Research Interests
The research in my lab focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of cerebrovascular disorders and the cell-death mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
We analyze the effects of cellular oxidative and mitochondrial stress, apoptosis, and inflammation and explore pharmacological compounds capable of inhibiting these events. Also, we are actively searching for novel diagnostic biofluid biomarkers for AD, TBI, PTSD.
My interests have recently centered on how different amyloid aggregation species modulate molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that trigger cell toxicity and cell stress responses in AD and CAA. In particular, we are focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction in cells comprising the neurovascular unit and in neuronal and glial cells.
We are deeply interested in the effects of amyloid variants on endothelial cell death and blood–brain barrier permeability, as well as the contribution of mitochondria, death receptors, and inflammation mediators in these events. By applying biochemical, molecular, and imaging techniques in cultured cells, animal models, and human AD or CAA brain neurovascular cells, we identified the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptors, DR4 and DR5, as targets for amyloid beta oligomers, which are responsible for the initiation of mitochondrial apoptosis in brain vascular cells.
Currently, we are studying the protective effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors against mitochondrial failure in amyloid-challenged cells and animal models. Our ongoing studies also explore the interactions between AD, cerebral amyloidosis, and cardiovascular risk, as well as between tau pathology and TBI and their combined effects on mitochondrial dysfunction and neurovascular cell death. Our goals are twofold: to unveil new drug development targets that can protect brain neuronal and vascular cells against neurodegeneration, cerebral hypoperfusion, and hemorrhage, and to discover new biomarkers for these diseases.
Clinical Interests
- General hematology
- Hemostasis and thrombosis
Education, Training & Credentials
- Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
- PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
- Research Fellowship, Pharmacology, University of Florence, Italy
- BS, Molecular Biology, University of Florence, Italy
Memberships
- Society for Neuroscience
- International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
- American Heart Association
- Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation (ISSNAF)
- Vas-Cog Society: The international society of vascular behavioral and cognitive disorders
- Grant Reviewer for The Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago, IL
- Grant Reviewer for The Italian Ministry of Health, the Swedish Research Council, the Medical Research Council (UK), the American Institute of Biological Sciences, the Alzheimer’s Society UK
- Grant Reviewer for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Grant Reviewer for US Department of Defense
- Biomarker Professional Interest Area (PIA) and Biofluid Biomarker Reference Ranges Working Group for the Alzheimer’s Association
- Vascular PIA and working group on White Matter Lesions for the Alzheimer’s Association
- US Department of Defense CDMRP PRARP Study Section
Honors & Awards
- Leon Levy Fellowship in Neuroscience, 2016
- Director of the Biofluid Biomarkers Core of the Cohen Veteran Center, NYULMC Department of Psychiatry, 2015-19
- Blas Frangione Foundation New Investigator Research Grant, 2014
- Scientist Development Grant Award (2013-2017) from the American Heart Association, 2013
- New Investigator Research Grant Award from the Alzheimer’s Association, 2012
- NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center Pilot Grant, Center of Excellence on Brain Aging, NYU Langone Medical Center, 2010