Specialized Center

Multiple sclerosis

Objective of the Center

The Multiple Sclerosis Center at the IGEA Nursing Home , operational since 2022, offers integrated and specialized care for the management of multiple sclerosis, in all stages of the disease.

Part of the Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences , the Center stands out for its close synergy between assistance and research , participating in scientific projects with academic institutions such as the Polytechnic University of Milan and collaborating with national and international networks in the fields of neuroimaging, neurophysiology and pharmacological and functional rehabilitation.

The organization of the first International Master in Multiple Sclerosis also fits into this context , in collaboration with the Dresden International University and the European Charcot Foundation.

The Hospitalization Department

The neurological inpatient ward is a central point in the rehabilitation process, active during the acute phases or worsening of multiple sclerosis. A multidisciplinary team ensures integrated and specialized care.

The following operate within the department:

neurology
Physiatrists
Neuroradiologists
Urologists
Gynecologists
Physiotherapists
Speech therapists
Occupational therapists
Neuropsychologists
nurses
Neurophysiology technicians
Social workers
Nutritionists
Orthopedic technicians

Everyone is responsible for assessing and caring for the person according to their own area of expertise, contributing to the definition of an Individual Rehabilitation Project (PRI) aimed at recovering functional autonomy.

The department has 30 beds divided into single, double, and triple rooms. Hospitalization is possible either under an agreement with the National Health Service (SSN) or on a partially or fully self-pay basis.

For information, the Admissions Office and the ACeSM Office can be contacted from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 16:00.

After a neurological or physiatric examination confirming the appropriateness of hospitalization, multidisciplinary management begins.

Activities planned during hospitalization include:

Clinical-instrumental evaluation initial for the functional framework
Processing of the PRI with personalized rehabilitation interventions
Pharmacological treatments specific and symptomatic (DMT, pain management, spasticity, insomnia, urinary disorders, mood)
Physiotherapy sessions in the gym or in your room
Speech therapy, occupational therapy e cognitive stimulation
Individual and family psychological support
Periodic team reassessments for route optimization
Non-invasive neuromodulation technologies such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), useful in controlling symptoms such as fatigue, pain and muscle stiffness

During hospitalization, patients may be involved in clinical research protocols after obtaining informed consent.

The Center has a Biobank that includes biological material, neurophysiological data, neuroimaging, and quality of life measurement tools (Patient Reported Outcomes).

Multiple Sclerosis Outpatient Center

The Center's outpatient department is organized around the neurological clinic, with the support of all the specialties present at the clinic, including: urology, gynecology, ophthalmology, pulmonology, orthopedics, dermatology, cardiology, phoniatrics, and neuropsychology.

The team is made up of three neurologists , a physiatrist and two professional nurses , with dedicated administrative staff.

This structure guarantees:

Easy and multidisciplinary access to the therapeutic path
Complete patient profiling and definition of the best pharmacological and rehabilitative approach
Rehabilitation treatments cognitive and physical in outpatient or day hospital settings
Experimental programs of physical and cognitive home rehabilitation
Infusion area for intravenous drug administration (Via Marcona location)
Management of focal spasticity with botulinum toxin

Visits and rehabilitation activities can be provided through the National Health Service (NHS) or privately.

Therapeutic monitoring is carried out with clinical and instrumental checks scheduled at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months.

Nursing staff is available:
Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00

Telephone: 02/48593484 or 02/48593522

Rehabilitation Program

The Center's rehabilitation program is tailored to each patient and takes into account not only their clinical condition, but also family, social, psychological, and environmental factors . The goal is to address the person's entirety to improve their independence and quality of life.

Rehabilitation strategies are based on:

Recovery of motor functions and disability prevention
Maintaining the gait and prevention of bed rest complications
Treatment of changes in muscle tone, such as spasticity
Use of techniques of kinesitherapy, stretching, proprioceptive exercises and pain-relieving postures

The rehabilitation activity also benefits from various specialist services to support the therapeutic path:

Instrumental Therapy Service
Occupational Therapy Service
Hydrotherapy Service
Clinical Phoniatrics and Deglutology Service
Clinical Neuropsychology Service

Neurophysiology and functional diagnosis

Neurophysiology is an essential tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis , as it allows for the quantification of damage to nerve pathways . Through the analysis of the electrical activity of nerve fibers, it provides precise information on the nature, extent, and quality of neurological damage.

The Center's Neurophysiology section uses advanced diagnostic techniques to evaluate the functional integrity of the nervous system:

Evoked potentials motor, visual and somatosensory to measure myelination and functionality of nerve pathways
Electroencephalogram (EEG) high definition for brain activity, even during cognitive tasks
Neurography and electromyography to analyze the integrity of peripheral nerves and muscles
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to observe the retina as a mirror of the brain state

Neuroimaging Techniques

The Center has cutting-edge equipment for advanced analysis of the central nervous system in patients with multiple sclerosis.

All hospitalized patients undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord , fundamental tests to evaluate the extent of nerve damage and estimate functional reserve.

The technological equipment includes:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 3 Tesla and 1.5 Tesla, which allows for high definition of neuroradiological images
Collaboration with Icometrix, for the automatic processing of brain volumes, lesion volumes and other quantitative parameters

The Center is involved in international research projects , including the European CLAIMS program , to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance markers in monitoring multiple sclerosis therapies . In collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Milan , a study is also underway for the development and validation of MRI signal analysis techniques in demyelinating diseases.

Remote Digital Monitoring

Thanks to European projects such as RADAR-CNS and Mobilise-D , the Centre uses technologies to:

To monitor walk, equilibrium e motor skills maintenance via wearable sensors
Evaluate the cognitive functions and subjective symptoms through apps and digital questionnaires
Offer remote cognitive rehabilitation supervised by clinicians

Neuromodulation Laboratory

In the neuromodulation laboratory, innovative technologies are applied, including transcranial magnetic stimulation with H-coil , developed by the NIH (USA), to:

Stimulate deep brain areas
Improving motor and cognitive functions in patients with MS, dementia, or Parkinson's disease
Enhancing the effectiveness of motor and cognitive rehabilitation

There are active controlled clinical trials on the efficacy of rTMS for depression and upper limb rehabilitation.