Nursing and Human Sciences

Biographical Details:

Dr. Stella Vlachou, B.Sc., Ph.D., is a Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Dublin City University, and a Principal Investigator of the Biopsychology/Behavioural Neuroscience laboratory at Dublin City University. She received her BSc in Psychology from the Department of Psychology, University of Crete, Greece, in 2001 (graduated 1st in the School of Social Sciences). In 2006, she received her Ph.D. in Neuropsychopharmacology from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete, Greece, under the supervision of Dr. George Panagis, Associate Professor in Biopsychology. Her Ph.D. dissertation focused on the role of the endogenous cannabinoid system on behaviour and reward mechanisms. During her Ph.D. studies, Dr. Vlachou also investigated the effects of cannabinoid compounds on cocaine- and alcohol-induced reinforcement as an EU Marie-Curie Pre-doctoral Fellow (supervisor Professor David N. Stephens, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK, 2003). Towards the end of her Ph.D. studies, she worked as a researcher in a collaborative project with the pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Departments of Pharmacology of the Medical Schools of the Universities of Athens, Ioannina and Heraklion (all three are Universities in Greece) to conduct research on the analgesic, psychomotor and psychotropic effects of novel cannabinoid analogs. From 2007 until 2011, Dr. Vlachou worked as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow in the laboratory of Professor Athina Markou at the Department of Psychiatry of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), extensively investigating the role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in nicotine dependence through a collaborative grant received from the National Institute of Health (NIH, USA). More specifically, she examined the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptor compounds on the reinforcing effects of nicotine or the depression-like aspects of nicotine withdrawal. Further, in 2009, Dr. Vlachou received a post-doctoral fellowship award from the State of California (Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program) to investigate the effects of GABA in impulsivity and nicotine dependence. She joined the BSc in Psychology Program at DCU in September 2011. Module co-ordinator for: NS125 Biological Psychology 1; NS228 Biological Psychology 2; NS144 Philosophy of Psychology; NS337 Psychopharmacology; NS4532 Neuropsychology; NS4539 Behavioural Neuroscience Lab Practical.

Research Interests:

Dr. Vlachou's main research interests include: Interactions between drugs of abuse and brain reward systems; The role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in behavior and reward; The role of GABAB receptor compounds on the reinforcing effects of nicotine or the depression-like aspects of nicotine withdrawal; Interactions of drugs of abuse, such as nicotine, alcohol and cannabinoids, and their effects in impulsivity and drug dependence during adolescence and adulthood.

Selected Peer Reviewed Journals

• Vlachou S., Guery S., Froestl W., Banerjee D., Benedict J., Finn M.G., Markou A. 2011. Repeated administration of the GABA-B receptor positive modulator BHF177 decreased nicotine self-administration, and acute administration decreased cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking in rats. Psychopharmacology, 215, 1, pp117-128.
• Vlachou S., Paterson N.E., Guery S., Kaupmann K., Froestl W., Banerjee D., Finn M.G., Markou A. 2011. Both GABA-B receptor activation and blockade exacerbated anhedonic aspects of nicotine withdrawal in rats. European Journal Of Pharmacology, 655, (1-3), pp52-58.
• Paterson N.E., Vlachou S., Guery S., Kaupmann K., Froestl W., Markou A. 2008. Positive modulation of GABA-B receptors decreased nicotine self-administration and counteracted nicotine-induced enhancement of brain reward function in rats. Journal Of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics, 326, 1, pp306-314.
• Vlachou S., Stamatopoulou F., Nomikos G.G., Panagis G. 2008. Enhancement of endocannabinoid neurotransmission through CB1 cannabinoid receptors counteracts the reinforcing and psychostimulant effects of cocaine. International Journal Of Neuropsychopharmacology, 11, 7, pp905-923.
• Vlachou S., Nomikos G.G., Stephens D.N., Panagis G. 2007. Lack of evidence for appetitive effects of Ä9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the intracranial self-stimulation and conditioned place preference procedures in rodents.. Behavioural Pharmacology, 18, 4, pp311-319.
• Vlachou S., Nomikos G.G., Panagis G.. 2006. Effects of endocannabinoid neurotransmission enhancers on brain stimulation reward.. Psychopharmacology, 188, 3, pp293-305.
• Antoniou K., Galanopoulos A., Vlachou S., Nahmias V., Thermos K., Panagis G., Daifoti Z., Marselos M., Papahatjis D., Spyraki C.. 2005. Behavioral pharmacological properties of a novel cannabinoid 1¿,1¿-dithiolane Ä8-THC analogue, AMG-3. Behavioural Pharmacology, 16, 5-6, pp499-510.
• Vlachou S., Nomikos G.G., Panagis G. 2005. CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonists increase intracranial self-stimulation thresholds in the rat.. Psychopharmacology, 179, 2, pp498-508.
• Vlachou S., Nomikos G.G., Panagis G. 2003. WIN 55,212-2 decreases the reinforcing actions of cocaine through CB1 cannabinoid receptor stimulation.. Behavioural Brain Research, 141, 2, pp215-222.

