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Researcher

Daniele Bertoglio

  • Research Expertise:My research is aimed at the application of state-of-the-art small animal translational neuroimaging tools to quantify structural, functional, and molecular changes in preclinical models of neurological diseases to accelerate the development of therapies. The main effort is dedicated to the identification, validation, and assessment of innovative imaging biomarkers for the central nervous system (CNS) in neurodegenerative disorders, with a specific focus on both movement and traumatic disorders, including Huntington's disease (HD) and spinal cord injury (SCI), respectively. This is achieved thanks to the state-of-the-art preclinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging equipment available. In addition to imaging modalities, my expertise includes in vivo and in vitro techniques to support imaging findings. By performing longitudinal multimodal studies, we can assess the prognostic and/or predictive value imaging biomarkers hold in relation to disease progression or the efficacy of a therapeutic intervention. I have also extensive expertise in behavioural studies, histology, autoradiography, and brain surgeries. The final goal is to identify candidate clinically relevant markers for the monitoring of disease progression as well as the assessment of the therapeutic effect of novel treatments during the early stages of neurological disorders.
  • Keywords:CNS DISEASE, BRAIN IMAGING, EXPERIMENTAL STUDY, MOUSE MODELS, Medicine
  • Disciplines:Diagnostics, Laboratory medicine, Medical imaging and therapy, Medical systems biology, Neurosciences, Psychiatry and psychotherapy, Surgery, Other medical and health sciences
  • Research techniques:I have experience with a wide range of techniques, mainly in vivo and in vitro work. 1) In vivo work: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): - Anatomical and structural MRI. - Resting state functional MRI. - Network connectivity analyses. - Application in neurological disorders. Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. - Pharmacokinetic modelling of radioligands. - Validation of novel ligands for molecular imaging. - Radiometabolite assessment. - Pharmacological studies. - Application of novel radioligands in neurological disorders. Long-term monitoring of video-Electroencefalogram (videoEEG): - Cortical and deep electrodes surgery. - vEEG data processing and analysis. Behavioural studies in rodents, primarily for anxiety and depression (e.g. forced-swim test, tail suspension test, light/dark box, handling test, whisker nuisance test, resident-intruder test). 2) In vitro work: Sectioning with cryostat and microtome Autoradiography: - Specificity validation of novel ligands. - Application in neurological disorders. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence: - Validation of molecular changes and inflammation in brain tissue - Application in neurological disorders
  • Users of research expertise:Researchers working with preclinical animal models of neurological disorders interested in the application of non-invasive techniques. Studying structural, functional and molecular changes that occur in neurological disorders using in vivo imaging techniques (namely magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging). Researchers interested in using small animal imaging modalities to identify candidate biomarkers for monitoring disease progression, predicting outcomes and evaluating the efficacy of innovative therapeutics for neurological disorders.