Neurological diseases represent one of the greatest challenges of contemporary medicine. Among these conditions, Parkinson’s disease and stroke stand out, as they still lack effective therapies capable of halting disease progression or significantly restoring lost functions.
In this context, neural stem cells play a central role due to their remarkable ability to respond to brain injury by generating new neurons and glial cells, thereby contributing to the replacement of damaged or degenerating cells associated with these pathologies. Beyond neurodegenerative diseases, it is also known that in depression stem cell activity is reduced, and that its stimulation may represent a promising neuroplasticity strategy for the development of new therapies.
Understanding the mechanisms that regulate the differentiation, maturation and survival of neural stem cells is therefore essential for the design of innovative approaches aimed at brain repair and neuroplasticity.
The main research aims of our group include:
-
Identification of new therapeutic targets (both pharmacological and non-pharmacological), capable of efficiently enhancing the differentiation, maturation and functional integration of endogenous neural stem cells, thereby promoting neuroplasticity and functional recovery in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease, stroke and depression.
-
Application of novel biotechnological platforms, including drug delivery systems and tools for modulating cellular activity, designed to enhance neural stem cell function, induce differentiation, promote neuroprotection and modulate neuroinflammation.