Ana Patrícia Figueiredo Rocha Simões

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Investigador(a)

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I am a junior scientist currently studying how adenosine A2A receptors modulate aversive memories, anxiety and depressive-like behavior in physiological and pathological conditions. I came to work at CNC.IBILI to pursue my passion for neurosciences and was a PhD student at the group ‘Purines at CNC’, headed by Dr. Rodrigo A. Cunha. My PhD work focused on the neuroprotective properties of selective antagonists for purine receptors. This contributed to unveil common mechanisms to many neurodegenerative disorders and hopefully will pave the way towards new treatments in the near future. During my years at Dr. Cunha’s lab I had the opportunity to collaborate in several projects and became interested in the link between A2AR and stress-induced dysfunctions. Stress-related disorders are an increasing socio-economic burden in the world and pose a serious challenge for public health. Therefore, I was eager to embrace a project that would give me the opportunity to enlighten the neurobiology behind these disorders and contribute to alleviate symptoms or even eradicate them. Therefore, I pursued a postdoc to study the impact of A2AR in the amygdala, a brain region highly affected by stress and trauma. We found that A2AR play a significant role in the amygdala, controlling mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in different microcircuits and amygdala-dependent behavior and may constitute a pharmacological target in fear-related disorders, such as PTSD. We also found that these receptors greatly impact fear memory engrams and are necessary and sufficient for the expression of mood dysfunction upon chronic stress. Now I aim to find if and how these receptors may be manipulated to safely erase pathological emotional states.

Publicações

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Informação sobre artigos em revista, actualizada a 22-06-2025, a partir da plataforma CIÊNCIAVITAE.

Adenosine A2A receptots modulate generalization of contextual fear in rats.

Simões, Ana; Portes, Marina; Silva, Henrique B.; Pliássova, Anna; Lourenço, Vanessa; Cunha, Rodrigo A.; Canas, Paula M.; Prediger, Rui D., Neuropharmacology. 2022. submitted Neuropharmacology

Purinergic signaling orchestrating neuron-glia communication

Agostinho, Paula; Canas, Paula M.; Madeira, Daniela; Dias, Liliana; Simões, Ana; Cunha, Rodrigo A., Pharmacological Research. 162. 2020. published Pharmacological Research

Adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptors differently control synaptic plasticity in the mouse dorsal and ventral hippocampus

Reis, Sara L.; Silva, Henrique B.; Almeida, Margarida; Cunha, Rodrigo A.; Simões, Ana P.; Canas, Paula M., Journal of Neurochemistry. 227 - 237. 2. 151. 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jnc.14816 . 10.1111/jnc.14816 . published Journal of Neurochemistry

Adenosine A2A receptors modulate the dopamine D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of synaptic transmission in the mouse prefrontal cortex

Real, Joana I.; Simões, Ana Patrícia; Cunha, Rodrigo A.; Ferreira, Samira G.; Rial, Daniel, European Journal of Neuroscience. 1127 - 1134. 9. 47. 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ejn.13912 . 10.1111/ejn.13912 . published European Journal of Neuroscience

Glutamate-induced and NMDA receptor-mediated neurodegeneration entails P2Y1 receptor activation

Simões, Ana P.; Silva, Carla G.; Marques, Joana M.; Pochmann, Daniela; Porciúncula, Lisiane O.; Ferreira, Sofia; Oses, Jean P.; et al, Cell Death & Disease. 3. 9. 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41419-018-0351-1 . 10.1038/s41419-018-0351-1 . published Cell Death & Disease

Neuronal Adenosine A2A Receptors Are Critical Mediators of Neurodegeneration Triggered by Convulsions

Canas, Paula M.; Porciúncula, Lisiane O.; Simões, Ana Patrícia; Augusto, Elisabete; Silva, Henrique B.; Machado, Nuno J.; Gonçalves, Nélio; et al, eneuro. ENEURO.0385 - 18.2018. 6. 5. 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1523/eneuro.0385-18.2018 . 10.1523/eneuro.0385-18.2018 . published eneuro

