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Neurodegenerative Diseases

The research conducted in our group is geared toward elucidating the cause and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD), a disabling, currently incurable common neurodegenerative disorder. To this end, we perform clinical and pre-clinical translational research in both PD patients and in human-relevant experimental in vitro and in vivo PD-related models. 

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in PD should allow to: 

  • Identify biomarkers for PD diagnosis, early detection, patient stratification, disease progression, prognosis or response to treatment. This is the objective of the VHIP Project that the team is carrying out.
  • Identify new molecular targets for potential therapeutic intervention and prevention.
  • Develop novel therapeutic strategies with disease-modifying potential.
  • Unravel molecular pathways common to other neurodegenerative diseases and, in a broader sense, brain aging.
     

Team

Helena Xicoy Cortada

Helena Xicoy Cortada

Postdoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Javier Hoyo Pérez

Javier Hoyo Pérez

Administration and Management
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Joan Compte Barrón

Joan Compte Barrón

Predoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Joana Margalida Cladera  Sastre

Joana Margalida Cladera Sastre

Research technician
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Johanna Andrea Folleco Eraso

Johanna Andrea Folleco Eraso

Predoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Jorge Hernández Vara

Jorge Hernández Vara

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Helena Xicoy Cortada

Helena Xicoy Cortada

Postdoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Javier Hoyo Pérez

Javier Hoyo Pérez

Administration and Management
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Joan Compte Barrón

Joan Compte Barrón

Predoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Joana Margalida Cladera  Sastre

Joana Margalida Cladera Sastre

Research technician
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Johanna Andrea Folleco Eraso

Johanna Andrea Folleco Eraso

Predoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Jorge Hernández Vara

Jorge Hernández Vara

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more

Projects

NIPARK Neuromelamina como diana terapéutica en la enfermedad de Parkinson y envejecimiento cerebral: abordaje por neuroimagen y estimulación cerebral

IP: Miquel Vila Bover
Collaborators: Alba Nicolau Vera, Thais Cuadros Arasa, Marta González Sepúlveda
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 249984.79
Reference: AC20/00121
Duration: 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024

Mecanismos moleculares de neurodegeneración ligada a la neuromelanina en la enfermedad de Parkinson y envejecimiento cerebral

IP: Miquel Vila Bover
Collaborators: Thais Cuadros Arasa, Helena Xicoy Cortada, Marta González Sepúlveda, Annabelle Parent
Funding agency: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-MICINN
Funding: 332750
Reference: PID2020-116339RB-I00
Duration: 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2024

Ministerio de Ciencia

The brain-body axis in Parkinson’s disease patients: from pathophysiology to biomarkers and therapeutic approaches

IP: Ariadna Laguna Tuset
Collaborators: Maria Victoria Gonzalez Martinez, Miquel Vila Bover, Marina Lorente Picón, Helena Xicoy Cortada, Daniela Samaniego Toro, Daniela Samaniego Toro, Sara Belmonte Calderon
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 171820
Reference: PI21/01603
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024

Characterization of the CD8 T cell response in Parkinson’s disease for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies that halt the progression of the disease: SARS-Cov-2-induced long term-hyposmia as a possible prodromal stage

IP: Jordi Bove Badell
Collaborators: Miquel Vila Bover, Alejandro Ferré Masó, Oriol de Fabregues-Boixar Nebot, Carles Lorenzo Bosquet, Thais Cuadros Arasa, Antonio Palasi Franco, David Ramos Vicente
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 165770
Reference: PI21/01358
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2026

Publications

Efficacy and Safety of Pea Protein and Xyloglucan Versus Simethicone in Functional Abdominal Bloating and Distension.

PMID: 37923826
Journal: DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
Year: 2023
Reference: Dig Dis Sci. 2023 Nov 3. doi: 10.1007/s10620-023-08155-1.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Belohlavek, Jan; Dimitrova, Emiliya; Elenski, Kiril; Etropolska, Zlatka; Jung, Christian; Petrisor, Diana Corina; Riera, Jordi; Santos, Javier et al.
DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-08155-1

Anticoagulation and Bleeding during Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Insights from the PROTECMO Study.

PMID: 37943110
Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
Year: 2023
Reference: Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2023 Nov 9. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202305-0896OC.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Agerstrand, Cara; Ait Hssain, Ali; Arcadipane, Antonio; Balik, Martin; Beggs, Alan; Ben Yaou, Rabah; Bertini, Enrico Silvio; Bloch, Adrien; Boespflug-Tanguy, Odile; Bonne, Gisele et al.
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202305-0896OC

International Guideline for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy-Associated Cancer Screening: an International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) initiative.

PMID: 37945774
Journal: Nature Reviews Rheumatology
Year: 2023
Reference: Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2023 Nov 9. doi: 10.1038/s41584-023-01045-w.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Aggarwal, Rohit; Alonso Losada, Maria G; Alonso Redondo, Ruben; Alvarado, Maria Cristina Iniguez; Alvarez Sauco, Maria; Avila Rivera, Maria A; Borrue, Carmen; Buongiorno, Maria Teresa; Caballol, Nuria; Cabo, Iria et al.
DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-01045-w

Prophylactic mesh does not prevent parastomal hernia in long-term: Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

PMID: 37949696
Journal: SURGERY
Year: 2023
Reference: Surgery. 2023 Nov 8:S0039-6060(23)00708-0. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.09.038.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Agerstrand, Cara; Ait Hssain, Ali; Arcadipane, Antonio; Balik, Martin; Brodie, Daniel; Broman, Lars Mikael; Buabbas, Sara; Buscher, Hergen; Chico, Juan I; Combes, Alain et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.09.038

Blog

News

On World Clinical Trials Day, we highlight some of the studies we have participated in that confirm the efficacy of new drugs, allowing their approval by regulatory agencies.

Vall d'Hebron has participated in a phase III clinical trial which confirmed the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous infusion of levodopa therapy.

This initiative is part of a pioneering study that seeks to assess how the relationship between different age groups can influence the quality of life and mental health of patients.

Coneix i participa al projecte VHIP

Vall d'Hebron Iniciativa per al Parkinson (VHIP) is a research project aimed at the development of biochemical markers for the early detection of Parkinson's disease. This study is carried out in people at high risk of having this disease, because they carry genetic mutations that predispose to the development of Parkinson's or because they present non-motor symptoms that manifest themselves years before motor symptoms.

Access the project and study