Within the FASC department two research groups are active. The research group « Experimental Neuropharmacology » is involved in in vivo neurochemistry, neuropharmacology and pharmacokinetics in animal models of a number of neurological disorders. The group is particularly interested in Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, focal transient brain ischemia and more recently cognitive decline and depression. The aim is to study the pathophysiological changes in the brain at different levels in order to define new strategies for drug development and drug testing. In vivo microdialysis is used to sample different neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA from specific brain areas in freely moving rats (or mice). The neurochemical data obtained with microdialysis are supported with behavioural tests (rotational behaviour in parkinsonian rats, morris water maze, evaluation of seizure severity, ...) and immunological techniques such as immunocytochemistry, ELISA and Western blotting (tyrosine hydroxylase, caspases, NOS, glutamate and GABA transporters...). The group has a strong analytical background and is specialized in developing and validating microbore LC techniques with electrochemical or fluorescent detection for the determination of neurotransmitters in microdialysates. It also has ample experience with the capillary electrophoresis technique. More recently, capillary / nano LC-MS/MS was introduced to determine neuropeptides and drugs from microdialysates. For some of these drugs such as anti-epileptics, the microdialysis technique is also applied to study their pharmacokinetics and brain distribution with the ultimate goal to carry out PK-PD modeling. The research group «Seamless Care» aims to gain a better understanding of the barriers to and possibilities of providing seamless care and collecting evidence with a view to reducing the incidence of Drug Related Problems (DRP's) in the shift from the hospital to primary care. SeCa investigates which organisation and communication models are suitable and to what extent a clinical pharmacist can play a role in the transfer of care.