Neurochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases

About the Group

Where Molecules Meet Medicine

The Neurochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases (NNDD) Research Group at the International Center for Neuroscience Research investigates how cell-surface receptors—especially G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs)—shape vulnerability, progression, and resilience across Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and post-injury neurodegeneration. We connect receptor structure and signaling to cellular phenotypes, neural circuits, and behavior, keeping the emphasis on mechanisms that can be translated into biomarkers, imaging probes, and disease-modifying therapies.

Our mission is to decode receptor-mediated chemistry in brain health and disease and to convert that knowledge into better diagnostics and interventions that slow or prevent neurodegeneration. Our vision is a receptor-informed precision neuroscience in which selective modulators, rational combinations, and biomarker-guided trials restore network function rather than merely suppressing symptoms. To achieve this, we work across disciplines—pharmacology, neurochemistry, glial biology, computational analysis, and clinical neuroscience—within ICNR’s international collaboration ecosystem.

Transforming Neurochemistry into Healing

Precision Pharmacology, Real-World Impact!

Core Research Focus Areas

⁠Receptor Dynamics

We map GPCR signaling, trafficking, and crosstalk to define how they reshape synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, myelination, and proteostasis, establishing mechanistic anchors across models of neurodegeneration.

Signal Pharmacology

We test orthosteric and allosteric control—including positive and negative modulators plus emerging bitopic ligands—with emphasis on biased signaling that differentially recruits G-proteins versus β-arrestins pathways.

Neuro-Metabolism

We probe metabolism–inflammation links via lipid-mediated neurotransmission and related receptor families, connecting energetic stress and immune tone to neuronal function, plasticity, and circuit resilience directly.

Transforming Neurochemistry into Healing

Precision Pharmacology, Real-World Impact!

We are synthesizing evidence on allosteric modulation across ionotropic receptors and GPCRs in Alzheimer’s disease—asking when “dial-like” modulators can safely rebalance pathways that govern memory and inflammation—focusing on muscarinic M1, mGluR5, and the calcium-sensing receptor, which show strong preclinical signals and instructive, mixed early clinical results to guide biomarker-anchored next steps. In parallel, our review of the orphan GPCR GPR149 highlights functions beyond reproduction: loss-of-function states resist diet-induced obesity and improve insulin sensitivity, while neural expression in glia and neurons links the receptor to myelination and neuroendocrine signaling, likely via MAPK/ERK. Because metabolism, inflammation, and myelin integrity sit at the core of neurodegeneration, defining GPR149’s ligands and signaling bias—alongside targeted allosteric strategies—could open convergent therapeutic avenues across metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.

Completed Projects

  • Multilevel Characterization of GPR149 in Obesity: Neurobehavioral, Molecular, and Electrophysiological Insights

Training & Collaboration

Training and partnership are part of our DNA. We mentor students and early-career researchers through hands-on projects in receptor pharmacology and neurochemistry, and we work with academic, clinical, and industry partners to co-develop selective modulators and tracers, share cohorts and methods, and harmonize analytics for multi-site replication. If you are interested in collaboration, clinical translation, or training, we welcome you to connect with the NNDD Group to co-design studies that move receptor-guided ideas toward patient impact.

Contact us

If you have questions about the group, please contact us

Our team

Rajat Sandhir, Ph.D.


Collaborating Faculty

Gela Beselia, Ph.D.


Collaborating Faculty

Abd Almonem DOOLAANEA, Ph.D.

Yared Z. Zewde, MD


Collaborating Faculty

Carlos Vasconcelos, Ph.D.

Collaborating Faculty

Adeel Ahmed, Ph.D.


Affiliated Researcher

Mohamad Alfateh, MD


Affiliated Researcher

Nino Akubardia, MD


Affiliated Researcher

Kevin Thomas Mathew, MD

Affiliated Researcher

Gargi Gautam, MD


Affiliated Researcher

Wael Mohamed

Professor
International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia

Toshihide Yamashita

Professor
Osaka University, Japan

Natalia Nalivaeva

Professor
University of Leeds, UK

Mzia Zhvania

Professor
Ilia State University, Georgia

Ahmed El-Yazbi

Professor
Alalamein International University, Egypt

Ines El Bini Dhouib

Professor
Pasteur Institute of Tunisia, Tunisia