The human brain is an extraordinarily complex structure, whose details has not been fully understood. To date, the scientists could be compared to those pioneers that, centuries ago, drew the first geographic maps during dangerous journeys by sea or overland. Indeed, the tridimensional structure of the brain is so complex and difficult to explore that […]
Author Archives: Luca Maggioni
38 posts published by Luca Maggioni

The MECP2 gene and its role in the Rett syndrome
The Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurological disorder caused by mutations which occur in the gene MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein 2). This gene is located on the X chromosome, and the RTT affects only females – 1 every 10,000 – because the mutation of MECP2 in males is not viable. However, some isolated cases of boys […]
Synaptic metabolism course
A course about synaptic metabolism of the Recordati Rare Disease Foundation will be held in Barcelona, Spain, on November 16 – 18, 2017. Participants are expected to have prior knowledge about the field: practical experience with diagnosis treatment, and/or basic research is recommended. Participants are also expected to present a case report relevant to the theme […]

The gut-brain axis communication and its relationship with the neurological disorders
“We are what we eat”. These well-known words, widely used by nutritionists, date back to Ludwig Feuerbach, a German philosopher of XIX century that focused on the needs of the human body to be properly fed, in contrast with the dominant way of thinking of his age that gave priority to feed the souls. May […]


2nd Conference on Neurotransmitter Diseases
Next 25th March 2017, “DeNeu“, the Spanish association of neurotransmitter defects, organizes a meeting in Barcelona (see the program here) that will bring together families, medical doctors and researchers. Neurotransmitter disorders are rare diseases that affect brain functioning due to alterations in molecules such as dopamine, serotonin, GABA, glycine, glutamate, serine and others. Neurological symptoms due to these defects are diverse […]