Over the last few years the scientific management of Casa Cura Policlinico (CCP) has implemented an important process of review of its scientific strategies, promoting an integrated action with clinical care activity, in the interest of the patient. Primary interest areas are Neurological Sciences, Neurorehabilitation Sciences and Quality of Life of people affected by mental disorders.
Over the last two decades biomedical research has produced a great number of information about Neurological diseases and, if on one hand these data represent the basis for further researches, on the other one they significantly affect the clinical approach to the patient. At present, for instance, on the basis of some validated findings, doctors assess patients potentially affected by neurological diseases taking into great account their family history for genetic involvement, their comorbidities for pathogenic shared mechanisms and their cognitive conditions for the therapeutic and social impacts. In this context, the process of assessing of the patient, in the light of the most recent biomedical and scientific findings, should also take into account the so called Translational research. This last one is not clearly defined but it mainly consists of the process of translating information and findings from basic research to clinical setting. In other words Translational research it’s a bridge “from bench to bedside “
In view of these changes, the CCP research activity aims to investigate diagnosis and treatment of motor, cognitive and linguistic disorders following the outbreak of neurological diseases and to implement new technologies for characterization and treatment of disabilities. Inside the Clinic is promoted the use of non-intrusive techniques of neuromodulation and of other innovative techniques: techniques of brain stimulation (tDCS e TMS), wearable technology, virtual reality, serious game for cognitive and motor rehabilitation. Since 2014, research in Neurological Sciences, Neurorehabilitation Sciences and Quality of Life has opened to national and international partnerships, participating in both clinical and technological projects, in innovative fields associated with neurorehabilitation and fragile ageing. Participation in European calls allowed CCP to acquire EU-financed researches, with reference to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (Horizon-2020) call and to calls of the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) programme. CCP is also active in national and bio continental (Europe/USA) experimental pharmacological studies in Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and Peripheral Neuropathies (CIDP) fields.
The recent implementation of new specialized consulting rooms enhanced and improved assistance for the patients afferent to our facility, promoting the setting up of a clinical database. This process, still underway, involves an important data collection, with relevant advantages in medical welfare management as far as in experimental clinical studies. In this context the Clinic has implemented a Bio Bank to acquire biological samples belonging to patients with various nosographic categories. As for translational research field there is a partnership with various basic research laboratories in order to promote genetic and biomarker studies. In fact, the set of clinic data, properly collected in a dataset, will be then associated with information on the biological profile of the patient. This will bring to carry out characterization of the patients on the basis of the type and of the stage of their disease. Within this framework the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatments could be deepened, evaluating optimal responses of subgroups of patients, depending on their biological profiles
In conclusion, the main objective of CCP is to provide an ideal environment to promote Transactional research on neurological diseases, in order to translate information from basic research to clinical setting. At present it is significantly involved in a pre-clinical and clinical research programmes on neurodegenerative diseases, involving biomarker analysis and innovative therapies evaluation.
Scientific Director: Dr. Massimo Corbo, Specialist in Neurology