Divisions
Neuroscience
Our mission is to contribute to the unraveling of the inner workings of the human nervous system and mind and to find causes and treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases. To accomplish this, we investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuronal and glial dysfunction and we engage in translational and clinical research projects. The impressive advances in our knowledge of the nervous system have made neuroscience one of the most active branches in modern biology and medicine and the integration between basic and clinical research is key to the success of our long-term goal: building on the knowledge generated by basic and clinical research to translate our discoveries into novel therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders, some of humanity's most disabling disorders.
Organization
The Division of Neuroscience harbors more than 300 scientists organized in 25 basic research units and 15 clinical research units. Among these, those involved in translational medicine (12 basic research units and 6 clinical research units) have assembled into the the Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE). View all research units here.
All Clinical research activities are under the supervision of Professor Andrea Falini, the Clinical research coordinator for the Division.
Members of the Division are also part of the faculty of Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, being affiliated to the Schools of Medicine, of Psychology or of Philosophy. Excellence in higher education is a priority for the Division of Neuroscience. For this reason, the Division is actively involved in the PhD programs of Molecular Medicine and of Cognitive Neuroscience, which offer positions for 3 years on a highly competitive basis.
Research
Scientists affiliated to the Division work together to investigate key and hot issues in neuroscience, with emphasis on the following areas: neurobiology, neuroepidemiology, neuropathology, neurophysiology, neuroimmunology, psychopathology and neuroimaging.
Our strategy is to improve our knowledge of the inner mechanisms underlying the physiological and pathological functioning of the nervous system, and to exploit this knowledge to improve diagnostics of diseases and to develop more rational and personalized therapies.
Scientific publications
- Massimo Filippi, et. al., Association between pathological and MRI findings in multiple sclerosis, Lancet Neurology 2019, 18: 198-2010
- Rocca MA, et al., The hippocampus in multiple sclerosis, The Lancet Neurology, 2018, 17(10)
Massimo Filippi, head of Neuroimaging research Unit and full professor at Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, together with Maria A. Rocca, group leader of Neuroimaging of CNS white matter Unit, led two reviews, one about the involvement of hippocampus in multiple sclerosis and one about the use of MRI to advance diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis. - Filippi M, et al., Changes in functional and structural brain connectome along the Alzheimer's disease continuum, Journal of Molecular Psychiatry, 2018
A group of scientists of Ospedale San Raffaele and Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele guided by Massimo Filippi, head of Neuroimaging research Unit and full professor at Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, investigated structural and functional brain connectome in patients along AD continuum.
Events
- Rett syndrome research, towards the future
An international meeting on Rett syndrome was held in Rome on the 27th, 28th and 29th September. Nicoletta Landberger, group leader of Rett research Unit, was part of the scientific commitee of the meeting. The aim of Rett Rome 2018 was to provide a platform for discussion on recent advances in basic, translational and clinical research on Rett syndrome. The meeting is also intended to promote and foster collaborations.
Federica Agosta
Group leader, Neuroimaging of neurodegeneratives deseases Unit (INSPE)
Francesco Benedetti
Head, Psychiatry and clinical psychobiology
Alessandra Bolino
Head, Human inherited neuropathies Unit (INSPE)
Dario Bonanomi
Group leader, Molecular neurobiology Unit
Vania Broccoli
Head, Stem cells and neurogenesis Unit
Jean-Michel Cioni
Group leader, RNA biology of the neuron Unit
Gian Giacomo Consalez
Head, Developmental neurogenetics Unit
Patrizia D'Adamo
Group leader, Molecular genetics of intellectual disabilities Unit
Ivan de Curtis
Head, Cell adhesion Unit
Ubaldo Del Carro
Group leader, Movement disorders Unit (INSPE)