Selected Chapters

• Vlachou S., Markou A. 2011. Intracranial self-stimulation. Neuromethods, pp3-56.

Reviews

• Vlachou, S., Panagis, G. 2013. Regulation of Brain Reward by the Endocannabinoid System: A critical review of Behavioral Studies in Animals. Current Pharmaceutical Design,
• Vlachou S., Markou A. 2010. GABA-B receptors in reward processes. Advances In Pharmacology, 57, pp315-371.
• Panagis G., Vlachou S., Nomikos G.G. 2008. Behavioral pharmacology of cannabinoids with a focus on preclinical models for studying reinforcing and dependence-producing properties. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 1, pp350-374.

• Vlachou S., Semenova S., Contet C., Roberts A., and Markou A. , Mice lacking the â4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor show memory deficits, altered anxiety- and depression-like behavior, and diminished nicotine-induced analgesia. , Annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting, 05-NOV-11 - , Washington DC, USA, #864.28/C10 -
• Vlachou S., Semenova S., Contet C., Roberts A., and Markou A. , Mice lacking the â4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor show memory deficits, altered anxiety- and depression-like behavior, and diminished nicotine-induced analgesia., Society for Neuroscience satellite meeting ¿Nicotine Acetylcholine receptors as therapeutics targets: Emerging Frontiers in Basic Research and Clinical Science¿, 03-NOV-11 - , Washington DC, USA, 1038 -
• Vlachou S., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., Banerjee D., Finn M.G., and Markou A. , The effects of BHF177 and BIK998, two GABAB receptor positive modulators, on nicotine self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior in rats. , Annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting, 20-OCT-09 - , Chicago, IL, USA, #648.16 -
• Vlachou S., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., Banerjee D., Finn M.G., and Markou A. , GABAB receptor positive modulators: effects on nicotine self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior in rats. , Society for Neuroscience satellite meeting ¿Nicotine Acetylholine receptors as therapeutics targets¿, 19-OCT-09 - , Chicago, IL, USA, 917 -
• Vlachou S., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., Banerjee D., Finn M.G., and Markou A. , Evaluation of the effects of GABAB receptor positive modulators on nicotine self-administration and cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behavior prevention in rats. , European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Meeting, 03-SEP-09 - , Rome, Italy, #P175, S74 -
• Vlachou S., Paterson N.E., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., and Markou A. , Both GABAB receptor activation and blockade exacerbated anhedonic aspects of nicotine withdrawal in rats. , Annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting, 15-NOV-08 - , Washington DC, USA, #258.8 -
• Vlachou S., Paterson N.E., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., and Markou A. , Exacerbation of depression-like aspects of nicotine withdrawal in rats by both GABAB receptor activation and blockade. , European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Workshop, 25-AUG-08 - , Cork, Ireland, 658, S28 -
• Antoniou K., Chouliara O., Polissidis A., Vlachou S., Mavrikaki M., Papalexi M., Mastrodimou N., Nahmias V., Gianni M., Kondylis M.P., Panagis G., Thermos K., Papahatjis D., Papadopoulou-Daifoti Z., and Spyraki C. , Pharmacological profiles of novel ligands for cannabinoid receptors., Annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting, 05-NOV-07 - , San Diego, CA, USA, #914.19 -
• Vlachou S., Paterson N.E., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., and Markou A., GABAB receptor positive modulators decrease nicotine self-administration in rats., Annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting, 05-NOV-07 - , San Diego, CA, USA, #273.16 -
• Vlachou S., Paterson N.E., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., and Markou A. , GABAB receptor positive modulators decrease nicotine self-administration in rats., Society for Neuroscience satellite meeting ¿Nicotine Acetylholine receptors as therapeutics targets¿, 01-NOV-07 - , San Diego, CA, USA, #SMA-44, 4.7 -
