

Piromelatine (Neu-P11) is a multimodal sleep drug under development by Neurim Pharmaceuticals. It is an agonist at melatonin MT1/MT2 and serotonin 5-HT1A/5-HT1D receptors. Neurim is conducting a phase II randomized, placebo controlled trial of cognitive and sleep effects in Alzheimer's disease.

Joel Elkes was a leading medical researcher specialising in the chemistry of the brain. He qualified as a physician in London and later became a medical researcher who published the first double-blind scientific trial on chlorpromazine to treat schizophrenia. He is regarded as the father of modern neuropsychopharmacology and directed the first experimental psychiatric Uffculme Clinic in Birmingham, UK. He was responsible for the setting up of international organisations and university departments to further the investigation of the effects of psychopharmacy. He spent the latter part of his career endeavouring to bring higher levels of humanity, compassion and ethics to medical training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25iP-NBOMe</span> Chemical compound

25iP-NBOMe is a derivative of the phenethylamine hallucinogen 2C-iP, which acts as a highly potent agonist for the human 5-HT2A receptor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1V-LSD</span> Chemical compound

1V-LSD, sometimes nicknamed Valerie, is a psychotropic substance and a research chemical with psychedelic effects. 1V-LSD is an artificial derivative of natural lysergic acid, which occurs in ergot alkaloids, as well as being an analogue of LSD. 1V-LSD has been sold online until an amendment to the German NpSG was enforced in 2022 which controls 1P-LSD and now 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSD and several other lysergamides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melatonin as a medication and supplement</span> Supplement and medication used to treat sleep disorders

Melatonin is a dietary supplement and medication as well as naturally occurring hormone. As a hormone, melatonin is released by the pineal gland and is involved in sleep–wake cycles. As a supplement, it is often used for the attempted short-term treatment of disrupted sleep patterns, such as from jet lag or shift work, and is typically taken orally. Evidence of its benefit for this use, however, is not strong. A 2017 review found that sleep onset occurred six minutes faster with use, but found no change in total time asleep.

California Sober is a recovery model that incorporates the use of psychedelic therapy, along with meditation and exercise, with the intent of abstaining from more harmful and addictive substances. The difference between the California Sober and traditional recovery systems, such as Narcotics Anonymous, is that it doesn't require Asceticism, allowing the practitioner to use substances with little to no potential for addiction in such a way that those substances are said to aid in the recovery process.

References

  1. 1 2 "Dr. Gabriella Gobbi's Lab: Background".
  2. 1 2 "Gabriella Gobbi".
  3. ↑ Wolfe, Lowell. "When it comes to drugs, McGill is still stuck in the past | McGill Tribune". www.mcgilltribune.com. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  4. ↑ "Nine Canada Research Chairs awarded to McGill". McGill Reporter. 2022-06-02. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  5. ↑ "LSD, a future antianxiety pill?". McGill University Health Centre. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  6. ↑ De Gregorio, Danilo; Popic, Jelena; Enns, Justine P.; Inserra, Antonio; Skalecka, Agnieszka; Markopoulos, Athanasios; Posa, Luca; Lopez-Canul, Martha; Qianzi, He; Lafferty, Christopher K.; Britt, Jonathan P. (2021-02-02). "Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) promotes social behavior through mTORC1 in the excitatory neurotransmission". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 118 (5): e2020705118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2020705118 . ISSN   0027-8424. PMC   7865169 . PMID   33495318.
  7. ↑ "Tripping over the potential of psychedelics for autism". Spectrum | Autism Research News. 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  8. ↑ "LSD may offer viable treatment for certain mental disorders".
  9. ↑ Bambico, Francis Rodriguez; Nguyen, Nhu-Tram; Katz, Noam; Gobbi, Gabriella (March 2010). "Chronic exposure to cannabinoids during adolescence but not during adulthood impairs emotional behaviour and monoaminergic neurotransmission". Neurobiology of Disease. 37 (3): 641–655. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2009.11.020. ISSN   0969-9961. PMID   19969082. S2CID   44645230.
  10. ↑ De Gregorio, Danilo; Dean Conway, Joshua; Canul, Martha-Lopez; Posa, Luca; Bambico, Francis Rodriguez; Gobbi, Gabriella (2020-07-29). "Effects of Chronic Exposure to Low-Dose delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Adolescence and Adulthood on Serotonin/Norepinephrine Neurotransmission and Emotional Behavior". International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. 23 (11): 751–761. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyaa058. ISSN   1461-1457. PMC   7745253 . PMID   32725198.
  11. ↑ "'Double-edged sword:' Teens' long-term cannabis use tied to higher depression risk". CBC News. 13 February 2019.
  12. ↑ "Celebrating McGill researchers who are changing the world". McGill Reporter. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  13. ↑ Gobbi, Gabriella; Comai, Stefano (2019-03-01). "Differential Function of Melatonin MT1 and MT2 Receptors in REM and NREM Sleep". Frontiers in Endocrinology. 10: 87. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00087 . ISSN   1664-2392. PMC   6407453 . PMID   30881340.
  14. ↑ Comai, Stefano; Ochoa-Sanchez, Rafael; Gobbi, Gabriella (April 2013). "Sleep–wake characterization of double MT1/MT2 receptor knockout mice and comparison with MT1 and MT2 receptor knockout mice". Behavioural Brain Research. 243: 231–238. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2013.01.008. ISSN   0166-4328. PMID   23333399. S2CID   7363091.
  15. ↑ Ochoa-Sanchez, R.; Comai, S.; Lacoste, B.; Bambico, F. R.; Dominguez-Lopez, S.; Spadoni, G.; Rivara, S.; Bedini, A.; Angeloni, D.; Fraschini, F.; Mor, M.; Tarzia, G.; Descarries, L.; Gobbi, G. (2011-12-14). "Promotion of Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep and Activation of Reticular Thalamic Neurons by a Novel MT2 Melatonin Receptor Ligand". Journal of Neuroscience. 31 (50): 18439–18452. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.2676-11.2011. ISSN   0270-6474. PMC   6623882 . PMID   22171046.
  16. ↑ Lopez-Canul, Martha; Palazzo, Enza; Dominguez-Lopez, Sergio; Luongo, Livio; Lacoste, Baptiste; Comai, Stefano; Angeloni, Debora; Fraschini, Franco; Boccella, Serena; Spadoni, Gilberto; Bedini, Annalida; Tarzia, Giorgio; Maione, Sabatino; Granados-Soto, Vinicio; Gobbi, Gabriella (February 2015). "Selective melatonin MT2 receptor ligands relieve neuropathic pain through modulation of brainstem descending antinociceptive pathways". Pain. 156 (2): 305–317. doi:10.1097/01.j.pain.0000460311.71572.5f. hdl: 11576/2623398 . ISSN   0304-3959. PMID   25599452. S2CID   25927444.
  17. ↑ Association, Canadian Medical (2022-05-17). "Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2022 award winners". Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. 47 (3): E196. doi:10.1503/jpn.220082. ISSN   1180-4882. PMC   9188797 . PMID   35580895.
  18. ↑ "Gabriella Gobbi honoured by the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology". Health e-News. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  19. ↑ "Congratulations to Dr. Gabriella Gobbi, recipient of the Principal's Prize for Public Engagement through Media". Channels. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  20. ↑ Dr. Gabriella Gobbi, 2017 Recipient of the Dr. Samarthji Lal Award , retrieved 2023-01-20
  21. ↑ "Premio Venezia - ICCC". ICCC. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  22. ↑ "5 TORRI - Ottobre 2013 by Comune di Osimo - Issuu". issuu.com. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biographical Sketch". Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
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