Neurodegenerative disease and cognitive impairment
Clinical research at Fondazione Santa Lucia includes studies in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, with attention to frontal lobe cognitive functions and memory-related decline.
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Executive function
- Cognitive performance
The sponsor is involved in therapeutic work aimed at understanding and addressing cognitive symptoms associated with progressive neurodegenerative conditions.
Addiction medicine and substance use disorder
The sponsor supports research in drug dependence and relapse prevention, including clinical interest in reducing craving linked to opioids and stimulants such as heroin and cocaine.
- Substance use disorder
- Craving reduction
- Relapse prevention
This area reflects active therapeutic involvement in the management of dependence-related symptoms and recovery support.
Neuroendocrine and behavioral regulation
Research activity also extends to oxytocin-related pathways, with interest in mechanisms relevant to reward processing, stress response, and behavioral drivers of addiction.
- Oxytocin
- Reward circuitry
- Behavioral modulation
These topics connect neurobiological signaling with clinical questions in addiction treatment.
Gut-brain axis and intestinal barrier function
Trials supported by the sponsor include interest in the microbiota–brain connection, intestinal permeability, and gut-derived inflammatory signalling, linking gastrointestinal health with neurological and behavioral outcomes.
- Microbiota
- Intestinal barrier integrity
- Inflammatory signalling
This research area focuses on how gastrointestinal factors may influence brain-related conditions and addiction biology.
