Bologna

Principal investigator:
Prof. Pietro Cortelli, MD

University of Bologna
Department of Neurosciences
Via Ugo Foscolo 30
I-40123 Bologna
pietro.cortelli(at)unibo.it

Prof. Paolo Martinelli, MD
University of Bologna
Department of Neurosciences
Via Ugo Foscolo 30
I-40123 Bologna

Dott. Giovanni Rizzo, MD
University of Bologna
Department of Neurosciences
Via Ugo Foscolo 30
I-40123 Bologna

Dott.ssa Cesa Scaglione, MD
University of Bologna
Department of Neurosciences
Via Ugo Foscolo 30
I-40123 Bologna

Dott.ssa Giovanna Calandra-Buonaura, MD
University of Bologna
Department of Neurosciences
Via Ugo Foscolo 30
I-40123 Bologna

Expertise of the participating organisation:

The Bologna group constitutes a centre for the study of the extrapyramidal diseases and an interuniversitary research centre on movement disorders. Aim of the group is research into the clinical, pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of movement disorders. Professor Pietro Cortelli and professor Paolo Martinelli have a long time experience about MSA and other parkinsonian syndromes. Research topics include clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of neurological diseases with acute and chronic dysautonomia, the genetics of Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, neuroimaging studies in parkinsonisms using advanced MR techniques as ¹H-spectroscopy, DWI, DTI and VBM, characterization of kinetic-dynamic parameters of L-dopa response, neurophysiological assessment of involuntary movements as tremor, neurophysiological assessment of spinal reflex activity in neurological diseases, characterization of  RBD, RLS and other sleep-related disorders in parkinsonisms.

Recent publications relevant to the EMSA-SG:

Giannini G, Calandra-Buonaura G, Mastrolilli F, Righini M, Bacchi-Reggiani ML, Cecere A, Barletta G, Guaraldi P, Provini F, Cortelli P. Early stridor onset and stridor treatment predict survival in 136 patients with MSA. Neurology 2016.

Calandra-Buonaura G, Doria A, Lopane G, Guaraldi P, Capellari S, Martinelli P, Cortelli P, Contin M. Pharmacodynamics of a low subacute levodopa dose helps distinguish between multiple system atrophy with predominant Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease. J Neurol 2016;263:250-256.

Zanigni S, Testa C, Calandra-Buonaura G, Sambati L, Guarino M, Gabellini A, Evangelisti S, Cortelli P, Lodi R, Tonon C. The contribution of cerebellar proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the differential diagnosis among parkinsonian syndromes. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2015;21:929-937.

Pierangeli G, Turrini A, Giannini G, Del Sorbo F, Calandra-Buonaura G, Guaraldi P, Bacchi Reggiani ML, Cortelli P. Translation and linguistic validation of the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score COMPASS 31. Neurol Sci 2015;36:1897-1902.

Baschieri F, Calandra-Buonaura G, Doria A, Mastrolilli F, Palareti A, Barletta G, Solieri L, Guaraldi P, Martinelli P, Cortelli P. Cardiovascular autonomic testing performed with a new integrated instrumental approach is useful in differentiating MSA-P from PD at an early stage. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2015;21:477-482.

Stanzani-Maserati M, Gallassi R, Calandra-Buonaura G, Alessandria M, Oppi F, Poda R, Sambati L, Provini F, Cortelli P. Cognitive and sleep features of multiple system atrophy: review and prospective study. Eur Neurol 2014;72:349-359.

Calandra-Buonaura G, Guaraldi P, Sambati L, Lopane G, Cecere A, Barletta G, Provini F, Contin M, Martinelli P, Cortelli P. Multiple system atrophy with prolonged survival: is late onset of dysautonomia the clue? Neurol Sci 2013;34:1875-1878.

Zanigni S, Calandra-Buonaura G, Grimaldi D, Cortelli P. REM behaviour disorder and neurodegenerative diseases. Sleep Med 2011;12 Suppl 2:S54-58.

Donadio V, Cortelli P, Elam M, Di Stasi V, Montagna P, Holmberg B, Giannoccaro MP, Bugiardini E, Avoni P, Baruzzi A, Liguori R. Autonomic innervation in multiple system atrophy and pure autonomic failure. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010;81:1327-1335.

Vetrugno R, Alessandria M, D'Angelo R, Plazzi G, Provini F, Cortelli P, Montagna P. Status dissociatus evolving from REM sleep behaviour disorder in multiple system atrophy. Sleep Med. 2009 Feb;10(2):247-52.

Rizzo G, Martinelli P, Manners D, Scaglione C, Tonon C, Cortelli P, Malucelli E, Capellari S, Testa C, Parchi P, Montagna P, Barbiroli B, Lodi R. Diffusion-weighted brain imaging study of patients with clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson's disease. Brain. 2008 Oct;131(Pt 10):2690-700.

Contin M, Martinelli P, Scaglione C, Avoni P, Albani F, Riva R, Baruzzi A. The effect of entacapone on levodopa rate of absorption and latency to motor response in patients with Parkinson disease. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2008 Sep-Oct;31(5):267-71..

Vetrugno R, D'Angelo R, Cortelli P, Plazzi G, Vignatelli L, Montagna P. Impaired cortical and autonomic arousal during sleep in multiple system atrophy. Clin Neurophysiol. 2007 Nov;118(11):2512-8.

Vetrugno R, Liguori R, Cortelli P, Plazzi G, Vicini C, Campanini A, D'Angelo R, Provini F, Montagna P. Sleep-related stridor due to dystonic vocal cord motion and neurogenic tachypnea/tachycardia in multiple system atrophy. Mov Disord. 2007 Apr 15;22(5):673-8.

Contin M, Martinelli P, Albani F, Scaglione C, Avoni P, Rizzo G, Baruzzi A. Kinetic-dynamic monitoring of levetiracetam effects in patients with Parkinson disease and levodopa-induced dyskinesias. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2007