Federica Marchiotto

I have a master’s degree in Neuroscience, and I am extremely fascinated by functional neural networks, their alterations during the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and the possibility to non-invasively modulate them. 

I began to become attached to this topic during my MSc thesis with Prof. Luigi Cattaneo at CIMEC of Trento, Italy. The experiments consisted of the application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulation on the dorsal premotor and supplementary motor cortices of volunteers whilst they reproduced a previously heard rhythmic sequence. The aim was to study the role of these areas in the capability to replicate the musical sequence. Then, I enjoyed the Lab of Dr. Cambiaghi for my PhD. During the three years, I had the opportunity to apply transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) in young mice to study its effects on synaptic plasticity and functional M1-M1 connectivity when it is coupled with the physiological activation of the motor network. I learned to perform surgeries for tDCS electrode implantation, photothrombotic stroke induction, and local field potential (LFP) electrode implants. Moreover, I acquired the skills for Golgi-Cox techniques, immunofluorescence staining, electrophysiological recordings, and behavioral (cognitive, social and anxiety) and motor tests. During the last months of my PhD, I took the opportunity to learn long-term potentiation (LTP) electrophysiological implants in the Lab of Prof. Delgado, at the University Pablo De Olavide, in Seville, Spain. 

Currently, I am still working in the laboratory of Prof. as a post-doc, and I am working on a challenging project regarding the incidence of prenatal stress on the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease in the 3xTg-AD mouse model, focusing on Prefrontal cortex-dorsal Raphe network functionality during cognitive and social behavioral tests. 

I am passionate, highly motivated and interested in learning new approaches.