Caffeine Reverts Memory But Not Mood Impairment in a Depression-Prone Mouse Strain with Up-Regulated Adenosine A2A Receptor in Hippocampal Glutamate Synapses

Machado, Nuno J.; Simões, Ana Patrícia; Silva, Henrique B.; Ardais, Ana Paula; Kaster, Manuella P.; Garção, Pedro; Rodrigues, Diana I.; et al, Molecular Neurobiology. 1552 - 1563. 2. 54. 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12035-016-9774-9 . 10.1007/s12035-016-9774-9 . published Molecular Neurobiology

Adenosine A2A Receptors in the Amygdala Control Synaptic Plasticity and Contextual Fear Memory

Simões, Ana Patrícia; Machado, Nuno J; Gonçalves, Nélio; Kaster, Manuella P; Simões, Ana T; Nunes, Ana; Pereira de Almeida, Luís; et al, Neuropsychopharmacology. 2862 - 2871. 12. 41. 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/npp.2016.98 . 10.1038/npp.2016.98 . published Neuropsychopharmacology

ATP P2Y1 receptors control cognitive deficits and neurotoxicity but not glial modifications induced by brain ischemia in mice

Carmo, Marta R. S.; Simões, Ana Patrícia; Fonteles, Analu A.; Souza, Carolina M.; Cunha, Rodrigo A.; Andrade, Geanne M., European Journal of Neuroscience. 614 - 622. 4. 39. 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ejn.12435 . 10.1111/ejn.12435 . published European Journal of Neuroscience

Predominant loss of glutamatergic terminal markers in a ß-amyloid peptide model of Alzheimer's disease

Canas, Paula M.; Simões, Ana Patrícia; Rodrigues, Ricardo J.; Cunha, Rodrigo A., Neuropharmacology. 51 - 56. 76. 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.08.026 . 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.08.026 . published Neuropharmacology

Blockade of adenosine A2A receptors prevents interleukin-1ß-induced exacerbation of neuronal toxicity through a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Simões, Ana Patrícia; Duarte, João A; Agasse, Fabienne; Canas, Paula Margarida; Tomé, Angelo R; Agostinho, Paula; Cunha, Rodrigo A, Journal of Neuroinflammation. 1. 9. 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1742-2094-9-204 . 10.1186/1742-2094-9-204 . published Journal of Neuroinflammation

Adenosine A2A receptors control neuroinflammation and consequent hippocampal neuronal dysfunction

Rebola, Nelson; Simões, Ana Patrícia; Canas, Paula M.; Tomé, Angelo R.; Andrade, Geanne M.; Barry, Claire E.; Agostinho, Paula M.; Lynch, Marina A.; Cunha, Rodrigo A., Journal of Neurochemistry. 100 - 111. 1. 117. 2011. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07178.x . 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07178.x . published Journal of Neurochemistry

Key Modulatory Role of Presynaptic Adenosine A2AReceptors in Cortical Neurotransmission to the Striatal Direct Pathway

Quiroz, César; Luján, Rafael; Uchigashima, Motokazu; Simoes, Ana Patrícia; Lerner, Talia N.; Borycz, Janusz; Kachroo, Anil; et al, The Scientific World JOURNAL. 1321 - 1344. 9. 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2009.143 . 10.1100/tsw.2009.143 . published The Scientific World JOURNAL

GDNF control of the glutamatergic cortico-striatal pathway requires tonic activation of adenosine A2A receptors

Gomes, Catarina A. R. V.; Simões, Patrícia F.; Canas, Paula M.; Quiroz, César; Sebastião, Ana M.; Ferré, Sergi; Cunha, Rodrigo A.; Ribeiro, Joaquim A., Journal of Neurochemistry. 1208 - 1219. 5. 108. 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.05876.x . 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.05876.x . published Journal of Neurochemistry

Methamphetamine Changes NMDA and AMPA Glutamate Receptor Subunit Levels in the Rat Striatum and Frontal Cortex

