Dr. Monique VALLEE | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award 

Research Director, at CNRS/Inserm-Neurocentre Magendie, France.

Dr. Monique Vallée is a distinguished French neuroscientist, currently serving as a Research Director (DR2) at CNRS within the Neurocentre Magendie in Bordeaux. Born on November 28, 1967, she has dedicated over three decades to unraveling the neurobiological underpinnings of stress-related disorders, focusing on neurosteroids and endocannabinoid systems. Her work bridges fundamental neuroscience with translational applications, aiming to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for conditions like addiction and PTSD. Dr. Vallée co-founded Aelis Farma, a biotech company in Bordeaux, and has been instrumental in advancing preclinical research on pregnenolone analogs. Her leadership extends to mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, contributing significantly to the scientific community’s understanding of neuroplasticity and stress-related pathologies.

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

🎓 Education 

Dr. Vallée’s academic journey commenced at the University of Poitiers, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Cellular Biology and Pharmacology in 1990. She continued her studies at the University of Poitiers, obtaining a Master’s in Physiology and Pharmacology in 1991, followed by a DEA (Diplôme d’Études Approfondies) in Neurosciences and Pharmacology in 1992. In 1993, she embarked on a doctoral contract at Inserm U259 in Bordeaux, culminating in a PhD in Neurosciences and Pharmacology in 1997. Her postdoctoral research took her to The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, USA, in 1998-2000, where she further honed her expertise. In 2023, Dr. Vallée achieved the Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) from the University of Bordeaux, a significant milestone that qualifies her to supervise doctoral research independently.

💼 Experience 

Dr. Vallée’s professional trajectory reflects a commitment to advancing neuroscience research and its applications. In 2000, she was appointed as a Chargée de Recherche 1ère classe (CR1) at CNRS. Her career progressed with her promotion to Chargée de Recherche Hors Classe (CRHC) in 2022, and subsequently to Research Director 2nd Class (DR2) in 2024. Since 2014, she has served as a Research and Development Consultant for Aelis Farma, a biotech company she co-founded in 2013, focusing on the development of pregnenolone analogs. Her academic roles include teaching positions at the University of Bordeaux, where she was an Attachée Temporaire d’Enseignement et de Recherche (ATER) from 1995 to 1996 and a Monitrice d’enseignement from 1993 to 1995. Dr. Vallée has also been involved in various scientific committees and editorial boards, contributing to the governance and dissemination of research in her field.

🧠 Research Interests 

Dr. Vallée’s research centers on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders, with a particular emphasis on the neurosteroid pregnenolone and its interactions with the endocannabinoid system. Her team at the Neurocentre Magendie investigates how pregnenolone modulates the type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) and its implications for conditions such as addiction, PTSD, and cognitive deficits. Utilizing advanced techniques like high-throughput screening, transgenic mouse models, and behavioral assays, Dr. Vallée’s research aims to elucidate the role of neurosteroids in neuronal plasticity and stress responses. This work holds potential for developing novel therapeutic approaches targeting the CB1R pathway to treat stress-related psychiatric disorders. Additionally, her research extends to the study of glucocorticoid hormones and their impact on memory modulation, further broadening the scope of her investigations into neuroendocrine influences on brain function.oskar-bordeaux.fr+2bordeaux-neurocampus.fr+2neurocentre-magendie.fr+2

🏆 Awards 

Dr. Vallée’s exemplary contributions to neuroscience have been recognized through several prestigious awards. In 2015, she received the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Scientific Paper Award in Lisbon for her publication in Science. That same year, she was honored with a Reviewer Award from the Journal of Steroid and Molecular Biology for her outstanding peer review contributions. In 2022, she was promoted to Research Director 2nd Class (DR2) at CNRS, reflecting her sustained excellence in research. Dr. Vallée also secured an ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche) grant in 2022 as the coordinator of the PREGNENOID project, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the PREG-CB1R regulatory loop in physiological and pathological conditions. Her leadership extends to mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, fostering the next generation of scientists in her field.oskar-bordeaux.fr

📚 Top Noted Publications 

Dr. Vallée has authored and co-authored numerous influential publications in neuroscience. Notably, in 2023, she contributed to a groundbreaking study published in Nature Medicine, titled “Selective CB1 receptor signaling as a therapeutic strategy for cannabis use disorder,” which has been cited extensively in the field. Other significant works include her 2021 publication in Molecular Psychiatry on the role of PAI-1 in PTSD-like fear memory, and her 2022 article in Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience discussing the differential expression of serotonin2B receptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Her recent review in Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology (2024) provides insights into the evolution of steroid research and the functional roles of pregnenolone. Dr. Vallée’s research continues to impact the understanding of neurosteroid functions and their implications for stress-related disorders.bordeaux-neurocampus.froskar-bordeaux.fr

📄 Selected Publications

1. Selective CB₁ Receptor Signaling in Cannabis Use Disorder

• Title: Selective CB₁ receptor signaling as a therapeutic strategy for cannabis use disorder

• Authors: Haney M, Vallée M, Fabre S, et al.

• Journal: Nature Medicine

• Year: 2023

• Volume & Issue: 29(6):1487–1499

• DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02381-w

• Summary: This study investigates the therapeutic potential of AEF0117, a selective CB₁ receptor signaling-specific inhibitor, in treating cannabis use disorder. The research includes preclinical and clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy and safety. nature.com+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1

2. Pregnenolone as a Modulator of CB₁ Receptor Activity

• Title: New perspectives on the role of the neurosteroid pregnenolone as an endogenous regulator of type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB₁R) activity and function

• Authors: Raux PL, Drutel G, Revest JM, Vallée M.

• Journal: Journal of Neuroendocrinology

• Year: 2021

• Volume & Issue: 34(2):e13034

• DOI: 10.1111/jne.13034

• Summary: This review explores the role of pregnenolone, a neurosteroid, in modulating CB₁ receptor activity, highlighting its potential implications in neuroendocrinology and pharmacology.

3. Serotonin₂B Receptors in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus

• Title: Differential expression of serotonin₂B receptors in GABAergic and serotoninergic neurons of the rat and mouse dorsal raphe nucleus

• Authors: Di Franco N, Drutel G, Vallée M, Revest JM.

• Journal: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience

• Year: 2022

• Volume & Issue: 121:103705

• DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2022.103705

• Summary: This study examines the differential expression of serotonin₂B receptors in GABAergic and serotonergic neurons within the dorsal raphe nucleus of rats and mice, providing insights into serotonergic signaling.

4. Advances in Neurosteroid Research

• Title: Advances in steroid research from the pioneering neurosteroid concept to metabolomics: New insights into pregnenolone function

• Author: Vallée M.

• Journal: Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

• Year: 2024

• Volume & Article No.: 72:101113

• DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101113

• Summary: This article provides an overview of the evolution of neurosteroid research, focusing on the role of pregnenolone and the application of metabolomics in understanding its function. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Conclusion

Dr. Monique Vallée exhibits all the hallmarks of an outstanding researcher:

A long-standing record of scientific excellence, translational impact, and academic leadership.

Recognized both nationally and internationally, with a clear commitment to mentoring, innovation, and community service.