Associate Professor

Prof. Anna Pannaccione associate professor to date co-author of 73 publications in international peer-reviewed journals and three patents, with a Hindex of 30 (Scopus). His research focuses on the study of the molecular mechanisms, with particular attention to ionic dysregulation, involved in the neurodegenerative processes underlying various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, and demyelinating diseases, as well as the identification of biomarkers and innovative therapies for these pathologies, the results of which have been the subject of publications. The research focuses on the dysregulation of ion homeostasis with particular attention to the voltage-gated channels of potassium (Kv3.4 and Kv2.1) and sodium (Nav1.2 and Nav1.6) as well as the sodium/calcium exchanger, NCX (NCX1, NCX2 and NCX3) in various neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia and demyelinating diseases. In particular, she dealt with the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of beta-amyloid oligomers and alpha-synuclein on ion homeostasis in neuronal cells (hippocampal, cortical neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes). His laboratory uses murine transgenic models to study the neurobiological basis of neuronal dysfunction through a multidisciplinary approach, using in vitro assays to assess neuronal viability, free radical production, and protein expression using Western blot and immunocytochemistry, as well as characterization of the neuronal cell type involved (neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes), proteomics, and ELISA assays. Furthermore, live cell imaging and video microscopy are used to examine the involvement of ion dysregulation in the neurodegenerative processes underlying various neurodegenerative diseases. She is involved in several national and international collaborations that allow her to approach research projects through a multidisciplinary approach. The results obtained have been the subject of publications. Furthermore, in collaboration with Prof. Agnese Secondo, she was involved in a study aimed at evaluating the role of exposure to air pollution, urban microparticulates, in the etiopathogenesis of some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, the results of which have been the subject of publications.