Mapping of Italian research excellence in Neurodegenerative - Apre

Nome Patrizia Hrelia, Full Professor in Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy
Contatti
Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna
Tel.: +39 051 2091799
e-mail: patrizia.hrelia@unibo.it
Istituto/Dipartimento Department of Pharmacology , Alma Mater Studiorum - University of
Bologna
Nome Silvana Hrelia, Associate Professor in Biochemistry, Faculty of
Pharmacy
Contatti
Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna
Tel.: +39 051 2091233
e-mail: silvana.hrelia@unibo.it
Istituto/Dipartimento Department of Biochemistry, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of
Bologna
Proposta di ricerca
Our project is aimed at the identification of cellular and molecular targets affected by
phytochemicals, to delineate pharmacological and nutritional strategies for the reduction or the
prevention of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation associated to ageing and
neurodegenerative diseases. The project is innovative since it represents a joint action with the
attempt:
1) to adequately understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms commanding cell death in
neurodegeneration and behind neuroprotective effects of phytochemicals;
2) to identify phytochemicals having diverse pharmacological activities, such as neuroprotection and
antiinflammation;
3) to confirm if these phytochemicals have a specific pharmacological effectiveness in the
prevention/counteraction of one of the most important aging-related neurodegeneration and
neuroinflammation hallmarks, oxidative stress, as a primary prevention mechanism;
4) to understand if these phytochemicals can act as biomodulators in neuronal cells through
modulation of survival pathways, suggesting a potential therapeutic use in regenerating injured
neuronal cells;
5) to establish the therapeutic window that allows an effectively impact of phytochemicals on
specific targets;
In longer terms, our studies will indicate whether pharmacological and nutritional strategies with
phytochemicals should be effective and safe in counteracting cellular and molecular damage
associated to human neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation.