Stefano Sensi, MD PhD
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Affiliation(s):
University of California Irvine/ University G. d'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara
ORCID URL:
Areas of Interest:
excitotoxicity, preclinical models of dementia, zinc, biomarkers, neuroimagingf
Biography & Research:
The focus of the research performed by the Molecular Neurology Unit that I am directing concerns mechanisms of neuronal death in the context of neurodegenerative conditions like brain aging, ALS, cerebral ischemia, Huntington ’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Specific emphasis is put on excitotoxic conditions resulting from glutamate receptor overactivation. Key factors leading to glutamate-driven neuronal death are the loss of intracellular homeostasis for divalent ions including calcium and zinc, alterations of mitochondrial function and consequent generation of oxidative stress as well as activation of apoptotic, necrotic, and autophagic pathways. Over the years, our group has employed advanced ionic imaging and electrophysiological techniques along with genomic and proteomic approaches to providing critical insights on intracellular changes in living neurons exposed to excitotoxic challenges. These techniques have been employed in “in vivo” and “in vitro” models of neurological diseases. Our unit is involved in preclinical studies aimed at finding neuroprotective strategies in these conditions. Finally, we have also made use of pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological approaches to delay cognitive decline in aging individuals, MCI, and AD patients. To that aim, we have employed a wide range of techniques including proteomic, genomic, and neuroimaging (fMRI, MRI, DTI) approaches to dissect effects of interventions.
Present Position:
Head of the Molecular Neurology Unit, Center for Excellence on Aging, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
Associate Professor (tenured position) in Rehabilitative Neurology and Psychiatry University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
Associate Adjunct Professor in Neurology and Pharmacology, University of California-Irvine
Dean of the School of Occupational Therapy, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
Academic Positions/Employment:
Research Associate in Neurology at the Center for the Study of Neural Injury directed by Dennis Choi, Washington University, St. Louis (02/92-08/97)
Visiting Researcher in Neurology at University of California at Irvine (10/97-06/98)
Assistant Adjunct Professor in Neurology University of California at Irvine (07/98-06/02)
Researcher (tenured position) in Neurology University “G. d’Annunzio”, (05/2000-03/2006)
Associate Adjunct Professor in Neurology University of California at Irvine (07/02-present time)
Adjunct Professor in Neurology University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (12/05- present time)
Chief Neurologist at the Center for Cognitive Stimulation for AD Dementia of the San Valentino hospital, San Valentino, Pescara, Italy. (04/05- present time)
Associate Professor in Rehabilitative Neurology and Psychiatry University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy (04/06-present time)
Dean School of Occupational Therapy, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy (06/06-present time)
Associate Adjunct Professor in Pharmacology University of California at Irvine (07/12-present time)
Honors and Awards:
Medical degree Magna cum Laude; Residency Degree in Neurology Magna cum Laude
Best Medical Graduate from Abruzzo in the 5-yr period 1985-1990
1999 NIH K01 Award 1999-2004;
2001 UCI –College of Medicine Research Award
2002 Van den Noort Award for outstanding research by a junior faculty of the Dept. of Neurology
Professional Societies and Organizations:
Italian Society of Neurology ; Italian Society for the study of Alzheimer’s disease and dementias; Italian Society of Physiology; European Society for Neuroscience; American Academy of Neurology ;Society for Neuroscience; Founding member of the International Society for Zinc Biology; Member of the steering committee of the International Society for Zinc Biology; (2008-2010). Member of the Scientific Steering Committee of the Italian Neurological Society for the study of Dementia (SINDEM: 2014-)
https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=CTAR5_8AAAAJ&hl=en
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