A5080874782- Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
- Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
- Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Metabolism and Genetic Disorders
- Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pancreatic function and diabetes
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Biochemical Acid Research Studies
- Neurogenetic and Muscular Disorders Research
- Gut microbiota and health
- Metabolism, Diabetes, and Cancer
- Retinal Development and Disorders
European Brain Research Institute
2012-2025
University of Teramo
2023-2025
Fondazione Santa Lucia
2012-2021
Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico
2013-2021
University of Rome Tor Vergata
2021
Università Campus Bio-Medico
2019
Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology
2014-2018
National Research Council
2014-2018
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
2014
Sapienza University of Rome
2012-2013
Alterations of the dopaminergic (DAergic) system are frequently reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and commonly linked to cognitive non-cognitive symptoms. However, cause DAergic dysfunction AD remains be elucidated. We investigated alterations midbrain Tg2576 mouse model AD, overexpressing a mutated human amyloid precursor protein (APPswe). Here, we found an age-dependent neuron loss ventral tegmental area (VTA) at pre-plaque stages, although substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc)...
The endocannabinoid N ‐arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) is a pro‐homeostatic bioactive lipid known for its anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidative, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective properties, which may contrast/mitigate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. This study explores the therapeutic potential of targeting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), major enzyme degrading AEA, in mouse models amyloidosis (APP/PS1 Tg2576). Enhancing AEA signaling by genetic deletion FAAH delayed cognitive...
Patients with ALS show, in addition to the loss of motor neurons spinal cord, brainstem, and cerebral cortex, an abnormal depletion energy stores alongside hypermetabolism. In this study, we show that bioenergetic defects muscle remodeling occur skeletal SOD1G93A mouse model mice prior disease onset before activation denervation markers, respectively. These changes physiology were followed by increase expenditure unrelated physical activity. Finally, chronic treatment Ranolazine,...
Significance Several endogenous molecules contribute to the building of a complex network neural and hormonal signals that align food intake energy expenditure. Cerebral histamine works as satiety factor by activating H 1 receptor (H R) in specific hypothalamic nuclei. Indeed, atypical antipsychotics presumably cause obesity targeting brain R. The lipid messenger oleoylethanolamide (OEA) mediates fat-induced engaging sensory fibers vagus nerve project centrally. We find depletion blunts...
Ethanol (EtOH) exposure during pregnancy induces cognitive and physiological deficits in the offspring. However, role of paternal alcohol (PAE) on offspring EtOH sensitivity neurotrophins has not received much attention. The present study examined whether PAE may disrupt nerve growth factor (NGF) and/or brain-derived neurotrophic (BDNF) affect preference/rewarding properties male CD1 sire mice were chronically addicted for or administered with sucrose. Their offsprings when adult assessed...
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which encompass pesticides and industrial chemicals widely utilized across the globe, pose a covert threat to human health. β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) is an organochlorine pesticide with striking stability, still illegally dumped in many countries, recognized as responsible for several pathogenetic mechanisms. This study represents pioneering exploration into neurotoxic effects induced by exposure β-HCH specifically targeting neuronal cells (N2a),...
The development of potent and selective inhibitors the biosynthesis endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) via DAG lipases (DAGL) α β is just starting to be considered as a novel promising source pharmaceuticals for treatment disorders that might benefit from reduction in tone, such hyperphagia obese subjects.Three new fluorophosphonate compounds O-7458, O-7459 O-7460 were synthesized characterized various enzymatic assays. effects on high-fat diet intake tested mice.Of compounds,...
Clinical and neuropathological studies have shown that tau pathology better correlates with the severity of dementia than amyloid plaque burden, making an attractive target for cure Alzheimer's disease. We explored whether passive immunization 12A12 monoclonal antibody (26-36aa protein) could improve disease phenotype two well-established mouse models, Tg2576 3xTg mice. is a cleavage-specific which selectively binds pathologically relevant neurotoxic NH226-230 fragment (i.e. NH2htau) protein...
