Head of Research Line 3
Dott.ssa Donatella Mattia
Objective
Neurological diseases have a huge impact on the sustainability of the healthcare system and serious economic and social consequences. Neurorehabilitation thus plays a fundamental role in reducing the disabilities associated with these conditions. In this context, the integration of molecular biology, genetics, neurophysiology, neuroimaging, and neuropsychology biomarkers can lead to the development of early diagnostic pathways and more targeted and personalized therapeutic approaches. Moreover, the introduction of numerous technology-based devices in clinical rehabilitation is both a novelty and a challenge for the National Health Service (NHS), highlighting the growing need to establish evidence on the efficacy of technology-based therapeutic approaches. It is therefore crucial that the NHS can quickly integrate technological advances in early diagnosis and neurorehabilitation into clinical practice, guiding their translation towards the specific needs of patients.
The Research Line on Diagnostics and Innovative Treatments in Neurorehabilitation aims to integrate research across different disciplines to develop highly innovative diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic methods. The foundation of this work is the integration of multi-omic data, managed through dedicated machine learning programs, allowing for the processing of data from genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic sequencing, and more. In this context, the Santa Lucia Foundation is responsible for the active genomic platform for the Virtual Institutes (Parkinson’s, Dementia, Rare Diseases, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke) within the Neuroscience network. The use of such data forms the basis of precision medicine and enables the development of dedicated diagnostic and therapeutic pathways for neurological patients. On this basis, new intervention models will be developed through the translation of research products derived from highly innovative technologies into support tools for motor and cognitive rehabilitation. Specifically, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) approaches, neuromodulation (TMS and tDCS), biofeedback, neuro-robotics and kinematics, space biomedicine, virtual reality, and immersive environments will be employed. The projects under this research line are part of large-scale networks that foresee synergistic collaboration with national and international institutes.
Research Topics
- Identification and validation of molecular biomarkers for the early diagnosis and personalized treatment of neurological diseases through the use of biobank samples
- Study of normal and pathological cognitive processes using neuroimaging techniques
- Study of pathophysiological and genetic aspects of rare nervous system diseases (e.g., cerebral palsy, hereditary spastic paraplegia)
- Development and clinical translation of new assistive, robotic, neurophysiological, and brain-computer interface technologies for neurological conditions
- Space biomedicine and the study of the effects of gravity on motor processes
Laboratories of the Research Line 3
- Visual-Motor Control and Space Microgravity Physiology
- Neuromotor Physiology
- Neuroelectric Imaging and BCI (NEILab)
- Genomic Medicine
- Computational Methods and Hand Biomechanics
- Experimental Neuropsychophysiology
- Neuroscience and Applied Technologies
- Posture and Locomotion
- Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (SPIRE)
- Body and Action Studies
- Ataxia Studies
- Technologies and Training Methods for Disability Assistance