RESEARCHERS
YEARS average age
PROFESSORS
% WOMEN researchers
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS per year
90
RESEARCHERS
35
YEARS
average age
30
PROFESSORS
60
% WOMEN researchers
50+
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS per year
Neuroscience Institute
Cavalieri Ottolenghi
The main goal of NICO research center is to study the fundamental biological mechanisms of nervous system function, whose knowledge is essential for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders.
News
A study on the impact of green exposure on MDEs symptomatology and inflammatory biomarkers
Un’esposizione breve ma regolare al verde può essere associata, in poche settimane, al miglioramento dei sintomi depressivi e a una riduzione di alcuni marcatori biologici di infiammazione e risposta allo stress, noti per essere coinvolti nei disturbi dell’umore. Lo dimostra lo studio del gruppo NICO guidato dal prof. Vercelli pubblicato di recente su Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Depression in mice causes decreased neuronal excitability
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS – Depression is a major problem of contemporary society, with limited treatment efficacy due to incomplete understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is involved in stress response and depression, but the neuronal mechanisms are still debated.
We induced a depressive-like behavior in mice by chronic social defeat stress. mPFC neuronal activity was recorded in cortical slices of susceptible mice that developed social avoidance, in resilient and in controls not subjected to the stress protocol.
Multispecies characterization of immature neurons in the mammalian amygdala reveals their expansion in primates
PLOS BIOLOGY – Structural changes involving new neurons can occur through stem cell-driven neurogenesis, and through incorporation of late-maturing “immature” neurons into networks, namely undifferentiated neuronal precursors frozen in a state of arrested maturation. The latter have been found in the cerebral cortex and are particularly abundant in large-brained mammals, covarying with the size of the brain and cortex. Similar cells have been described in the amygdala of some species, although their features and interspecies variation remain poorly understood.
Hybrid seminar
- 06/02/2026 - 2:30 pm
Researchers Area
NICO intends to provide high quality neuroscientific research, with a specific interest in prevention, diagnostics, and cure of neurological disorders.
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Our 10 research groups with complementary approaches and experiences
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Here you can find our latest scientific publications
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The list of our ongoing research projects
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PICO Platform for Imaging at Cavalieri Ottolenghi
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Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) are the most commonly known neurodegenerative diseases, and many families are touched, directly or indirectly, by the burdens of these diseases.
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