Adult neuromuscular and neuroimmunology

The Adult Neuromuscular and Neuroimmunology Programme was created to integrate the diagnostic pathway of neuromuscular and neuroimmunological pathologies with the clinical activity in an integrated organisation that provides for the enhancement and integration of the diagnostic methods of competence and the clinical activities of the Neurological Clinical Unit and, to a certain extent, of the other Neurology and Child Neuropsychiatry Units of the Institute, with particular regard to technological and care innovations.

Care activities

The Programme has the task of promoting diagnostic activities in the field of neuromuscular and neuroimmunological diseases, with particular attention to adult neuromuscular diseases, both hereditary and acquired, to small fibre neuropathies, to the study of skin biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases and to the role of antibodies against neuronal surface antigens in various neurological diseases. The activities and functions provided by the Programme are consistent and relevant to the mandate given by the Company Management to the Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna (ISNB) and to the objectives negotiated annually by the Director of the Neurological Clinical Unit with the Operational and Scientific Management of the ISNB. The professional skills that the Programme addresses concern the following specific pathologies: acquired and genetic myopathies, spinal amyotrophies, small fibre neuropathies and autonomic neuropathies, Fabry's disease, autoimmune encephalopathies, myasthenia gravis, study of abnormal deposits of α-synuclein in cutaneous nerves in different forms of synucleinopathies. Some of these pathologies are reported in the PDTA of the Bologna Local Health Authority "PDTA on rare neuromuscular diseases in childhood and adults". The Programme is intended to ensure, for these areas of specialist pathology, diagnostic and therapeutic activities of high complexity for the population of the metropolitan, regional and extra-regional catchment area.

Research activities

The Programme also has the task of promoting research and teaching activities in the field of the neuromuscular and neuroimmunological pathologies concerned. The Programme is the main supra-specialist reference point, thanks both to the participation in the specific scientific societies of reference and to the dense network of national and international collaborations already set up by the professionals who participate in the activities of the Programme. In particular, the following scientific research topics are addressed by the Programme:

• effectiveness of new therapeutic approaches in neuromuscular and autoimmune diseases;
• new diagnostic approaches in synucleinopathies;
• identification and characterisation of the basic etiopathogenetic mechanisms of various neuromuscular diseases;
• definition of the role of antibodies against neuronal surface antigens in various central and peripheral neurological diseases;
• role of neuroinflammation in neuropathic pain and small fibre neuropathies.

Publication

See the list of the most representative publications of this Unit

Staff

Vincenzo Donadio, Programme Manager, MD, PhD, Neurologist
Maria Lucia Valentino, MD, Neurologist
Maria Pia Giannoccaro, MD, PhD, Neurologist

Contact

vincenzoangelo.donadio@isnb.it
vincenzo.donadio@unibo.it