I am a physician-scientist specializing in Population Neuroscience of Aging. I am especially interested in the neurobiological drivers of successful aging.
Why am I excited about brain aging? Although older age is typically associated with a seemingly inevitable performance decline, we have evidence that some older adults appear resistant and resilient to the effect of aging. Based on our discoveries, we believe that there are distinct neurobiological characteristics that can explain why some people age better than others and why some people respond to treatment better than others. We also believe that enhancing these neurobiological drivers of resilience can enhance function.
Why population neuroscience? The combination of neuroscience and population science is critical to capture the complex relationships between the heterogeneity of the individuals on the manifestations of the disease. Our work leverages the most recent methodologies of CNS assessment to “virtually” dissect the brain in vivo using very powerful and novel magnet resonance imaging. Our research inquiries are conducted in the context of carefully designed epidemiological studies.
What did we discover? We find that the “neurobiological drivers of resilience” appear related to microstructural integrity of brain connections, small vessel and dopaminergic signaling.
Why is this important? These findings are very important, because such resilience factors are modifiable. For example, we have shown that lower and stable levels of inflammatory markers and blood pressure are critically important for preservation of brain integrity in older age.
Questions? Information on our work and that of our trainees can be found at https://www.ebrain.pitt.edu. You can also reach me @crosanoeBrain or https://pitt.zoom.us/j/4127593572
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Undergraduate |
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1983-1989 |
Scientific Lycee, B. Croce, Palermo, Italy
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B.S. |
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1989-1995 |
University of Palermo Medical School, Palermo, Italy |
M.D. |
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Post-Graduate |
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1995 |
University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL |
Foreign Exchange Program |
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Lois Pope Foundation; Neuroregenerative potential of white matter |
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1996 |
Policlinico, University of Palermo Medical School, Palermo, Italy |
Internship |
Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine |
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2001- 2003 |
Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA |
M.P.H. |
Anne B. Newman, M.D., M.P.H Epidemiology of Aging
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2002 |
Alzheimer Disease Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA |
Mini residency |
Steven T. DeKosky, M.D Department of Neurology |
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2001-2004 |
Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA |
Trainee for the Aging Training Program |
Epidemiology of Aging Design and analysis of structural and functional brain imaging studies in large epidemiologic populations. PI: A B. Newman |
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2010 |
Institute for Clinical Research and Education,University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA |
Trainee |
Mentor Training Program PI: B. Rollman and W. Kapoor |
MDPhD Director for the Department of Epidemiology
Courses:
EPI2019. Introduction to Multimodal Neuroimaging, SPRING
EPI 2012 - Writing in Population Neuroscience, SUMMER
