Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed SpA

Macular degeneration, also called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of visual impairment and severe vision loss.
AMD is a disease with a multifactorial etiology. The main factors which, associated with the genetic ones, increase the risk of WMD onset are represented by smoking, obesity, hypertension, cardio-vascular diseases, a diet rich in dietary fat and alcohol intake. From an organic point of view, AMD is a disease that affects the macular region of the retina, causing progressive loss of central vision.
Retinal cells are characterized by high oxygen consumption. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical are the standard product of cellular metabolism within the mitochondria. Under physiological conditions, ROS are neutralized by a system of antioxidants. In case of cellular metabolism disturbances or insufficiency of the antioxidant system, an excess of ROS can be produced which contributes to oxidative stress, widely described as exerting deleterious effects on cells. The high oxygen requirement and low levels of antioxidant enzymes make the retina extremely sensitive to oxidative stress and more susceptible to cell death. Prevention of neuronal death in the retina becomes a crucial aspect for the management of WMD.
The treatment of choice for AMD today is the use of anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) drugs, they are effective for neo-vascular AMD, acting on the inhibition of the angiogenic protein VEGF, which is produced in the retina and induced by hypoxia and other conditions. It is practice, however, to support the integration of nutritional supplements such as zinc, resveratrol, carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ozonated oil with high ozonides (HOO) administered orally as gastro-resistant capsules (O3Zone, GS Pharma, Malta), as an integrative and complementary treatment in patients affected by macular degeneration in the possible slowing of disease progression.

This project aims to investigate whether an integrated model based on proactive and reactive telenursing monitoring coordinated by a parkinsonism nurse specialist (case manager) is able to improve care delivery and quality of life of patients with atypical parkinsonisms. This could reduce the risk (e.g. through health education counselling) and the severity of complications (e.g. falls). Main responsibilities of the Co-PI: project idea and supervision, coordination of the study, patient selection and recruitment, patient recruitment, participation in statistical analysis and drafting the manuscript. Co-PI is responsible of the rate of recruitment and drop-out

Inflammatory synaptopathy is a prominent pathogenic process in multiple sclerosis (MS) induced by imbalanced immune system homeostasis. Its persistence causes excitotoxic neuronal damage, leading to motor and cognitive deficits. Although many advances have been made in MS treatment, the development of effective strategies for managing disease progression driven by excitotoxic synaptic dysfunctions is of great significance. Gut dysbiosis is commonly associated with both MS and obesity and high-fat diet (HFD) can exacerbate disease by acting on gut microbiota.
Since gut microbiota can shape the immune response and brain functions, we propose to target gut dysbiosis by dietary supplementation of prebiotics and probiotics (Pre-Pro) to treat synaptopathy in both human and experimental model of MS, even when exacerbated by HFD. Overall, this project aims at unveiling the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective pathways activated by Pre-Pro supplementation to modulate the immune-synaptic axis.