MARCO BORTOLATO portrait
  • Professor, Pharmacology And Toxicology
801-587-3352

Research Interests

My research is primarily focused on the characterization of the biological bases of neurodevelopmental disorders through the employment of behavioral tests in animal models. In particular, my key scientific interest is the identification of the mechanisms of interaction between lipid mediators (including neuroactive steroids and endocannabinoids) and key brain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. To this end, we employ a broad array of behavioral, biochemical and molecular biological techniques, as well as stereotactic surgery and HPLC.

The long-term goal of this research is the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of pathological aggression, autism-spectrum disorder, Tourette syndrome, schizophrenia and impulse-control disorders (such as pathological gambling).

My laboratory is currently involved in two major translational research projects. The first target of our investigations is the characterization of the molecular substrates of gene x environment interactions in impulsive aggression. The second aim of our research is the development of novel steroid- and cannabinoid-based tools for the therapy of impulse- control disorders, Tourette syndrome, autism and schizophrenia. Both projects involve multiple collaborations with several basic and clinical scientists in US, Canada, Italy, France and Germany.

Publications

  • The role of neuroactive steroids in tic disorders. Branca C, Bortolato M. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2024 May;160:105637. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105637. Epub 2024 Mar 20. PMID: 38519023 Review. Published, 03/02/2024.
  • Endocannabinoid-dependent decrease of GABAergic transmission on dopaminergic neurons is associated with susceptibility to cocaine stimulant effects in pre-adolescent male MAOA hypomorphic mice exposed to early life stress. Serra V, Aroni S, Bortolato M, Frau R, Melis M. Neuropharmacology. 2023 Aug 1;233:109548. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109548. Epub 2023 Apr 18. PMID: 37080337 Free article. Published, 08/01/2023.
  • Psychological resilience and hyperthymia: Is there a link? Scheggi S, Bortolato M. J Affect Disord. 2023 Oct 1;338:187-188. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.021. Epub 2023 Jun 9. PMID: 37301294 No abstract available. Published, 06/09/2023.
  • Prefrontal allopregnanolone mediates the adverse effects of acute stress in a mouse model of tic pathophysiology. Cadeddu R, Van Zandt M, Santovito LS, Odeh K, Anderson CJ, Flanagan D, Nordkild P, Pinna G, Pittenger C, Bortolato M. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2023 Aug;48(9):1288-1299. doi: 10.1038/s41386-023-01603-6. Epub 2023 May 17. PMID: 37198434 Free PMC article. Published, 05/17/2023.
  • Allopregnanolone: The missing link to explain the effects of stress on tic exacerbation? Bortolato M, Coffey BJ, Gabbay V, Scheggi S. J Neuroendocrinol. 2022 Feb;34(2):e13022. doi: 10.1111/jne.13022. Epub 2021 Aug 22. PMID: 34423500 Free PMC article. Review. Published, 08/22/2021.
  • The role of monoamine oxidase A in the neurobiology of aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior: A tale of mice and men. Kolla NJ, Bortolato M. Prog Neurobiol. 2020 Nov;194:101875. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101875. Epub 2020 Jun 20. PMID: 32574581 Free PMC article. Review. Published, 11/2020.
  • Repurposing steroidogenesis inhibitors for the therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders: Promises and caveats. Frau R, Bortolato M. Neuropharmacology. 2019 Mar 15;147:55-65. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.013. Epub 2018 May 11. PMID: 29907425 Review. Published, 05/15/2019.
  • Modeling tics in rodents: Conceptual challenges and paths forward. Bortolato M, Pittenger C. J Neurosci Methods. 2017 Dec 1;292:12 19. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.02.007. Epub 2017 Feb 22. PMID: 28237575 Free PMC article. Review. Published, 12/01/2017.
  • Animal models of tic disorders: a translational perspective. Godar SC, Mosher LJ, Di Giovanni G, Bortolato M. J Neurosci Methods. 2014 Dec 30;238:54-69. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.09.008. Epub 2014 Sep 20. PMID: 25244952 Free PMC article. Review. Published, 09/20/2014.
  • The role of the serotonergic system at the interface of aggression and suicide. Bortolato M, Pivac N, Muck Seler D, Nikolac Perkovic M, Pessia M, Di Giovanni G. Neuroscience. 2013 Apr 16;236:160 85. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.015. Epub 2013 Jan 16. PMID: 23333677 Free PMC article. Review. Published, 04/16/2013.