• Vlachou S., Paterson N.E., Guery S., Froestl W., Kaupmann K., and Markou A. , GABAB receptor positive modulators decrease nicotine self-administration in rats., Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program Meeting, 20-OCT-07 - , Sacramento, CA, USA, 20 -
• Antoniou K., Chouliara O., Polissidis A., Vlachou S., Mavrikaki M., Papalexi M., Mastrodimou N., Nahmias V., Gianni M., Kondylis M.P., Panagis G., Thermos K., Papahatjis D., Papadopoulou-Daifoti Z., and Spyraki C., Novel ligands for cannabinoid receptors: Pharmacological studies., 12th Biennial European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Meeting, 01-SEP-07 - , Tubingen, Germany
• Panagis, G., Vlachou, S., and Nomikos, G. , The role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in behaviour and reward mechanisms, 5th Panhellenic conference on Alzheimer¿s disease and related disorders, 01-SEP-07 - , Athens, Greece, 269 - 271
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G., Modulation of cocaine¿s reinforcing and stimulant effects by cannabinoids., Annual Society for Biological Psychiatry Meeting, 03-MAY-07 - , San Diego, CA, USA, 7 -
• Thermos K., Mastrodimou N., Papazoglou M., Antoniou K., Panagis G.T., Vlachou S., Nahmias V., Menissiou A., Gianni M., Papahatjis D., Kondylis M., Spyraki C., Pharmacological and behavioral characterization of novel ligands for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. , Annual Society for Neuroscience Meeting, 01-NOV-06 - , USA, 766.12/KK2 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., Stephens, D.N., and Panagis, G., Non-rewarding responses of Ä9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the intracranial self-stimulation and conditioned place preference paradigms., 20th Meeting of The Hellenic Society for Neuroscience,, 01-OCT-06 - , Irakleion, Crete, Greece, 122 - 123
• Panagis, G., Antoniou, K., Thermos, K., Papazoglou M., Mastrodimou N., Polissidis A., Vlachou, S., Nahmias, V., Kondylis M.P., Papahatjis, D., Daifoti-Papadopoulou, Z., and Spyraki, C., Pharmacological profile of DPG-4, a new ligand for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. , 5th Meeting of The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, 06-JUL-06 - , Vienna, Austria, 238 -
• Vlachou, S., Stamatopoulou, F., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G. , Cannabinoids prevent cocaine-induced psychomotor stimulation through CB1 cannabinoid receptor., 5th Meeting of The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, 06-JUL-06 - , Vienna, Austria, 258 -
• Panagis, G., Antoniou, K., Thermos, K., Papazoglou M., Mastrodimou N., Polissidis A., Vlachou, S., Nahmias, V., Kondylis M.P., Papahatjis, D., Daifoti-Papadopoulou, Z., and Spyraki, C. , Pharmacological profile of DPG-4, a new ligand for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. , 4th Panhellenic Congress of Pharmacology of The Hellenic Society for Pharmacology, 01-MAY-06 - , Patras, Greece, 263 -
• Vlachou, S., Stamatopoulou, F., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G. , Cannabinoids prevent cocaine-induced psychomotor stimulation through CB1 cannabinoid receptor., 4th Panhellenic Congress of Pharmacology of The Hellenic Society for Pharmacology, 01-MAY-06 - , Patras, Greece, 351 -
• Thermos, K., Papazoglou M., Antoniou, K., Mastrodimou N., Panagis, G., Vlachou, S., Renieri E., Nahmias, V., Menisiou A., Gianni M., Kondylis M.P., Daifoti-Papadopoulou, Z., Papahatjis, D., and Spyraki, C., Pharmacological characterization of novel ligands for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. , 4th Panhellenic Congress of Pharmacology of The Hellenic Society for Pharmacology, 01-MAY-06 - , Patras, Greece, 335 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G., Effects of endocannabinoid neurotransmission enhancers in the intracranial self-stimulation paradigm and the reinforcing actions of cocaine. , 18th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, 20-OCT-05 - , Amsterdam, The Netherlands, S369 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G. , Effects of endocannabinoid neurotransmission enhancers in the intracranial self-stimulation paradigm and the reinforcing actions of cocaine. , 18th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress, 20-OCT-05 - , Amsterdam, The Netherlands, S369 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G., Endocannabinoid modulators do not exhibit reinforcing properties but rather reduce the rewarding effects of cocaine in the intracranial self-stimulation paradigm., 19th Meeting of The Hellenic Society for Neuroscience, 01-OCT-05 - , Athens, Greece, 282 -
