Research lines

• Autosomal dominant forms of neurodegenerative dementias and rare dementias

  Directed by Raquel Sánchez-Valle

  Sánchez‑Valle’s research focuses on characterizing the earliest stages of autosomal dominant dementia, including autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, genetic frontotemporal dementia, and genetic prion disorders. Her work also addresses rare sporadic forms of dementia—such as frontotemporal lobar degeneration, primary progressive aphasia, and sporadic prion diseases—and explores innovative therapeutic strategies for these conditions.

• Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

  Directed by Albert Lladó

  Lladó’s research explores the epidemiology, biomarkers, therapies, and social factors in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. The main aims include understanding early-onset and atypical forms, validating diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and studying real-world outcomes of amyloid-targeting therapies and clinical trials.

• Dementia with lewy bodies and concomitant pathologies in Alzheimer’s disease

  Directed by Mircea Balasa

  Balasa’s research focuses on validating fluid and imaging biomarkers for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer’s disease with concomitant pathologies, assessing biomarker-based predictions of disease progression, and identifying predictors of therapy response for personalised treatment strategies.

• The role of microglia and neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration

  Directed by Anna Martinez-Muriana

  Martinez-Muriana investigates how microglia and neuroinflammation drive neurodegeneration, with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease. Using humanized models coupled with integrated functional genomics and multi-omics approaches, her team profiles human microglial states across health and disease to uncover causal pathways and identify actionable therapeutic targets.

• Development and validation of cognitive assessment tools across the healthy aging–Alzheimer’s disease continuum

  Directed by Lorena Rami

  Rami’s research aims to define the neuropsychological features of the main neurodegenerative dementias. Her team develops new questionnaires and cognitive tools to better evaluate early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. In addition, they use MRI techniques to link cognitive performance with changes in brain structure and function.

• Investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegenerative dementias

  Directed by Raquel Sánchez-Valle and Anna Antonell

  The research aims of Sánchez-Valle and Antonell are to identify and validate key proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Using omics and targeted approaches, their team examines gene expression, DNA methylation, and protein levels in biofluids and brain tissue to propose new therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

• Role of the locus coeruleus and sleep disturbances in neurodegenerative dementias

  Directed by Neus Falgàs 

  Falgàs investigates how early degeneration of the locus coeruleus and associated noradrenergic dysfunction contribute to sleep disturbances, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and other clinical manifestations in neurodegenerative dementias, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. We integrate neuroimaging, fluid biomarkers, and polysomnography to better understand neurophysiological changes, improve early diagnosis, and identify novel therapeutic targets.