Who we are

The ItalianDIAfN Network involves six Centers of excellence in Italy internationally recognised for the study and care of autosomal dominant forms of Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The Principal Investigator is Giovanni B Frisoni, M.D., Head of the local Laboratory of Neuroimaging and Alzheimer’s Epidemiology.

The Network works in cooperation with the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network (DIAN), funded by the Washington University in St. Louis, and the European Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative (GenFI), funded by the Italian Ministry of Health in the context of the International Network of Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration (CoEN).

A pharmacological study, concerning autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, has been launched in 2013. The study is sponsored by the Washington University in St. Louis and focuses on drugs that could potentially change the course of the disease. Two Italian Centres are currently involved in the set-up of this clinical trial in Italy.

MAP OF ITALIAN DIAFN PERFORMANCE SITES

Centres & Leadership

COORDINATING CENTRE

Irccs Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, Brescia

Dr. Giovanni B. Frisoni, MD

collaborators:
Laboratory of neuroimaging and Alzheimer’s Epidemiology:
Martina Bocchetta Study Coordinator, Psychologist
Michela Pievani Mathematician
Anna Mega Psychologist
Luigi Antelmi Biomedical Engineer

Day Hospital:
Giuliano Binetti Neurologist

Molecular Markers Laboratory:
Roberta Ghidoni Biologist
Luisa Benussi Biologist
Silvia Fostinelli Psychologist

Bioethics Unit:
Corinna Porteri Researcher in Bioethics

Genetic Unit:
Massimo Gennarelli Biologist

AFFILIATED CENTRES

Affiliated Centre

Irccs Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan

Dr. Fabrizio Tagliavini, MD

collaborators:
IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133 Milan
Silvia Suardi Biologist
Giuseppe di Fede Neurologist
Giacomina Rossi Biologist
Luisa Palamara Biologist
Veronica Redaelli Neurologist

Affiliated Centre

University Of Florence, Piazza Di San Marco 4,Florence

Prof. Sandro Sorbi, MD

collaborators:
Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence
Benedetta Nacmias Biologist
Irene Piaceri Biologist
Gemma Lombardi Neurologist

Affiliated Centre

Centro Regionale Di Neurogenetica, Via Sen. Arturo Perugini 7, Lamezia Terme

Dr. Amalia C. Bruni, MD

collaborators:
Centro Regionale di Neurogenetica, Lamezia Terme
Livia Bernardi Biologist
Rosanna Colao Neurologist
Gianfranco Puccio Neurologist
Marco Simonetta Clinical Engineer

Affiliated Centre

Università Di Brescia, Piazza Del Mercato 15, Brescia

Prof. Alessandro Padovani, MD

collaborators:
University of Brescia and Centre for Ageing Brain and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Brescia
Federica Gottardi Psychologist
Roberta Ranelli Psychologist
Rosanna Turrone Psychologist
Alberto Benussi Neurologist

Affiliated Centre

Irccs Ospedale Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, Milan

Prof. Elio Scarpini, MD

collaborators:
University of Milan, Fondazione Cà Granda, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
Daniela Galimberti Biologist

Partner of the Project

University Of Rome “La Sapienza”, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome

Prof. Claudio Babiloni,MD

collaborators:
University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome
Nicola Marzano Biomedical Engineer
Fabrizio Vecchio Biomedical Engineer
Roberta Lizio Biomedical Engineer

Expert Consultant

Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova and Division of Medical Genetics, Galliera Hospital, Genova Emilio di Maria Medico Genetista