Neurology
The Complex Operative Unit (C.O.U.) of Neurology provides inpatient and outpatient care for patients with common and rare diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. The unit places particular emphasis on epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, cerebrovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and headaches.
The C.O.U. of Neurology is part of the training network for the Neurology Residency Program at the University of Ferrara.
The Neurophysiology Service, affiliated with our C.O.U., performs a range of diagnostic tests, including EEG, Video-EEG/polysomnography, EMG, and Evoked Potentials, for both hospitalized and outpatient cases. The service’s physicians and technicians also provide intraoperative monitoring for neurosurgical, orthopedic, and sleep endoscopy procedures. Additionally, they conduct Video-EEG/polysomnographic monitoring to evaluate epilepsy and non-epileptic paroxysmal events, including seizure recording as part of the pre-surgical workup for drug-resistant epilepsy.
Afferente alla nostra UOC è il Servizio di Neurofisiopatologia ove vengono eseguiti EEG, Video-EEG/poligrafia, EMG e Potenziali Evocati per pazienti ricoverati e ambulatoriali. I medici e tecnici del servizio eseguono anche il monitoraggio intra-operatorio per interventi neurochirurgici, ortopedici e di sleep endoscopy, e monitoraggi Video-EEG/poligrafici per inquadramento epilessia/manifestazioni parossistiche non epilettiche (anche con registrazioni crisi epilettiche per iter pre-chirurgico epilessie farmacoresistenti).
The center provides clinical and care services for the study and treatment of epilepsy, offering outpatient care through the "Epilepsy" clinic and the "Rare and Complex Epilepsies" clinic, as well as Day-Service programs. It manages 1,500 patients with epilepsy. Hospitalized patients are treated when emergency or elective care is required for diagnostic evaluations, differential diagnosis of epilepsy (e.g., psychogenic non-epileptic paroxysmal events, sleep disorders, movement disorders, syncope), or Video-EEG monitoring to assess eligibility for epilepsy surgery. Since October 2022, the center has been equipped with a bed featuring the NIHON KODEN Video-EEG monitoring system, donated by the Amicamente – Odv association, within a dedicated area of the C.O.U. of Neurology. This area includes an acquisition room and a recording room.
In 2023, the Epilepsy Center joined the National Virtual Institutes Network for Epilepsy (RIN) as part of the IRCCS network for Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation.
Furthermore, based on Resolution No. 1757 of November 30, 2023, by the Puglia Region, the center is recognized as part of the national network for rare diseases for the following rare and complex epilepsies: Rett Syndrome, Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, West Syndrome, Lissencephaly, Holoprosencephaly, Tuberous Sclerosis, Sturge-Weber Syndrome, and Syndromes associated with chromosomal and genomic unbalanced structural rearrangements (Duplication/Deficiency Syndromes).
The center’s clinical expertise is presented at national and international conferences through oral presentations and posters and is published in scientific journals of international repute.
The center is also participating in the PNRR-MR1-2022-12376430 - Drug Discovery and Repurposing to Find a Treatment for Lafora Disease (DEFEAT-LD).
The following diagnostic and therapeutic pathways are currently active:
- Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Comprehensive assessment of pharmacoresistance and electro-clinical evaluation through prolonged seizure monitoring using Video-EEG/polysomnography with a NIHON KODEN Video-EEG station. Monitoring is conducted 24/7 over several days, with the ability to store long-term data for up to 14 consecutive days. The evaluation of pharmacoresistance, including for potential surgical intervention, is supported by non-invasive diagnostic tools such as 3-Tesla brain MRI, neuropsychological assessments, and cerebral PET scans. Collaborative efforts include partnerships with the Epilepsy Surgery Center at Niguarda Hospital in Milan for epilepsy surgery, the Neurosurgery Unit (C.O.U.) in S. Giovanni Rotondo for surgical procedures and vagus nerve stimulator implantation, and the Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition Unit in S. Giovanni Rotondo for ketogenic diet therapy.
- Epilepsy Genetics and Rare Epilepsies: Clinical-instrumental assessment and comprehensive management of patients with rare and complex epilepsies, as well as genetic epilepsies, delivered through a multidisciplinary approach. The center collaborates with the Medical Genetics Unit in S. Giovanni Rotondo to conduct genomic characterization using advanced technologies such as SNP/Array-CGH and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
- Clinical Trials for Anti-Seizure Medications: The center is actively involved in research and clinical trials aimed at evaluating the efficacy of new anti-epileptic drugs.
Referring Physicians: Dr. Giuseppe d’Orsi (Director), Dr. Maria Rachele Bianchi
Contact Information: Phone: 3666516122 (WhatsApp available)
e-mail: centroepilessia@operapadrepio.it
The center provides care for approximately 350 patients from various regions, supported by a dedicated team of physicians and nurses. For patients with suspected multiple sclerosis, a Day Service (DS) is arranged, offering (as needed): consultations, blood tests, evoked potentials, lumbar punctures, MRI scans, and multidisciplinary and neuropsychological evaluations. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, patients are revisited in outpatient clinics to communicate the diagnosis and propose a therapeutic plan. Cortisone infusions, biological therapies, and monitoring of initial treatments are carried out within the DS facilities. The center also organizes support group meetings led by psychologist Dr. Prencipe to provide emotional and practical support to patients and their families throughout the course of the disease (the “Margherita” group).
