Teresa Fiorilla
Papers
1
Total Citations
22
H-Index
1
About
Teresa Fiorilla is a neuroscientist whose research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying disorders of consciousness (DOC) and the potential for rehabilitation to drive neural plasticity. Her most cited work, a 2020 study published in *Behavioural Neurology*, investigates serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)—a key neurotrophin involved in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity—in patients with severe DOC caused by acute brain injuries. This landmark paper, with 22 citations, demonstrated that BDNF levels are significantly reduced in these patients and, notably, are not modified by verticalization with robot-assisted lower-limb training. This finding challenges assumptions about the plasticity-inducing effects of passive rehabilitation in severely impaired populations, suggesting that more active or cognitively engaging interventions may be necessary. Fiorilla’s work bridges clinical neurology and molecular neuroscience, offering critical insights into the biological barriers to recovery in DOC. Her research has implications for designing targeted rehabilitative strategies that might better stimulate endogenous neurotrophic support, making her a valuable contributor to the field of consciousness recovery and neurorehabilitation.
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