Claudio de'Sperati
Group leader, Experimental psychology Unit
Federica Esposito
Group leader, Human genetics of neurological diseases (INSPE)
Andrea Falini
Head, Functional neuroradiology Unit
Cinthia Farina
Group leader, Immunobiology of neurological disorders Unit (INSPE)
Raffaella Fazio
Group leader, Peripheral neuropathies Unit (INSPE)
Giulio Ferrari
Group leader, Eye repair lab Unit
Luigi Ferini-Strambi
Group leader, Sleep medicine Unit
Massimo Filippi
Head, Neuroimaging research Unit (INSPE)
Roberto Furlan
Head, Clinical neuroimmunology Unit (INSPE)
Rossella Galli
Group leader, Neural stem cells biology Unit
Fabio Grohovaz
Head, Cellular neurophysiology Unit
Nicoletta Landsberger
Group leader, Rett syndrome Unit
Letizia Leocani
Clinical group leader, Experimental Neurophysiology (INSPE)
Sonia Levi
Head, Proteomic of iron metabolism Unit
Giuseppe Magnani
Clinical group leader, Memory disorders Unit (INSPE)
Antonio Malgaroli
Head, Neurobiology of learning Unit
Vittorio Martinelli
Head, Inflammatory central nervous system disorders Unit (INSPE)
Gianvito Martino
Head, Neuroimmunology Unit (INSPE)
Cesare Maffei
Clinical group leader, Clinical psychology and psychotherapy Unit
Fabio Minicucci
Group leader, Paroxysmal events Unit (INSPE)
Pietro Mortini
Head, Oncological and regenerative neurosurgery Unit
Stefano Carlo Previtali
Head, Neuromuscolar repair Unit (INSPE)
Daniela Perani
Head, In vivo structural and molecular neuroimaging Unit
Angelo Quattrini
Head, Experimental neuropathology Unit (INSPE)
Maria Assunta Rocca
Group leader, Neuroimaging of CNS white matter Unit (INSPE)
Michele Simonato
Group leader, Gene therapy of neurodegenerative diseases Unit
Carla Taveggia
Group leader, Axo-glia interactions Unit (INSPE)
Flavia Valtorta
Head, Neuropharmacology Unit
Cell adhesion
Ivan de Curtis
Cellular Neurophysiology
Fabio Grohovaz
Clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Cesare Maffei
Developmental neurogenetics
Gian Giacomo Consalez
Experimental psychology
Claudio de'Sperati
Eye repair lab
Giulio Ferrari
Functional Neuroradiology
Andrea Falini
Gene therapy of neurodegenerative diseases
Michele Simonato
In vivo structural and molecular neuroimaging
Daniela Perani
Molecular genetics of intellectual disabilities
Patrizia D'Adamo
Molecular neurobiology
Dario Bonanomi
Neural stem cell biology
Rossella Galli
Neurobiology of learning
Antonio Malgaroli
Neuropsychopharmacology
Flavia Valtorta
Oncological and regenerative neurosurgery
Pietro Mortini
Proteomic of iron metabolism
Sonia Levi
Psychiatry and clinical psychobiology
Francesco Benedetti
Rett Research
Nicoletta Landsberger
RNA Biology of the Neuron
Jean-Michel Cioni
Sleep medicine
Luigi Ferini-Strambi
Stem cells and neurogenesis
Vania Broccoli
Axo-glial interaction (INSPE)
Carla Taveggia
Clinical neuroimmunology (INSPE)
Roberto Furlan
Experimental neuropathology (INSPE)
Angelo Quattrini
Experimental Neurophysiology (INSPE)
Letizia Leocani
Human genetics of neurological disorders (INSPE)
Federica Esposito
Human inherited neuropathies (INSPE)
Alessandra Bolino
Immunobiology of neurological disorders (INSPE)
Cinthia Farina
Inflammatory central nervous system disorders (INSPE)
Vittorio Martinelli
Memory disorders (INSPE)
Giuseppe Magnani
Movement disorders (INSPE)
Ubaldo Del Carro
Neuroimaging of CNS White Matter (INSPE)
Maria Assunta Rocca
Neuroimaging of neurodegenerative diseases (INSPE)
Federica Agosta
Neuroimaging research (INSPE)
Massimo Filippi
Neuroimmunology (INSPE)
Gianvito Martino
Neuromuscular repair (INSPE)
Stefano Carlo Previtali
Paroxysmal events (INSPE)
Fabio Minicucci
Peripheral neuropathies (INSPE)
Raffaella Fazio
One post-doctoral research fellow position is immediately available in the Neurological Disorders Unit, headed by Cinthia Farina at INSPE
Postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Neuroimmunology unit, with a strong collaboration with SR-TIGET
A two-years research fellowship is immediately available in the Human Inherited Neuropathies Unit, led by Alessandra Bolino
A research technician position is immediately available in the RNA biology of the Neuron Unit, headed by Jean Michel Cioni
Cannabis-based drug may help to relieve symptoms of motor neuron disease
The study is the first to suggest that cannabis-based drug may help ease symptoms of spasticity in patients with moto neuron diseases.
Hacking communication among cells to turn off inflammation
A study carried out by researchers of Ospedale San Raffaele shows that extracellular vesicles may be used to modulate brain inflammation.