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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

Miquel Vila Bover

Miquel Vila Bover

Head of group
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Ariadna Laguna Tuset

Ariadna Laguna Tuset

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Jordi Bove Badell

Jordi Bove Badell

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Marta Martínez Vicente

Marta Martínez Vicente

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Oriol de Fabregues-Boixar Nebot

Oriol de Fabregues-Boixar Nebot

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Mercedes Arrue Gonzalo

Mercedes Arrue Gonzalo

Postdoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Miquel Vila Bover

Miquel Vila Bover

Head of group
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Ariadna Laguna Tuset

Ariadna Laguna Tuset

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Jordi Bove Badell

Jordi Bove Badell

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Marta Martínez Vicente

Marta Martínez Vicente

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Read more
Oriol de Fabregues-Boixar Nebot

Oriol de Fabregues-Boixar Nebot

Main researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Mercedes Arrue Gonzalo

Mercedes Arrue Gonzalo

Postdoctoral researcher
Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Research lines

Alpha-synuclein involvement in Parkinson's disease

Formation and accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates are a central hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), the aggregation-prone protein á-synuclein accumulates in several areas of the central and peripheral nervous system. Pathological á-synuclein accumulation in PD can result from (i) abnormally increased á-synuclein expression, (ii) defective intracellular clearance of á-synuclein protein, (iii) progressive self-propagation and spreading of pathological á-synuclein between interconnected brain areas. Targeting á-synuclein pathological changes may provide therapeutic benefit to delay, halt or prevent neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in PD.

IP: Miquel Vila Bover

Identification of biomarkers of prodromal Parkinson's disease

Despite intensive efforts towards understanding the aetiology/pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and the development of novel therapeutic approaches for this neurodegenerative condition, the current treatment for PD remains symptomatic and yet far from modifying disease onset or progression. Before the manifestation of the classical motor symptoms, PD patients present with non-motor symptoms in a prodromal phase. The identification of deregulated molecular pathways or genes in peripheral blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid from these prodromal patients may help develop potential biomarkers for the early detection, diagnosis, risk assessment and/or progression of PD, which are currently lacking, as well as to stratify patients at very early stages to apply more specific, personalized disease-modifying treatments.

IP: Miquel Vila Bover, Ariadna Laguna Tuset

Mitophagy impairment in Huntington's disease

Defective lysosomal-mediated turnover of mitochondria may play a pathogenic role in Huntington’s disease neurodegeneration.

IP: Marta Martínez Vicente

Neuromelanin and Parkinson's disease

In Parkinson's disease (PD), there is a selective degeneration of neurons that contain a dark-brown pigment called neuromelanin, especially dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra, which leads to the classical motor symptoms of the disease. However, the physiological significance of neuromelanin and its potential contribution to PD pathogenesis remain unknown.

IP: Miquel Vila Bover

Projects

Red de Investigación MitoNED: (Dis)función mitocondrial en enfermedades neurodegenerativas

IP: Miquel Vila Bover
Collaborators: -
Funding agency: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-MICINN
Funding: 0.01
Reference: RED2022-134786-T
Duration: 01/06/2023 - 31/05/2025

Ministerio de Ciencia

New nanotechnological therapy for Parkinson ?s disease: nose to brain delivery of GBA-polymer nanoconjugates

IP: Marta Martínez Vicente
Collaborators: Pablo Castillo Sánchez, Laia Perez Lasarte
Funding agency: Agència Gestió Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
Funding: 73383.97
Reference: AGAUR/FI/2023/CASTILLO
Duration: 01/06/2023 - 31/05/2026

Peripheral synucleinopathy: pathogenicity and modulation of propagation

IP: Ariadna Laguna Tuset
Collaborators: -
Funding agency: Parkinson's Foundation
Funding: 54466.62
Reference: PARKINSON.F_IMPACT2022
Duration: 01/07/2022 - 31/05/2024

Malalties neurovasculars

IP: Anna Rosell Novel
Collaborators: Mercedes Arrue Gonzalo, Joan Montaner Villalonga, Marcel Lamana Vallverdu, Anna Penalba Morenilla, Anna Bonaterra Pastra, Maria Mar Hernandez Guillamon, Olga Maisterra Santos, Maria Pilar Delgado Martínez, Antonio Palasi Franco, Jesús Pizarro Gonzálvez, Paula Garcia Rodriguez, Miguel García Gabilondo, Nicolas Garcia Rodriguez
Funding agency: Agència Gestió Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
Funding: 40000
Reference: 2021 SGR 00656
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2024

Publications

Simulators and Simulations for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: An ECMO Scoping Review.

