Research - Unit of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Unit
The main objective of the Unit is to study the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response and their role in autoimmune neurological diseases, specifically Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, Paraneoplastic Neurological Disorders, and Immune-Mediated Diseases of the Peripheral Nervous System.
The research activity of the Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis Unit is conducted through the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), specifically within the area of Clinical and Experimental Neurosciences, and through the following research groups:
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Pathogenesis of autoimmune neuronal disorders
The group is interested in identifying the causes of acquired brain diseases of unknown origin, particularly autoimmune encephalopathies: describing their symptoms, developing diagnostic tools and identifying the best treatments.
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Advanced imaging in neuroimmunological diseases (ImaginEM)
Its aim is to search for imaging biomarkers in magnetic resonance imaging for the early detection of physical and cognitive disability and the response to therapies. It has a particular interest in understanding how the brain network functions and its capacity to overcome damage through neuroplasticity. To this end, the laboratory is conducting a clinical trial on cognitive rehabilitation and coordinating a multicentre study within the European MAGNIMS research group on changes in brain networks in multiple sclerosis.
This laboratory is a world reference center in the immunological study of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes and other autoimmune neuronal syndromes, and it is part of the European network PNSEURONET, which focuses on the study of these conditions. It also performs the detection of anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies for the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica.
The group’s research findings have had an impact across multiple medical and neuroscience disciplines, as they establish connections between immunological processes and neuronal functions related to memory, behavior, psychosis, epilepsy, and neurodegeneration.