• Vlachou, S., Stamatopoulou, F., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G., Cannabinoids prevent cocaine-induced psychomotor stimulation., 19th Meeting of The Hellenic Society for Neuroscience, 01-OCT-05 - , Athens, Greece, 285 -
• Vlachou, S., Stamatopoulou, F., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G., Cannabinoids prevent cocaine-induced psychomotor stimulation., 11th Biennial European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Meeting, 05-SEP-05 - , Barcelona, Spain, S97 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G. , Endocannabinoid modulators do not exhibit reinforcing properties but rather reduce the rewarding effects of cocaine in the intracranial self-stimulation paradigm., 11th Biennial European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Meeting, 05-SEP-05 - , Barcelona, Spain, S98 -
• Vlachou, S., Stamatopoulou, F., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G., The endocannabinoid neurotransmission enhancer AM-404 counteracts the psychomotor and rewarding effects of cocaine., British Association for Psychopharmacology Annual Meeting, 26-JUL-05 - , Harrogate, UK, A22 -
• Antoniou, K., Galanopoulos, A., Vlachou, S., Nahmias, V., Thermos, K., Panagis, G., Daifoti, Z., Marselos, M., Papahatjis, D., and Spyraki, C. , A novel cannabinoid analogue: Preclinical behavioral evaluation. New Trends in Biomedical Research. , 4th Conference of the German-Greek Academy for Biomedical Research, 01-MAR-05 - , Ioannina, Greece
• Antoniou, K., Galanopoulos, A., Vlachou, S., Nahmias, V., Thermos, K., Panagis, G., Daifoti, Z., Marselos, M., Papahatjis, D., and Spyraki, C. , Behavioral pharmacological properties of a novel cannabinoid analogue. New Trends in Biomedical Research., 4th Conference of the German-Greek Academy for Biomedical Research, 01-MAR-05 - , Ioannina, Greece, 24 - 28
• Antoniou, K., Galanopoulos, A., Vlachou, S., Nahmias, V., Thermos, K., Panagis, G., Daifoti, Z., Marselos, M., Papahatjis, D., and Spyraki, C., Preclinical behavioral evaluation of a novel cannabinoid analogue., 7th Pharmacology Symposium of the Hellenic Society of Pharmacology, 01-FEB-05 - , Athens, Greece, 26 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., Stephens, D.N., and Panagis, G. , ¿To have and have not¿ appetitive responses of cannabinoids in the intracranial self-stimulation and conditioned place preference paradigms., 4th Meeting of The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, 06-JUL-04 - , Lisbon, Portugal, 203 -
• Vlachou, S., Galanopoulos, A., Stamatopoulou, F., Kastellakis, A., Nomikos, G., and Panagis, G. , Effects of cannabinoid ligands and endocannabinoid modulators on hedonic homeostasis: role of CB1 receptors. , 18th Meeting of The Hellenic Society for Neuroscience, 20-OCT-03 - , Athens, Greece, 188 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., Kastellakis, A., and Panagis, G., Deconstructing the role of cannabinoids in brain stimulation reward., 23rd European Winter Conference on Brain Research, 01-MAR-03 - , Arc 1800, The French Alps, France, 88 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., Kastellakis, A., and Panagis, G., Unraveling the role of cannabinoids in brain stimulation reward. , 17th Meeting of The Hellenic Society for Neuroscience, 01-OCT-02 - , Rethymno, Crete, Greece, 69 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., Kastellakis, A., and Panagis, G., Involvement of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the reinforcing actions of cocaine. , 3rd Meeting of The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies, 13-JUL-02 - , Paris, France, 211 -
• Vlachou, S., Nomikos, G., Kastellakis, A., and Panagis, G. , Involvement of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the reinforcing actions of cocaine., 2nd Meeting of The Hellenic Society for Pharmacology, 15-FEB-02 - , Athens, Greece, 107 -
• Panagis, G., Vlachou, S., and Kastellakis, A. , The effects of ventral tegmental administration of GABAA, GABAB, NMDA and AMPA receptor agonists on ventral pallidum self-stimulation., 16th Meeting of The Hellenic Society for Neuroscience, 01-OCT-01 - , Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece, 104 -