PMID: 36902552
Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine
Year: 2023
Reference: J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 22;12(5):1765. doi: 10.3390/jcm12051765.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Arens, Jutta; Dabrowski, Marek; Duinmeijer, Wytze C; Fresiello, Libera; Halfwerk, Frank R; Obreja, Valentina; Puslecki, Mateusz; Riera, Jordi; Riera, Jordi; Swol, Justyna et al.
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051765

Correction: Syndemic conditions and quality of life in the PISCIS Cohort of people living with HIV in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands: a cross sectional study.

PMID: 37254155
Journal: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Year: 2023
Reference: Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2023 May 30;21(1):53. doi: 10.1186/s12955-023-02139-5.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Alonso-Garcia, Lucia; Bruguera, Andreu; Casabona, Jordi; Diaz, Yesika; Egea-Cortes, Laia; Folch, Cinta; Forero, Carlos G; Hernandez, Juan; Mesias-Gazmuri, Jocelyn; Miro, Jose M et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s12955-023-02139-5

A blood microRNA classifier for the prediction of ICU mortality in COVID-19 patients: a multicenter validation study.

PMID: 37328754
Journal: RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
Year: 2023
Reference: Respir Res. 2023 Jun 17;24(1):159. doi: 10.1186/s12931-023-02462-x.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Anon, Jose M; Barbe, Ferran; Barbera, Carmen; Belmonte, Thalia; Benitez, Ivan D; Bermejo-Martin, Jesus F; Bustamante-Munguira, Elena; Caballero, Jesus; Carbonell, Nieves; Ceccato, Adrian et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02462-x

An integral approach to the molecular diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex: the role of mosaicism and splicing variants.

PMID: 37356622
Journal: JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
Year: 2023
Reference: J Mol Diagn. 2023 Jun 23:S1525-1578(23)00134-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.06.006.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Antolin, Maria; Blasco-Perez, Laura; Camprodon-Gomez, Maria; Garcia-Arumi, Elena; Iranzo-Nuez, Leticia; Lopez-Ortega, Ricard; Martinez-Cruz, Desiree; Tenes, Anna; Tizzano, Eduardo F et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2023.06.006

Mucosal Plasma Cell Activation and Proximity to Nerve Fibres Are Associated with Glycocalyx Reduction in Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Jejunal Barrier Alterations Underlying Clinical Manifestations.

PMID: 35805133
Journal: Cells
Year: 2022
Reference: Cells. 2022 Jun 28;11(13). pii: cells11132046. doi: 10.3390/cells11132046.
Impact factor: 6.6
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Rodriguez-Urrutia, Amanda, Torres, Ines de, Santos-Briones, Ignacio, Azpiroz, Fernando, Lobo, Beatriz, Alonso-Cotoner, Carmen, Santos, Javier, Gonzalez-Castro, Ana M, Vicario, Maria, Guagnozzi, Danila et al.
DOI: 10.3390/cells11132046

Eosinophils in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Key Contributors to Neuro-Immune Crosstalk and Potential Implications in Disorders of Brain-Gut Interaction.

PMID: 35626681
Journal: Cells
Year: 2022
Reference: Cells. 2022 May 14;11(10). pii: cells11101644. doi: 10.3390/cells11101644.
Impact factor: 6.6
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Salvo-Romero, Eloisa, Rodino-Janeiro, Bruno K, Albert-Bayo, Merce, Lobo, Beatriz, Santos, Javier, Farre, Ricard, Martinez, Cristina, Vicario, Maria et al.
DOI: 10.3390/cells11101644

Spontaneous changes in brain striatal dopamine synthesis and storage dynamics ex vivo reveal end-product feedback-inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase.

PMID: 35429504
Journal: NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
Year: 2022
Reference: Neuropharmacology. 2022 Jul 1;212:109058. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109058. Epub 2022 Apr 13.
Impact factor: 5.251
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Gonzalez-Sepulveda, Marta, Omar, Muhammad Yusof, Hamdon, Sally, Ma, Guofen, Rosell-Vilar, Santi, Raivio, Noora, Abass, Doaa, Martinez-Rivas, Anna, Vila, Miquel, Giraldo, Jesus et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109058

Corticobasal syndrome: A case of discordance between the clinical findings and the imaging biomarkers.

PMID: 34794916
Journal: Revista Espanola de Medicina Nuclear e Imagen Molecular
Year: 2022
Reference: Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol (Engl Ed). 2022 Jan-Feb;41(1):52-54. doi: 10.1016/j.remnie.2021.05.002. Epub 2021 Nov 16.
Impact factor: 1.359
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Carrillo-Villamizar, E, Cardozo-Saavedra, A, Lorenzo-Bosquet, C, Lucas Del Pozo, S, Martinez-Saez, E, Hernandez-Vara, J et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.remnie.2021.05.002

Present and Future Therapeutic Approaches to Barrier Dysfunction.

