World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Rafael Maldonado

Rafael Maldonado

D-Index & Metrics

Medicine

D-Index
101
Citations
35617
World Ranking
8019
National Ranking
115

Overview

Rafael Maldonado is affiliated with Pompeu Fabra University in Spain and has conducted extensive research primarily in the fields of Medicine, Neuroscience, and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Their work spans diverse subfields including Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Cognitive Neuroscience.

The research topics Maldonado focuses on include:

  • Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Gut microbiota and health
  • Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Diet and metabolism studies
  • Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling

The scientist has published in numerous venues, with a notable presence in:

  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • IBRO Neuroscience Reports
  • Neuroscience Applied
  • Nature Communications
  • eLife

Among recent publications, the following papers illustrate the breadth and focus of their research:

  • Microbiota alterations in proline metabolism impact depression, 2022, Cell Metabolism
  • Results from part A of the multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled NefIgArd trial, which evaluated targeted-release formulation of budesonide for the treatment of primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy, 2022, Kidney International
  • Obesity Impairs Short-Term and Working Memory through Gut Microbial Metabolism of Aromatic Amino Acids, 2020, Cell Metabolism
  • Gut microbiota steroid sexual dimorphism and its impact on gonadal steroids: influences of obesity and menopausal status, 2020, Microbiome
  • The blind men and the elephant: Systematic review of systematic reviews of cannabis use related health harms, 2020, European Neuropsychopharmacology

Frequent co-authors collaborating with Maldonado include:

  • Elena Martín-García
  • Andrés Ozaita
  • Jordi Mayneris-Perxachs
  • José Manuel Fernández-Real
  • Aurelijus Burokas

Best Publications

  • Loss of morphine-induced analgesia, reward effect and withdrawal symptoms in mice lacking the mu-opioid-receptor gene.

    Hans W. D. Matthes;Rafael Maldonado;Frédéric Simonin;Olga Valverde

  • Mice deficient for delta- and mu-opioid receptors exhibit opposing alterations of emotional responses

    Dominique Filliol;Sandy Ghozland;Johanna Chluba;Miguel Martin

  • Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in drug addiction.

    Rafael Maldonado;Olga Valverde;Fernando Berrendero

  • Involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascade for cocaine-rewarding properties.

    Emmanuel Valjent;Emmanuel Valjent;Jean-Christophe Corvol;Christiane Pagès;Marie-Jo Besson

  • Involvement of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in emotional behaviour.

    Miquel Martin;Catherine Ledent;Marc Parmentier;Rafael Maldonado

  • Absence of opiate rewarding effects in mice lacking dopamine D2 receptors

    Rafael Maldonado;Adolfo Saiardi;Olga Valverde;Tarek A. Samad

  • Disruption of the κ-opioid receptor gene in mice enhances sensitivity to chemical visceral pain, impairs pharmacological actions of the selective κ-agonist U-50,488H and attenuates morphine withdrawal

    Frédéric Simonin;Olga Valverde;Claire Smadja;Susan Slowe

  • Knockout of ERK1 MAP kinase enhances synaptic plasticity in the striatum and facilitates striatal-mediated learning and memory

    Cristina Mazzucchelli;Chiara Vantaggiato;Alessandro Ciamei;Stefania Fasano

  • The endocannabinoid system in guarding against fear, anxiety and stress

    Beat Lutz;Giovanni Marsicano;Rafael Maldonado;Cecilia J. Hillard

  • Human N-methyl D-aspartate receptor antibodies alter memory and behaviour in mice

    Jesús Planagumà;Frank Leypoldt;Francesco Mannara;Francesco Mannara;Javier Gutiérrez-Cuesta

  • Neural substrates of opiate withdrawal.

    George F. Koob;Rafael Maldonado;Luis Stinus

  • Role of different brain structures in the expression of the physical morphine withdrawal syndrome

    Rafael Maldonado;L. Stinus;L. H. Gold;George F. Koob

  • Cannabinoid modulation of hippocampal long-term memory is mediated by mTOR signaling

    Emma Puighermanal;Giovanni Marsicano;Arnau Busquets-Garcia;Beat Lutz

  • Functional Interaction between Opioid and Cannabinoid Receptors in Drug Self-Administration

    M. Navarro;M. R. A. Carrera;W. Fratta;O. Valverde

  • Reduction of Morphine Abstinence in Mice with a Mutation in the Gene Encoding CREB

    Rafael Maldonado;Julie A. Blendy;Eleni Tzavara;Peter Gass

  • Behavioural and biochemical evidence for interactions between Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and nicotine

    Emmanuel Valjent;Emmanuel Valjent;Jennifer M Mitchell;Marie-Jo Besson;Jocelyne Caboche

  • Pregnenolone Can Protect the Brain from Cannabis Intoxication

    Monique Vallée;Monique Vallée;Sergio Vitiello;Sergio Vitiello;Luigi Bellocchio;Luigi Bellocchio;Etienne Hébert-Chatelain;Etienne Hébert-Chatelain

  • Motivational Effects of Cannabinoids Are Mediated by μ-Opioid and κ-Opioid Receptors

    Sandy Ghozland;Hans W. D. Matthes;Frederic Simonin;Dominique Filliol

  • Differential role of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in memory and anxiety-like responses.

    Arnau Busquets-Garcia;Emma Puighermanal;Antoni Pastor;Rafael de la Torre

  • Participation of noradrenergic pathways in the expression of opiate withdrawal : Biochemical and pharmacological evidence

    Rafael Maldonado

Frequent Co-Authors

Olga Valverde
Olga Valverde Pompeu Fabra University
Patricia Robledo
Patricia Robledo Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques
Fernando Berrendero
Fernando Berrendero Francisco de Vitoria University
Brigitte L. Kieffer
Brigitte L. Kieffer University of Strasbourg
Catherine Ledent
Catherine Ledent Université Libre de Bruxelles
Bernard P. Roques
Bernard P. Roques Université Paris Cité
Giovanni Marsicano
Giovanni Marsicano University of Bordeaux
George F. Koob
George F. Koob National Institute on Drug Abuse
Jorge Manzanares
Jorge Manzanares Miguel Hernandez University
Mara Dierssen
Mara Dierssen Centre for Genomic Regulation

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring alternative healthcare education pathways can open doors to varied medical careers. For those looking to build on existing nursing credentials, pursuing the cheapest online BSN programs provides a flexible, cost-effective route to further qualifications. These programs often suit working nurses aiming to expand their career options without sacrificing affordability.

If you’re transitioning to nursing from a non-nursing background, programs designed for a non nursing bachelor's to MSN online allow you to fast-track your career. These accelerated degrees are ideal for professionals seeking a shift into advanced nursing roles.

Gaining admission can be a challenge, but there are easy nursing programs to get into that remove some barriers while maintaining accreditation. These can provide a smoother entry point for prospective students.

Not all healthcare roles require direct patient care—medical administration is an increasingly popular field. Those interested can find reputable medical coding and billing classes online with financial aid, making education more accessible while preparing for in-demand office-based healthcare jobs.

Best Scientists Citing Rafael Maldonado

Trending Scientists