Paola Alberti

Experimental Neurology Unit - PhD programme in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

Paola Alberti si è diplomata nel 2004 presso il “Liceo Classico - Alessandro Volta” di Como. Si è quindi iscritta all’Università di Milano-Bicocca (Milano) ove ha conseguito il titolo di Dottore in Medicina e Chirurgia (2010) e, successivamente, di Medico Specialista in Neurologia (2016). Attualmente è dottorando in Neuroscienze presso il medesimo Ateneo, ove lavora presso la “Experimental Neurology Unit” (Direttore: Professor Guido Cavaletti). Sin da studente in Medicina e Chirurgia ha sviluppato una particolare propensione per la ricerca. Il suo principale campo d’interesse è la Neurotossicità Periferica da Chemioterapici (CIPN). E’ autore di 24 articoli scientifici su riviste internazionali indicizzate (indice H:12), su argomenti relativi a CIPN. E’ membro delle seguenti società scientifiche: SIN, ASNP, PNS, Centro di Neuroscienze di Milano. E’ un membro attivo nella sua Università essendo anche rappresentante dei Dottorandi (precedentemente rappresentante dei Medici Specializzandi).

Paola Alberti graduated from secondary school “Liceo Classico - Alessandro Volta” (2004, Como) and was then enrolled at University of Milano-Bicocca (Milan). She obtained there her Medical Doctor title (2010) and board in Neurology (2016). She is currently a PhD student in Neuroscience at the same University; she works at the Experimental Neurology Unit (Head: Professor Guido Cavaletti). Since she was a student in Medicine she developed an interest in research. Her main field of interest is Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity (CIPN). She authored 24 papers on international peer-review journals (h-index: 12), on CIPN related topics. She is involved either in clinical either in preclinical national and international CIPN research projects. She has a particular expertise in clinical and preclinical neurophysiology. She is a member of the following scientific societies: SIN, ASNP, PNS, Milan Center for Neuroscience. She is an active member of her University being also a PhD representative (and former Resident Representative).

ION CHANNEL DYSFUNCTION AND AXONAL HYPEREXCITABILITY IN ANIMAL MODELS: A POSSIBLE KEY TO PERIPHERAL NEUROTOXICITY.

Ion channel dysfunction has been suggested as a mechanism of peripheral nerve damage. There is a particular case in which this hypothesis is quite consistent: Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity (OIPN). Oxaliplatin is the cornerstone drug for colorectal cancer treatment; its use in clinical practice is limited by OIPN. There is no cure for this adverse event and it affects a vast proportion of cancer survivors. OIPN treatment has become a hot topic in Oncology practice. Transient ion channel dysfunction has been suggested to cause acute neurotoxicity symptoms: mainly, transient cold hyperalgesia, after administration (lasting 24-72 hours). A worse acute neurotoxicity has been related to a more severe chronic one (persistent sensory loss and neuropathic pain at limb extremities). Ion channels are mainly studied through in vitro techniques. However, also in vivo studies should be performed to develop new drugs for OIPN management. Our aim was implementing advanced neurophysiology in animal models to better understand OIPN pathogenesis, possibly relating acute and chronic phenomena. Nerve Excitability Testing (NET) could possibly be the solution to test axonal hyperexcitability induced by Oxaliplatin in in vivo experiments. We obtained a full NET profile of significant changes in our animal models of acute and chronic OIPN. Thus, we verified NET highly translational potential: the in vivo NET changes in animals can be matched either to findings from in vitro experiments focused on ion channels, either to clinical data (NET is easily applied in humans). We are testing AEDs to modulate acute neurotoxicity as tentative prevention of chronic OIPN.