Cristina Boccagni
Papers
2
Total Citations
35
H-Index
2
About
Cristina Boccagni’s research lies at the intersection of neurorehabilitation and translational neuroscience, with a focus on severe disorders of consciousness (DOC) and robotic-assisted motor recovery. Her most cited work, a 2020 study on serum BDNF levels in DOC patients, revealed that this key neurotrophin—critical for neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity—is significantly reduced in these individuals and remains unaltered by verticalization with robot-assisted lower-limb training. This finding (22 citations) challenges assumptions about activity-dependent plasticity in severe brain injury and opens new questions about the biological substrates of consciousness. Earlier, Boccagni contributed a novel robotic platform for gait rehabilitation in bedridden stroke patients (2009, 13 citations), addressing a critical gap in early mobilization technology. Her work bridges clinical neurology and biomedical engineering, demonstrating how robotic systems can be tailored to the most impaired populations. By combining biomarker analysis with innovative rehabilitation tools, Boccagni has advanced understanding of the neurobiological limits and possibilities of recovery in patients with devastating brain injuries—a field where measurable progress remains both urgent and elusive.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2A new robotic platform for gait rehabilitation of bedridden stroke patients13 citations · 2009