INTRODUCTION
The unique composition of the Sant Pau Memory Unit, gathering a team of neurologists, neuropsychologists, research nurses, biologists, engineers and laboratory technicians, has fostered the development of translational research lines that combine clinical observations, direct contact with patients and their relatives, and basic laboratory research.
In the last 4 years, the group has contributed more than 120 research articles in high impact journals, which have been reflected in more than 3500 citations. This research work has also been presented at the principal national and international congresses in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, as we are firmly committed to the development of new and better treatments against Alzheimer’s disease, our group has taken part in numerous research clinical trials.
Translational Research
Alberto Lleó – Principal Investigator
The multidisciplinary nature of the Sant Pau Memory Unit has favored the development of translational research lines that aim to bridge the gap between bench and clinic. Consequently, many of the results from these research lines have an immediate impact on clinical practice.
Our main translational research lines include the study of biomarkers and the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases.
Molecular Genetics
Jordi Clarimon – Principal Investigator
Our Molecular Genetics Unit is focused on understanding the genetic causes underlying neurodegenerative disorders, and developing new genetic-based biomarkers to aid in disease diagnosis and prognosis.
We also collaborate actively with numerous international and national genomic consortiums aimed at revealing the genetic architecture of neurodegenerative disorders, including dementias, neuromuscular disorders such as ALS and Parkinson’s disease.
Neuroimage
Juan Fortea – Principal Investigator
In the Memory Unit we perform image processing and analysis studies using medical imaging semi-automated techniques. Thanks to this topographic markers, we can correlate structural, functional or even metabolic brain measures with several cerebrospinal fluid, clinical or neuropsychologic biomarkers.
Our Memory Unit has different research projects in the study of imaging biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease and other related disorders.
Advanced therapies
Rafael Blesa – Principal Investigator
In the Sant Pau Memory Unit, we have a team that is specifically dedicated to the development of advanced therapies that are offered through clinical trials. Their aim is to offer new drugs under development to all patients that could potentially benefit from them. Most of the studies are coordinated at an international level and are focused on Alzheimer’s disease.
It has been proposed that the best treatment strategy against Alzheimer’s disease would be to slow down the natural evolution of the disease by reducing the brain amyloid load.
SPIN cohort (Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration)
The main objective of SPIN cohort is to deepen into the knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal lobe degeneration, through the study of biochemical and neuroimaging biomarkers. To achieve this aim, we need the collaboration of patients and healthy volunteers to whom we ask to complete a series of neuropsychological, analytical and imaging tests.
This information is helping to understand how biomarkers and memory performance relate to each other and how they change over time.