PMID: 34778332
Journal: Frontiers in Nutrition
Year: 2021
Reference: Front Nutr. 2021 Oct 28;8:718093. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.718093. eCollection 2021.
Impact factor: 6.576
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Fortea, Marina, Albert-Bayo, Merce, Abril-Gil, Mar, Ganda Mall, John-Peter, Serra-Ruiz, Xavier, Henao-Paez, Alejandro, Exposito, Elba, Gonzalez-Castro, Ana Maria, Guagnozzi, Danila, Lobo, Beatriz et al.
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.718093

Serum metabolic biomarkers for synucleinopathy conversion in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder.

PMID: 33986284
Journal: npj Parkinsons Disease
Year: 2021
Reference: NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2021 May 13;7(1):40. doi: 10.1038/s41531-021-00184-9.
Impact factor: 8.651
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Yanes, Oscar, Laguna, Ariadna, Xicoy, Helena, Tolosa, Eduardo, Serradell, Monica, Vilas, Dolores, Gaig, Carles, Fernandez, Manel, Iranzo, Alex, Vila, Miquel et al.
DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00184-9

Corticobasal syndrome: A case of discordance between the clinical findings and the imaging biomarkers.

PMID: 33875401
Journal: Revista Espanola de Medicina Nuclear e Imagen Molecular
Year: 2021
Reference: Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol (Engl Ed). 2021 Apr 16. pii: S2253-654X(21)00057-3. doi: 10.1016/j.remn.2021.02.015.
Impact factor: 1.359
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Hernandez-Vara, J, Martinez-Saez, E, Lucas Del Pozo, S, Cardozo-Saavedra, A, Carrillo-Villamizar, E, Lorenzo-Bosquet, C et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.remn.2021.02.015

The Role of Purported Mucoprotectants in Dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Diarrhea, and Other Chronic Diarrheal Disorders in Adults.

PMID: 33738725
Journal: ADVANCES IN THERAPY
Year: 2021
Reference: Adv Ther. 2021 May;38(5):2054-2076. doi: 10.1007/s12325-021-01676-z. Epub 2021 Mar 18.
Impact factor: 3.847
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Alonso-Cotoner, Carmen, Abril-Gil, Mar, Albert-Bayo, Merce, Mall, John-P Ganda, Exposito, Elba, Gonzalez-Castro, Ana M, Lobo, Beatriz, Santos, Javier et al.
DOI: 10.1007/s12325-021-01676-z

The Emerging Role of the Lysosome in Parkinson's Disease.

PMID: 33147750
Journal: Cells
Year: 2020
Reference: Cells. 2020 Nov 2;9(11). pii: cells9112399. doi: 10.3390/cells9112399.
Impact factor: 4.366
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Navarro-Romero, Alba, Montpeyo, Marta, Martinez-Vicente, Marta et al.
DOI: 10.3390/cells9112399

CD8 T cell nigral infiltration precedes synucleinopathy in early stages of Parkinson's disease.

PMID: 33118032
Journal: BRAIN
Year: 2020
Reference: Brain. 2020 Dec 1;143(12):3717-3733. doi: 10.1093/brain/awaa269.
Impact factor: 11.337
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Galiano-Landeira, Jordi, Torra, Albert, Vila, Miquel, Bove, Jordi et al.
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa269

Validation of a Reversed Phase UPLC-MS/MS Method to Determine Dopamine Metabolites and Oxidation Intermediates in Neuronal Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells and Brain Tissue.

PMID: 32786306
Journal: ACS Chemical Neuroscience
Year: 2020
Reference: ACS Chem Neurosci. 2020 Sep 2;11(17):2679-2687. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00336. Epub 2020 Aug 24.
Impact factor: 4.486
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Nicolau, Alba, Guillard-Sirieix, Camille, Xicoy, Helena, Kobayashi, Jumpei, Vila, Miquel, Compte, Joan, Penuelas, Nuria, Cuadros, Thais, Gonzalez-Sepulveda, Marta, Laguna, Ariadna et al.
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00336

BDNF levels and nigrostriatal degeneration in "drug naive" Parkinson's disease patients. An "in vivo" study using I-123-FP-CIT SPECT.

PMID: 32682292
Journal: PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
Year: 2020
Reference: Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2020 Sep;78:31-35. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.06.037. Epub 2020 Jul 4.
Impact factor: 3.926
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Lucas-Del Pozo, S, Carter, S, Armengol-Bellapart, M, Castell-Conesa, J, Cuberas-Borros, G, Corominas-Roso, M, Lorenzo-Bosquet, C, Saez-Francas, N, Hernandez-Vara, J et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.06.037

Autophagic- and Lysosomal-Related Biomarkers for Parkinson's Disease: Lights and Shadows.