Referring Physician: Dr. Paola Crociani
Contact Information: Phone: 0882 410642 (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
The Neurology Complex Operative Unit (C.O.U.) has established an intra-hospital “STROKE” registry and collaborates with national registries SITS-ISTR and SITS-MOST as well as the international project THE ANGELS INITIATIVE under the European Stroke Initiative. In its outpatient services, the Neurology C.O.U., in collaboration with the Cardiology C.O.U., has developed a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to the clinical and diagnostic management of patients with cerebrovascular diseases. Diagnostic evaluations include neurosonological examinations such as extracranial Doppler (ECD) of supra-aortic trunks, transcranial Doppler (TCD), and echocardiography.
Referring Physicians: Dr. Vincenzo Inchingolo (Director), Dr. Giovanni Fratta, Dr. Lucia Florio
Contact Information: v.inchingolo@operapadrepio.it
The Neurology Complex Operative Unit (C.O.U.) specializes in primary neurodegenerative dementias (Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia) and secondary dementias (vascular dementia).
The clinical-diagnostic-therapeutic pathway includes the following stages:
- Memory Disorders Clinic
- PCA 91 Day-Service Admissions
- Day-Hospital Admissions
- Standard Hospitalization in the Neurology C.O.U.
Services include:
- Neuropsychological evaluation using calibrated and standardized tests to pinpoint affected areas and monitor disease progression in collaboration with the Clinical Psychology Service.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis to detect beta-amyloid, Tau, and p-Tau proteins, conducted in collaboration with the Clinical Analysis Laboratory.
- Brain MRI with hippocampal volumetric analysis, carried out in partnership with the Neuroradiology Department.
- FDG-PET and 18F-Flutemetamol imaging, in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine.
- Genetic testing for identifying both sporadic and familial forms of dementia.
The diagnostic process is integrated with a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach, encompassing pharmacological treatments, nutritional counseling, and neuropsychological rehabilitation.
The Neurology C.O.U. is actively involved in research, collaborating with Medical Genetics, Geriatrics, Neuroradiology, and Nuclear Medicine departments within the hospital, as well as the University of Ferrara and the IRCCS Fatebenefratelli in Brescia.
Referring Physician: Dr. Raffaela Rita Latino
Contact Information: Phone: 0882410642 (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
The Neurology C.O.U. is officially recognized as part of the National Network for Rare Diseases, based on Resolution No. 1757 of November 30, 2023, by the Puglia Region, for the following conditions: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Primary Lateral Sclerosis; Neurofibromatosis, CADASIL, Rett Syndrome, Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, West Syndrome, Lissencephaly, Holoprosencephaly, Tuberous Sclerosis, Sturge-Weber Syndrome, and syndromes associated with unbalanced chromosomal and genomic structural rearrangements (duplication/deficiency syndromes); Idiopathic Torsion Dystonia; Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP); Multifocal Motor Neuropathy, Lewis-Sumner Syndrome, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome; Spinocerebellar Ataxias; Spinal Muscular Atrophies, Hereditary Neuropathies, Muscular Dystrophies, and Myotonic Dystrophies; Congenital and Autoimmune Myasthenic Syndromes; Arnold-Chiari Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Coffin-Siris Syndrome, Cri du Chat Syndrome, Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome, Borjeson Syndrome, Kabuki Syndrome, Noonan Syndrome, Seckel Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, and Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome.
Two specialized outpatient clinics for rare neurological diseases are operated in collaboration with the hospital’s rare disease office.
Referring Physicians: Dr. Luigi Amoruso
Contact Information: l.amoruso@operapadrepio.it
- Neuroimmunology - Myasthenia Gravis: Dr. Paolo Alboini
Contact Information: Phone: 0882410642 (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
e-mail: neuroimmunologia@operapadrepio.it
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Dr. Lucia Florio
Contact Information: Phone: 0882410642 (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
- Movement Disorders: Dedicated clinic offering advanced therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease, including Duodopa infusion. Dr. Danilo Fogli (director), Dr. Giuseppe Gorgoglione.
Contact Information: d.fogli@operapadrepio.it
- Headache Clinic: Dr. Antonio Santoro; Dr Santina Gianfelice, Dr. Giuseppe Gorgoglione
- General Neurology: Dr.ssa Santina Gianfelice, Dr. Giuseppe Gorgoglione
The clinic manages conditions for which botulinum toxin is the first-line treatment, including: Strabismus, Dystonias, Blepharospasm, Hemifacial spasm, Cervical dystonia (torticollis), Spasticity secondary to stroke or other neurological conditions, Chronic migraine. Other applications include: Excessive salivation (sialorrhea), Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), Specific chronic pain conditions, Bruxism, Anal fissures. Botulinum toxin therapy offers effects that last several months, requiring periodic treatments. A thorough neurological evaluation is essential to determine the suitability of this therapy.
The clinic has also been organizing an annual conference titled “Current Therapeutic Advances in Botulinum Toxin” for several years. This event, featuring leading national and international experts, aims to provide comprehensive updates on fundamental mechanisms, injection techniques, and therapeutic applications of botulinum toxin for both established and emerging indications.
Referring Physician: Dr. Antonio Santoro
Contact Information: Phone: 0882 416457 (Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
e-mail: antonio.santoro@operapadrepio.it
Clinical Studies
The Neurology C.O.U. actively participates in multicenter clinical trials focused on epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, ALS, cerebrovascular diseases, and headache management.
Head of Operative Unit:
Dr. Giuseppe d'Orsi
Dipartimento Emergenza Urgenza
Emergency and Critical Care Department
S.O.U. General Neurology S.O.U. Cerebrovascular Unit
Doctors
Dr. Crociani Paola
Dr. Fogli Danilo
Dr. Santoro Antonio
Dr.ssa Latino Raffaella Rita
Dr.ssa Bianchi Maria Rachele D
Dr. Fratta Giovanni Matteo
Dr. Gorgoglione Giuseppe
Dr. Alboini Paolo Emilio
Dr.ssa Florio Lucia