Background and Purpose Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of upper lower motor neurons, progressive wasting paralysis voluntary muscles is currently incurable. Although considered to be pure neuron disease, increasing evidence indicates that sole protection neurons single targeted drug not sufficient improve pathological phenotype. We therefore evaluated therapeutic potential multi‐target used treatment coronary artery...
There is a growing interest on the role of autophagy in diabetes pathophysiology, where development neuropathy one most frequent comorbidities. We have previously demonstrated that neuropathic pain after nerve damage exacerbated autophagy-defective heterozygous Ambra1 mice. Here, we show existence prediabetic state mice, characterized by hyperglycemia, intolerance to glucose and insulin resistance. Thus, further investigate hypothesis prediabetes may account for exacerbation allodynia...
Tau cleavage plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), widespread neurodegenerative disease whose incidence is expected to increase next years. While genetic familial forms AD (fAD) occurring early life represent less than 1%, sporadic late-onset ones (sAD) are most common, with ageing being an important risk factor. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion streptozotocin (STZ)-a compound used systemic induction diabetes due its ability damage pancreatic β...
The initial pharmaceutical interest for the endocannabinoid system as a target antiobesity therapies has been restricted by severe adverse effects of CB1 antagonist rimonabant. This study points at oleoylethanolamide (OEA), monounsaturated analogue, and functional anandamide, potential safer alternative to antagonism. Mice treated with equal doses (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) OEA rimonabant were analyzed progressive expression spontaneous behaviors (eating, grooming, rearing, locomotion, resting)...
Abstract Retina and optic nerve are sites of extra-cerebral manifestations Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques neurofibrillary tangles hyperphosphorylated tau protein detected in eyes from AD patients transgenic animals correlation with inflammation, reduction synapses, visual deficits, loss retinal cells fiber. However, neither the pathological relevance other post-translational modifications—such as truncation generation toxic fragments—nor potential neuroprotective action...
As a widely prescribed anti-diabetic drug, metformin has been receiving novel attention for its analgesic potential. In the study of complex etiology neuropathic pain (NeP), male and female individuals exhibit quite different responses characterized by higher sensitivity greater NeP incidence in women. This "gender gap" our knowledge sex differences processing strongly limits sex-oriented treatment patients suffering from NeP. Besides, current investigation potential not addressed problem....
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disease characterized by plasma hyperphenylalaninemia and several neurological symptoms that can be controlled rigorous dietetic treatment. The cellular mechanisms underlying impaired brain functions are still unclear. It has been proposed, however, phenylalanine interference in cognitive depends on dopamine (DA) transmission the prefrontal cortical area due to reduced availability of precursor tyrosine. Here, using Pah(enu2) (ENU2) mice,...
Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) refers to all clinical conditions characterized by increased amounts of phenylalanine (PHE) in blood and other tissues. According their PHE concentrations under a free diet, hyperphenylalaninemic patients are commonly classified into phenotypic subtypes: classical phenylketonuria (PKU) (PHE > 1200 µM/L), mild PKU 600-1200 µM/L) persistent HPA 120-600 (normal < 120 µM/L). The current treatment for is aimed keep levels within the safe range 120-360 µM/L through...
The dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and subventricular zone are neurogenic niches where neural stem progenitor cells replicate throughout life to generate new neurons. Btg1 gene maintains in quiescence. deletion leads an early transient increase stem/progenitor division, followed, however, by a decrease during adulthood their proliferative capability, accompanied apoptosis. Since physiological neurogenesis occurs aging, knockout mouse may represent model aging. We have previously observed...
Abstract The mitogen-induced D-type cyclins (D1, D2 and D3) are regulatory subunits of the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 CDK6 that drive progression through G1 phase cell cycle. In skeletal muscle, cyclin D3 plays a unique function in controlling proliferation/differentiation balance myogenic progenitor cells. Here, we show also performs novel function, regulating muscle fiber type-specific gene expression. Mice lacking display an increased number myofibers with higher oxidative capacity...