Date: March 2024
Place: Amplifier Berlin
Reflection on the learning and competencies: Attended a training session on fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy), an innovative neuroimaging technique. The workshop deepened my understanding of data acquisition and analysis using fNIRS, which is essential for ongoing and future projects in our lab.
Hello! I’m Francesco, a PhD candidate and researcher at the NeuroADaS Lab (UOC), where I investigate the effects of music on cognitive functions in people with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and Mild Cognitive Impairment (DCL). My research aims to understand how different types of musical stimulation influence cognitive performance and mood, with the goal of identifying innovative strategies to improve quality of life in clinical populations.
As part of a collaboration between UOC and Brain360, a mental health institute in Barcelona specializing in neuroscience, well-being, and treatment, I am also involved in neuromodulation research. At Brain360, we use advanced techniques like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to modulate brain activity, with the goal of developing innovative therapeutic applications.
Furthermore, I am passionate about the relationship between nutrition and mental health, a field I explore through my personal project Terapia Mediterránea. By promoting healthy and sustainable eating practices, I aim to raise awareness about how dietary habits impact brain function and structure, as well as overall psychological well-being.
My interdisciplinary approach combines cognitive neuroscience, neuromodulation, and nutritional science to develop comprehensive strategies for enhancing brain health. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss my research or potential collaborations!
Date: September 28, 2024
Place: Vil·la Urània, Barcelona
Reflection on the activity: In this workshop, co-hosted with Ana Hernández Sauret, we introduced participants to the fascinating world of fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy),…
Date: December 1, 2024
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Rights Access: Open Access
DOI: 10.1002/alz.092396
Place: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona
Reflection on the activity: Participated as a co-author in the research paper titled “Semantic Control Across Different Phenotypes of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Cognitive Study”….
Date: November 22, 2024; March 21, 2025
Place: Mediterranean Food Studies, Torribera Mediterranean Center, Universitat de Barcelona
Reflection on the activity: This lecture focused on the psychological benefits of the Mediterranean diet,…
The main goal of the doctoral thesis is to investigate the optimal conditions under which background music can enhance cognition in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Specifically, the project focuses on attentional functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease and learning new information in patients with episodic memory deficits (Mild Cognitive Impairment –…
Date: September 18-21, 2024
Place: Berlin, Germany
Reflection on the activity: Delivered a talk presenting the preliminary results of the project. The presentation was well-received, and it was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with professionals working at the intersection of music,…
Date: September 24, 2024
Place: Casa Golferichs, Barcelona
Reflection on the activity: This workshop explored the impact of diet on mental health, highlighting how dietary habits can influence cognitive and emotional well-being….
Este es un espacio de trabajo personal de un/a estudiante de la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Cualquier contenido publicado en este espacio es responsabilidad de su autor/a.
