Prof. Patrizia Mecocci
Participant code: UNIPG
Prof. Patrizia Mecocci
Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Perugia,
Policlinico Monteluce-Padiglione E,
via Brunamonti 51, 06122 Perugia (Italy)
Group’s experience:
Prof. Patrizia Mecocci is Professor of Gerontology and Geriatrics at the University of Perugia, directing the Neurochemistry laboratory of the Institute as well as Center of Brain Aging and Dementias in the Elderly of the Geriatric Clinic-Monteluce Hospital in Perugia, Italy. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the journal “Brain Aging” . She has a long-standing experience in studying the role of oxidative stress and of nutritional factors in aging (with a peculiar interest in centenarians), in some age-related diseases such as cognitive decline and dementias as well as in pathologies more frequently observed in old age, such as chronic heart failure, diabetes or stroke. Her lab is focused on the development of methods to study modification in biomolecules due to attack of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species. Professor Mecocci with her group has shown during these the last few years that biochemical alterations due to oxidative stress are well documented not only in CNS but also in the periphery: This could be quite relevant, as peripheral modifications could serve as marker of disease or of efficacy of specific therapies.
The activity of Zn, Se and eme dependent enzymes, such as SOD, GPX and catalase, have been extensively studied in plasma, blood cells and tissues (for example muscle) in aging and several age-related diseases and results published in peer-reviewed papers, some of which are cited below.
Personnel involved:
1. Prof. Patrizia Mecocci, (F) responsible group 10 in WP3
2. Dr. Patrizia Rinaldi (F) expert clinical researcher on aging, mild cognitive impairment and dementia
3. Mrs. Roberta Cecchetti (F)Lab technician with a great experience on oxidative stress techniques
4. Post-doctoral fellow to be appointed.
Recent relevant publications:
1) Catani M, Piccirilli M, Cherubini A, Tarducci R, Sciarma T, Gobbi G, Pelliccioli G, Petrillo SM, Senin U, Mecocci P. Axonal injury within language network in primary progressive aphasia. Ann Neurol. 2003 Feb;53(2):242-7.
2) Polidori MC, Cherubini A, Stahl W, Senin U, Sies H, Mecocci P. Plasma carotenoid and malondialdehyde levels in ischemic stroke patients: relationship to early outcome. Free Radic Res. 2002 Mar;36(3):265-8.
3) Mecocci P, Polidori MC, Cherubini A, Ingegni T, Mattioli P, Catani M, Rinaldi P, Cecchetti R, Stahl W, Senin U, Beal MF. Lymphocyte oxidative DNA damage and plasma antioxidants in Alzheimer disease. Arch Neurol. 2002 May;59(5):794-8.
4) Polidori MC, Savino K, Alunni G, Freddio M, Senin U, Sies H, Stahl W, Mecocci P. Plasma lipophilic antioxidants and malondialdehyde in congestive heart failure patients: relationship to disease severity. Free Radic Biol Med. 2002 Jan 15;32(2):148-52.
5) Cherubini A, Polidori MC, Bregnocchi M, Pezzuto S, Cecchetti R, Ingegni T, di Iorio A, Senin U, Mecocci P.
Antioxidant profile and early outcome in stroke patients. Stroke. 2000 Oct;31(10):2295-300.