PMID: 31731485
Journal: Cells
Year: 2019
Reference: Cells. 2019 Oct 25;8(11). pii: cells8111317. doi: 10.3390/cells8111317.
Impact factor: 5.656
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Xicoy, Helena, Penuelas, Nuria, Vila, Miquel, Laguna, Ariadna et al.
DOI: 10.3390/cells8111317

Brain tyrosinase overexpression implicates age-dependent neuromelanin production in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.

PMID: 30846695
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2019
Reference: Nat Commun. 2019 Mar 7;10(1):973. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-08858-y.
Impact factor: 11.878
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Gonzalez-Sepulveda, Marta, Penuelas, Nuria, Torra, Albert, Rodriguez-Galvan, Beatriz, Ballabio, Andrea, Hasegawa, Takafumi, Bortolozzi, Analia, Gelpi, Ellen, Vila, Miquel, Parent, Annabelle et al.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08858-y

Intestinal Mucosal Mast Cells: Key Modulators of Barrier Function and Homeostasis.

PMID: 30744042
Journal: Cells
Year: 2019
Reference: Cells. 2019 Feb 8;8(2). pii: cells8020135. doi: 10.3390/cells8020135.
Impact factor: 5.656
Publication type: Review in national publication
Authors: Albert-Bayo, Merce, Paracuellos, Irene, Gonzalez-Castro, Ana M, Rodriguez-Urrutia, Amanda, Rodriguez-Lagunas, Maria J, Alonso-Cotoner, Carmen, Santos, Javier, Vicario, Maria et al.
DOI: 10.3390/cells8020135

Metabolic adaptation in the human gut microbiota during pregnancy and the first year of life.

PMID: 30415891
Journal: EBioMedicine
Year: 2019
Reference: EBioMedicine. 2019 Jan;39:497-509. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.10.071. Epub 2018 Nov 8.
Impact factor: 6.68
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Gosalbes, Maria Jose, Compte, Joan, Moriano-Gutierrez, Silvia, Valles, Yvonne, Jimenez-Hernandez, Nuria, Pons, Xavier, Artacho, Alejandro, Francino, M Pilar et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.10.071

Thesis

Neuropathological and molecular alterations in a novel neuromelanin-producing transgenic mouse model: relevance to Parkinson's disease and brain aging

PhD student: Núria Peñuelas Peñarroya
Director/s: Miquel Vila Bover, Ariadna Laguna Tuset
University:
Year: 2023

Etiopathogenic relevance of CD8+ T cells in Parkinson's disease

PhD student: Jordi Galiano Landeira
Director/s: Jordi Bove Badell
University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona
Year: 2021

Transcription factor eb-mediated neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects: relevance to parkinson's disease

PhD student: Albert Torra i Talavera
Director/s: Jordi Bove Badell, Miquel Vila Bover
University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona
Year: 2019

Transcription factor eb-mediated neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects: relevance to parkinson's disease

PhD student: Albert Torra i Talavera
Director/s: Jordi Bove Badell, Miquel Vila Bover
University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona
Year: 2019

Mitochondrial quality control in neurodegenerative diseases: focus on Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease

PhD student: Sandra Franco Iborra
Director/s: Miquel Vila Bover
University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona
Year: 2018

Noves formes farmacèutiques i vies d'administració de Levodopa per al tractament de la malaltia de Parkinson: nou anys d'experiència en infusió intraduodenal del gel de Levodopa/Carbidopa Tutor: Dr. José Rodríguez Álvarez

PhD student: Oriol de Fabregues-Boixar Nebot
Director/s: Francesc Miquel Rodriguez, Miquel Vila Bover
University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona
Year: 2016

Blog

News

Dr. Miquel Vila, head of the Neurodegenerative Diseases research group at VHIR, is the co-chair of the local organising committee. And Dr. Ariadna Laguna, principal investigator of the same group, is a scientific ambassador.

Researchers describe the molecular mechanisms by which the GBA gene, the main genetic risk factor, associates with the accumulation of α-synuclein in neurons.

It is the project “New Nanotechnological Therapy for Parkinson’s disease: Nose to Brain Delivery of GBA-Polymer Nanoconjugates (nanoGBAtoBrain)”.

Job offers

Licensed Research Technician Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group_20240068
Start date:
20/02/2024
End date:
05/03/2024
Document: Download
Technician Graduate/Licensed Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group_20240039
Start date:
29/01/2024
End date:
12/02/2024
Document: Download
20240018_Study Coordinator - Neurodegenerative Diseases Group
Start date:
17/01/2024
End date:
31/01/2024
Document: Download

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