Research

In the last two decades, biomedical research, in all its expressions, has produced a large amount of information regarding Neurological Diseases and, if on the one hand these data represent the basis for further studies, on the other hand they significantly influence the clinical approach that doctors use towards the patient. For example, based on some validated acquisitions, today doctors evaluate individuals potentially affected by neurological diseases by paying serious attention to their family history for the genetic implications that this entails, to their comorbidities for the pathogenic mechanisms possibly shared or to their cognitive conditions for the therapeutic and social inferences that derive from them. In this context, the current process of patient evaluation, linked to the latest biomedical and scientific knowledge, should also reflect the action of the so-called Translational Research. A clear definition of the latter may be less immediate than the definitions of basic and clinical research, however translational research essentially consists in conveying the knowledge and discoveries obtained in basic sciences towards their application in the clinical field. In other words, translational research responds to the concept expressed by the Anglo-Saxon phrase from bench to bedside that is, “from the laboratory workbench to the patient’s bedside”.

In light of these changes, at Casa di Cura Igea the scientific research activity aims to deepen the diagnosis and treatment of motor, cognitive and linguistic disorders resulting from the onset of Neurological Diseases and is also aimed at developing new technologies for the characterization and treatment of disabilities. The use of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques and other innovative technologies is promoted within the Clinic: brain stimulation techniques (tDCS and TMS), wearable, virtual reality, serious game for cognitive and motor rehabilitation. Furthermore, since 2014, research in the fields dedicated to Neurological Sciences, Neurorehabilitation Sciences and Quality of Life has opened up to project collaborations of national and international scope with participation in partnerships in innovative fields, both clinical and technological, applied to neurorehabilitation and frailty in aging. Participation in European calls has allowed Casa di Cura Igea to acquire research funded by the EU, with reference to the call Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions(Horizon-2020) and to the calls for proposalsActive and Assisted Living (AAL) Programs. Casa di Cura Igea is also active in national and bicontinental (Europe/USA) experimental pharmacological studies in the field of Neurodegenerative Diseases (Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and Peripheral Neuropathies (CIDP).

Recently, the activation of new specialist clinics has strengthened and improved the assistance provided to patients attending our facility, encouraging the creation of a databaseclinical. This latter process, still being implemented, supports a substantial collection of data capable of providing significant benefits both in clinical-care management and in the implementation of experimental clinical studies. In this context, the Clinic has also activated a BioBank for the acquisition of biological samples belonging to patients with various nosographic categories. In the field of translational research, a collaboration is active with various basic research laboratories in order to promote genetic studies and biomarker. In fact, the set of clinical data appropriately collected in a dataset is then correlated to information on the biological profile of the same individuals. This action will allow characterization studies of patients in relation to the type and stage of disease from which they are affected. In this context, the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatments can be deepened by evaluating the optimal responses of subgroups of patients based on their biological profiles acquired in the laboratory.

In conclusion, the main objective of Casa di Cura Igea is to provide an ideal environment to promote translational research in neurological diseases, in order to facilitate the rapid transfer of basic research knowledge to the clinical environment. The Center is currently significantly involved in a preclinical and clinical research program in neurodegenerative diseases, including in particular the analysis of biomarker and the evaluation of innovative therapies.