Simões, Patrícia F.; Silva, Ana P.; Pereira, Frederico C.; Marques, Elsa; Milhazes, Nuno; Borges, Fernanda; Ribeiro, Carlos F.; Macedo, Tice R., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 232 - 241. 1. 1139. 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1196/annals.1432.028 . 10.1196/annals.1432.028 . published Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Methamphetamine induces alterations on hippocampal NMDA and AMPA receptor subunit levels and impairs spatial working memory

Simões, P.F.; Silva, A.P.; Pereira, F.C.; Marques, E.; Grade, S.; Milhazes, N.; Borges, F.; Ribeiro, C.F.; Macedo, T.R., Neuroscience. 433 - 441. 2. 150. 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.09.044 . 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.09.044 . published Neuroscience

Activity and expression of a virulence factor, gelatinase, in dairy enterococci

Lopes, Maria de Fátima Silva; Simões, Ana Patrícia; Tenreiro, Rogério; Marques, José Joaquim Figueiredo; Crespo, Maria Teresa Barreto, International Journal of Food Microbiology. 208 - 214. 3. 112. 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2006.09.004 . 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2006.09.004 . published International Journal of Food Microbiology

Todos os projectos

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Informação da exclusiva responsabilidade do investigador 22-06-2025 , a partir da plataforma CIÊNCIAVITAE.

2019/10 - 2021/09

Adenosine A2A receptors as an opportunity to manage and detail the neurobiology of emotional distress

Fundacion La Caixa 2019

Researcher

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Obra Social La Caixa

2018/07 - 2021/06

Adenosine A2A receptors as triggers of memory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: mechanisms and therapeutic prospects

PAS/31274

Post-doc Fellow

Financiadores: Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro

2017 - 2018

Study of caffeine derivatives in the inhibition of Alzheimer's disease and as the basis to develop new therapeutics agents

Maratona da Saúde 2017

Post-doc Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2016/05 - 2018/06

Role of astrocytes in the control of memory- focus on adenosine A2A receptors

PTDC/NEU-NMC/4154/2014

Post-doc Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2015/01 - 2017/06

The up-regulation of hippocampal adenosine A2A receptors is necessary and sufficient to trigger memory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

MB-98-2014

Post-doc Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa

2014/09 - 2016/08

Role of adenosine A2A receptors in different brain circuits differently impact on reward and fear

NARSAD Independent Investigator Grant

Post-doc Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Brain and Behavior Research Foundation

2014 - 2015

Transcriptome, epigenome and proteome dysregulation in human circuits regulating reward, fear and habit learning

DARPA-BAA-10-55

Post-doc Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

2014 - 2016

New treatments for stress-induced dysregulation of circuits regulating reward, fear and habit learning

DARPA-09-68-ESR-FP-010

Post-doc Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

2012/04 - 2014/09

Role of accumbens and amygdala in the control of chronic stress neuropathology

grant.Provided by PTCRIS: 122254

Post-doc Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2010/03 - 2012/09

Role of ATP and its P2Y1 receptors in neuroprotection

grant.Provided by PTCRIS: 100423

PhD Student Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2010/03 - 2012/02

Role of adenosine A2A receptors in microglia and glutamatergic synapses in the control of synaptic plasticity and brain damage

grant.Provided by PTCRIS: 108668

PhD Student Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2007/05 - 2010/04

Interaction between nicotine and caffeine in the striatum. Relevance for Parkinson´s disease

grant.Provided by PTCRIS: 81064

PhD Student Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2007/06 - 2009/08

Role of extracellular ATP and characterization of purinergic receptors in the resistance of Candida albicans to macrophage attack

grant.Provided by PTCRIS: 81436

PhD Student Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

2007/07 - 2009/10

Effect of purines in the developing hippocampus: consequences for the establishement of circuits related to learning and memory

grant.Provided by PTCRIS: 74318

PhD Student Fellow

Universidade de Coimbra Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular

Financiadores: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

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