The main research area concerns field of the neurobiological effects of drugs of abuse on different neuronal systems such as dopaminergic neurons, serotoninergic neurons and pars reticulata cells after chronic treatments with different drugs of abuse and subsequent withdrawal. In particular, his research has identified a tonic reduction in the spontaneous electrophysiological activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens after withdrawal from chronic treatments with ethanol and opioids. It was further shown, that these changes (hypofunction) in DA neuronal functioning overlap and outlast behavioral somatic signs of withdrawal suggesting a role, for this system, in the long lasting consequences of chronic drug intake and withdrawal. More recently, cannabinoid-induced effects were investigated and similar results were observed after chronic treatment and withdrawal. It was further shown that acute administration of cannabinoid agents, such as D9-THC and WIN 55212-2, was able to stimulate the activity of antidromically-identified dopaminergic neurons projecting to the prefrontal cortex and that this effect appears to be mediated by CB1 receptors being antagonized by the selective Cb1 antagonist SR 141716A. Marco Diana is now involved in continuing his research projects on the neurobiological effects of alchol, opiates and cannabinoids; specifically on the biophysiscal and morphological changes induced, in the VTA and various dopaminoceptive areas (nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex), after chronic administration of addicting chemicals.

Referee for Alcohol and Alcoholism, Brain Res., Brain Res. Bull., Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacology, J. Physiol., J. Neurophysiol., J. Pharmacol. Exptl. Ther., Mol. Pharmacol., Pharmacol., Biochem. & Behav., Progr. in Neurobiol., Progr. in Neuropsychopharmacol. & Biol. Psych., Eur. J. Neurosci, Neurosci. Lett., Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev., Neuropharmacology, Neuropsychopharmacology. He is author of more than 70 publications in international journals.

Peana AT, Enrico P, Assaretti AR, Pulighe E, Muggironi G, Nieddu M, Piga A, Lintas A, Diana M.Key role of ethanol-derived acetaldehyde in the motivational properties induced by intragastric ethanol: a conditioned place preference study in the rat.Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2008 Feb;32(2):249-58.
Melis M, Enrico P, Peana AT, Diana M.Acetaldehyde mediates alcohol activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Eur J Neurosci. 2007 Nov;26(10):2824-33.
Diana M., Spiga S., Acquas E. (2006). Persistent and Reversible Morphine Withdrawal-Induced Morphological Changes in the Nucleus Accumbens. In: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Drugs of Abuse and Neurotoxicity: Cocaine, GHB, and Substituted Amphetamines. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Drugs of Abuse and Neurotoxicity, 2005. (vol. 1074, pp. 446-457). BOSTON (MA): Blackwell Publishing
Pirastu R, Fais R, Messina M, Bini V, Spiga S, Falconieri D, Diana M. (2006). Impaired decision-making in opiate-dependent subjects: Effect of pharmacological therapies. Drug Alcohol Depend. 83: 163-168.
Spiga S, Puddu MC, Pisano M, Diana M.Morphine withdrawal-induced morphological changes in the nucleus accumbens. Eur J Neurosci. 22: 2332-2340.
Quertemont E, Eriksson CJ, Zimatkin SM, Pronko PS, Diana M, Pisano M, Rodd ZA, Bell RR, Ward RJ. (2005) Is ethanol a pro-drug? Acetaldehyde contribution to brain ethanol effects. Alcohol Clin Exp Res.29: 1514-1521.
M. Melis, S. Spiga and M. Diana (2005) The dopamine hypothesis of drug addiction: hypodopaminergic state. Int Rev Neurobiol. 63: 101-154.
M. Foddai, G. Dosia, S. Spiga and M.Diana (2004) Acetaldehyde increases dopaminergic neuronal activity in the VTA. Neuropsychopharmacology 29(3): 530-536.
S. Spiga, G.P. Serra, M. C. Puddu, M. Foddai and M. Diana. (2003) Morphine withdrawal-induced abnormalities in the VTA: confocal laser scanning microscopy. Eur. J. Neurosci. 17: 605-612.
M. Diana and J.M. Tepper (2002) Electrophysiological pharmacology of mesencephalic dopamine neurons. In: Hand book of experimental pharmacology, vol. 154/II: Pharmacology of dopamine in the CNS. (G. Di Chiara Ed.) Springer-Verlag (pp.1-62).
L. Pulvirenti and M. Diana (2001) Drug dependence as a disorder of neural plasticity: focus on dopamine and glutamate. Rev. Neurosci. 12: 41-59.