SzSA YearBook 2016/17

SZENT-GYÖRGYI MENTORS
LÁSZLÓ VÉCSEI
Department of Neurology,
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Szeged
Address: Semmelweis u. 6., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
E: vecsei.laszlo@med.u-szeged.hu
T: +36 62/545-348
RESEARCH AREA
Our main research interest is the experimental and clinical
investigation of the pathomechanism and possible therapeutic
targets of neurological diseases. With the aid of MR
imaging and electrophysiological recordings we search for
the characteristic features of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease and given headache disorders.
From cerebrospinal fluid and from blood samples we determine
biomarkers, which could help the diagnosis confirmation
and provide details about the course of the diseases. In
genetic studies, we investigate the genetic background of
multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s’ disease. The foundation
of these experiments is our Biobank of human tissue samples,
which we collect continuously.
In our animal models we examine the molecular background
of neurological disorders, particularly the protective
effects of kynurenic acid derivatives. The kynurenine system
is our main research target, which is involved in the pathomechanism
of numerous neurological disorders due to the
modulatory effects on glutamatergic neuro transmission.
In previous experiments, these molecules were effective
in the experimental models of headache, Huntington’s disease,
epilepsy and stroke. Our aim is to further elucidate
the mechanisms of effect and potential therapeutic value
of this molecules.
TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE IN THE LAB
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Majlath, Zs., Annus, A., Vécsei, L. (2017) Kynurenine system
and multiple sclerosis, pathomechanism and drug targets
with an emphasis on lauqinimod. Curr Drug Targets in
press.
Vécsei, L., Majláth, Z., Balog, A., Tajti, J. (2015) Drug targets
of migraine and neuropathy: treatment of hyperexcitability.
CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 14: 664-76.
Szabó, N., Kincses, ZT., Párdutz, A., Tóth, E., Szok, D., Csete,
G., Vécsei, L. (2013) White matter disintegration in cluster
headache. J Headache Pain 24: 14:64.
Vécsei, L., Szalárdy, L., Fülöp, F., Toldi, J. (2013) Kynurenines
in the CNS: recent advances and new questions. Nat Rev
Drug Discov 12: 64-82.
Kincses, Z.T., Szabó, N., Valálik, I., Kopniczky, Z., Dézsi, L., Klivényi,
P., Jenkinson, M., Király, A., Babos, M., Vörös, E., Barzó,
P., Vécsei, L. (2012) Target identification for stereotactic
thalamotomy using diffusion tractography. PLoS One 7:
e29969.
Szalárdy, L., Klivényi, P., Zádori, D., Fülöp, F., Toldi, J., Vécsei, L.
(2012) Mitochondrial disturbances, tryptophan meta bolites
and neurodegeneration: medicinal chemistry aspects. Cur
Med Chemistry 19:1899-1920.
Vécsei, L. (ed.) (2012) Kynurenines and the nervous system:
therapeutic perspectives. J Neural Transm 119: 107-296.
MR imaging and data processing, clinical electrophysiological
recordings, transcranial direct/alternating
current stimulation, RNA and DNA isolation, different PCR
and ELISA methods, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting,
behavioral experiments on animals, HPLC.
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