Research Activity:
The focus of the research performed by the Molecular Neurology Unit of the Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine of The University of Chieti-Pescara that I lead concerns mechanisms of neurodegeneration in conditions like brain aging, ALS, cerebral ischemia, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Particular emphasis is put on excitotoxic conditions resulting from glutamate receptor overactivation. Over the years, our group has employed advanced ionic imaging and electrophysiological techniques along with genomic and proteomic approaches to providing critical insights into intracellular changes in living neurons exposed to excitotoxic challenges. These techniques have been employed in “in vivo” and “in vitro” models of neurological diseases.
The group has also made use of pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological approaches to delay cognitive decline in aging individuals, MCI, and AD patients. To that aim, we have employed a wide range of techniques including proteomic, metabolomic, genomic, and neuroimaging (fMRI, MRI,) approaches to investigate the response to cognitive training programs as well as cognitive enhancing compounds.
Present Position:
Professor of Neurology University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
Deputy Director of the Center of Excellence on Aging and Translational Medicine (CeSI-MET) of The University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
Head of the Molecular Neurology Unit, CeSI-MET
Visiting Professor of Neurology and Pharmacology, University of California-Irvine
Dean of the School of Occupational Therapy, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy