3. Marco Pagani

Marco Pagani

Post Doc
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Research Lines

Functional Neuroimaging

Center

cncs-unitn

Contacts

Palazzo Fedrigotti, Corso Bettini 31

About

Personal Statement

I am a Postdoctoral Fellow within the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory coordinated by Alessandro Gozzi at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT). My main research interest is the investigation of neuro-functional alterations of brain circuits in autism spectrum disorder. Multiple genes have been associated to increased autism risk and the main goal of my current research is to assess the contribution of single genes and copy number variants in the generation of large-scale connectivity disruptions observed in the autistic brain.

To address this problem, as part of a SFARI-funded project, I have applied advanced functional and structural MRI methods to map the effect of specific mutations on the mouse brain architecture. This approach has allowed me to identify disrupted long-range prefrontal connectivity in Shank3B and 16p11.2 mouse mutants, and increased auditory-hippocampal synchronization in Chd8 deletion mice.

This recent research represents an extension of a line of investigation I started during my PhD training, during which I successfully back-translated an extensive set of morpho-anatomical MRI methods widely used in humans (including voxel and tensor based morphometry, cortical thickness and shape measurements) to mouse brain imaging. Through the application of these techniques, my research provided the first demonstration of the use of structural connectivity MRI in small rodents, leading to the identification of specific gray matter networks recapitulating the functional organization of the human brain.

 

Job Experience

2016-ongoing: Postdoctoral research fellow at the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto (TN) within a project aimed at mapping putative large scale brain network dysfunctions associated to autism-causing genetic mutations.

2013-2016: Doctoral researcher at the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto (TN). My research project focussed on the development and application of image processing tools to structural MRI data to map large scale gray-matter volumes and covariance networks in the mouse brain.

2010-2013: Junior researcher at the Coma Research Centre coordinated by the Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit of the Neurological Institute Carlo Besta IRCCS Foundation, Milan (MI). My research focused on studying the disability of patients in vegetative and minimally conscious state and the quality of life of their caregivers.

2010: Research assistant at the Biosignal Analysis Centre of Experimental Neurology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (MI). My research focused on bridging neuropsychological assessment and diffusion weighted imaging data in patients with multiple sclerosis.

 

Other Activities

2015-2016: Collaborator of the start-up R.A.W Ltd in a project aimed to provide neurosurgeons with 3d reconstruction of segmented MRI brain images for tumour surgery.

2013-2017: Collaborator as exam committee member in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology at eCampus University in Novedrate (CO).

 

Academic Education

2013-2016: PhD in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Center for Mind and Brain Sciences, University of Trento (TN) with a scholarship awarded by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. 

2012-2013: MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan (MI), awarded with full marks.

2008-2009: MSc in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience at Goldsmiths College - University of London (UK), achieved with distinction.

2004-2007: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan (MI), awarded with full marks.

Projects

2016-ongoing: Collaborator within the project "Neurobiological basis of connectivity alterations in autism" supported by SFARI Foundation.

2013-2016:  Phd scholarship “Investigating the mouse brain connectome with MRI” awarded by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.

2010-2013: Collaborator within the project "Start-up Coma Research Center" supported by Regione Lombardia.

Selected Publications

Bertero A*, Liska A*, Pagani M*, Parolisi R, Masferrer ME, Gritti M, Pedrazzoli M, Galbusera A, Sarica A, Cerasa A, Buffelli M, Tonini R, Buffo A, Gross C, Pasqualetti M, Gozzi A (2018) Autism-associated 16p11.2 microdeletion impairs prefrontal functional connectivity in mouse and human. Brain [Epub ahead of print].

Suetterlin P, Hurley S, Mohan C, Riegman K, Pagani M, Caruso A, Ellegood J, Galbusera A, Crespo-Enriquez I, Michetti C, Ellingford R, Brock O, Delogu A, Francis-West F, Lerch J, Scattoni ML, Gozzi A, Fernandes C, Basson A (2017). Early postnatal brain overgrowth and gene expression changes prefigure functional over-connectivity of the cortex in Chd8 haploinsufficient mice. Cereb Cortex [Epub ahead of print].

Michetti C, Caruso A, Pagani M, Sabbioni M, Medrihan L, David G, Galbusera A, Morini M, Gozzi A, Benfenati F and Scattoni ML (2017). The knockout of Synapsyn II in mice impairs social behavior and functional connectivity generating an ASD-like phenotype. Cereb Cortex, 27:5014-23.

Pagani M, Bifone A, Gozzi A (2016). Networks of anatomical covariance in the mouse brain. NeuroImage, 129:55-63.

Pagani M, Damiano M, Galbusera A, Tsaftaris SA, Gozzi A (2016). Semi-automated registration-based volumetric labelling, voxel based morphometry and cortical thickness mapping of the mouse brain. J Neurosci Meth, 267:62-73.

IIT Publications

  • 2018
  • Sattin D., Schnakers C., Pagani M., Arenare F., Devalle G., Giunco F., Guizzetti G., Lanfranchi M., Giovannetti A.M., Covelli V., Bersano A., Nigri A., Minati L., Rossi Sebastiano D., Parati E., Bruzzone M., Franceschetti S., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    Evidence of altered pressure pain thresholds in persons with disorders of consciousness as measured by the Nociception Coma Scale–Italian version

    Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, vol. 28, (no. 8), pp. 1295-1310
  • 2017
  • Pagani M.iit, Galbusera A.iit, Gozzi A.iit

    Aberrant striatal anatomy and gray matter connectivity networks in mice lacking autism-associated gene CNTNAP2

    Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM),Honolulu
  • Sannino S.iit, Padula M.C., Manago' F.iit, Schaer M., Schneider M., Armando M., Scariati E., SloanBena F., Mereu M.iit, Pontillo M., Vicari S., Contarini G., Chiabrera C.iit, Pagani M.iit, Gozzi A.iit, Eliez S., Papaleo F.iit
    DOI

    Adolescence is the starting point of sex-dichotomous COMT genetic effects

    Translational Psychiatry, vol. 7, (no. 5), pp. e1141
  • Pagani M.iit, Robol C.iit, Gomolka R.iit, Liska A.iit, Galbusera A.iit, Aksiuto A.iit, Gozzi A.iit

    Altered default mode network organization and functional connectivity in mice lacking autism-associated gene Shank3

    Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM),Honolulu
  • Pagani M.iit, Bertero A., Sabbioni M., Robol C., Gomolka R., Liska A., Galbusera A.iit, Aksiuto A., Scattoni M. L., Pasqualetti M., Gozzi A.iit

    Altered prefrontal anatomy and functional connectivity in mice lacking autism- associated gene Shank3

    Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2017
  • Pagani M.iit

    Gray matter covariance networks in the mouse brain

    PhD Thesis
  • Pagani M.iit, Pucilowska J., Robol C., Vithayathil J., Kelly C., Karlo J. C., Brambilla R., Landreth G. E., Gozzi A.iit

    Pharmacological Inhibition of ERK Pathway Rescues Morpho-Anatomical Aberrancies Associated with 16p11.2 Chromosomal Deletion

    Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM),Honolulu
  • Michetti C.iit, Caruso A., Pagani M.iit, Sabbioni M., Medrihan L.iit, David G.iit, Galbusera A.iit, Morini M.iit, Gozzi A.iit, Benfenati F.iit, Scattoni M.L.
    DOI

    The Knockout of Synapsin II in Mice Impairs Social Behavior and Functional Connectivity Generating an ASD-like Phenotype

    Cerebral Cortex, vol. 27, (no. 10), pp. 5014-5023
  • 2016
  • Pagani M.iit, Damiano M., Galbusera A.iit, Tsaftaris S. A., Gozzi A.iit

    An automated pipeline for mouse brain morphometric MRI

    Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Singapore
  • Bertero A., Pagani M.iit, David G., Liska A., Galbusera A.iit, Pasqualetti M., Gozzi A.iit

    Default‐mode network hypoconnectivity in a mouse model of human chromosome 16p11.2 microdeletion

    Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Singapore
  • Lassi G.iit, Priano L., Maggi S.iit, Garcia-Garcia C.iit, Balzani E.iit, El-Assawy N., Pagani M.iit, Tinarelli F.iit, Giardino D., Mauro A., Peters J., Gozzi A.iit, Grugni G., Tucci V.iit
    DOI

    Deletion of the Snor D116/S no RD116 alters sleep in mice and patients with Prader-Willi syndrome

    Sleep, vol. 39, (no. 3), pp. 637-644
  • Nasseef T.iit, Liska A.iit, Gutierrez-Barragan D.iit, Pagani M.iit, Panzeri S.iit, Gozzi A.iit

    Directed information flow in fMRI connectivity networks

    ISMRM Italian Chapter
  • Pesoli M., Cutuli D., Pagani M.iit, Caporali P., Galbusera A.iit, Laricchiuta D., Foti F., Neri C., Spalletta G., Caltagirone C., Petrosini L., Gozzi A.iit

    Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cognitive functions and neural substrates: a voxel-based morphometry study in aged mice

    10th FENS Forum of Neuroscience 2016
  • Cutuli D., Pagani M.iit, Caporali P., Galbusera A.iit, Laricchiuta D., Foti F., Neri C., Spalletta G., Caltagirone C., Petrosini L., Gozzi A.iit
    DOI

    Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cognitive functions and neural substrates: A voxel-based morphometry study in aged mice

    Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, vol. 8, (no. MAR)
  • Pagani M.iit, Bifone A.iit, Gozzi A.iit

    Gray matter networks in the mouse brain

    Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Singapore
  • Pagani M.iit, Damiano M.iit, Galbusera A.iit, Tsaftaris S.A., Gozzi A.iit
    DOI

    Semi-automated registration-based anatomical labelling, voxel based morphometry and cortical thickness mapping of the mouse brain

    Journal of Neuroscience Methods, vol. 267, pp. 62-73
  • Pagani M.iit, Bifone A.iit, Gozzi A.iit
    DOI

    Structural covariance networks in the mouse brain

    NeuroImage, vol. 129, pp. 55-63
  • 2015
  • Michetti C., Morini M., Caruso A., Sabbioni M., Pagani M.iit, Gergely D., Blesa M., Gozzi A.iit, Benfenati F.iit, Scattoni M.L.

    Behavioural and neuroanatomical characterisation of synapsin-II mouse.

    65esimo Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia
  • Pagani M.iit, Bifone A.iit, Gozzi A.iit

    Networks of anatomical covariance of the mouse brain

    European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology
  • Pagani M.iit, Cutuli D., Liska A., Caporali P., Laricchiuta D., Foti F., Neri C., Petrosini L., Gozzi A.iit

    Neural and cognitive substrates of omega-3 supplementation: a VBM study in aged mice.

    ISMRM Italian Chapter
  • 2014
  • Pagani M., Giovannetti A.M., Covelli V., Sattin D., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    Caregiving for patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states: Perceived burden as a mediator in caregivers' expression of needs and symptoms of depression and anxiety

    Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, vol. 21, (no. 3), pp. 214-222
  • Sattin D., Covelli V., Pagani M., Giovannetti A.M., Raggi A., Meucci P., Cerniauskaite M., Quintas R., Schiavolin S., Leonardi M.

    Do diagnostic differences between vegetative state and minimally conscious state patients correspond to differences in functioning and disability profiles? Results from an observational multi-center study on patients with DOC

    European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 50, (no. 3), pp. 309-321
  • Pagani M., Giovannetti A.M., Covelli V., Sattin D., Raggi A., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    Physical and mental health, anxiety and depressive symptoms in caregivers of patients in vegetative state and minimally conscious state

    Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, vol. 21, (no. 5), pp. 420-426
  • Schiavolin S., Quintas R., Pagani M., Brock S., Acerbi F., Visintini S., Cusin A., Schiariti M., Broggi M., Ferroli P., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    Quality of life, disability, well-being, and coping strategies in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures: Preoperative results in an Italian sample

    The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2014
  • Pagani M., Leonardi M., Covelli V., Giovannetti A.M., Sattin D.
    DOI

    Risk factors for mortality in 600 patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states

    Journal of Neurology, vol. 261, (no. 6), pp. 1144-1152
  • Raggi A., Covelli V., Pagani M., Meucci P., Martinuzzi A., Buffoni M., Russo E., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    Sociodemographic features and diagnoses as predictors of severe disability in a sample of adults applying for disability certification

    International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, vol. 37, (no. 2), pp. 180-186
  • 2013
  • Giovannetti A.M., Leonardi M., Pagani M., Sattin D., Raggi A.
    DOI

    Burden of caregivers of patients in Vegetative State and Minimally Conscious State

    Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, vol. 127, (no. 1), pp. 10-18
  • Leonardi M., Pagani M., Giovannetti A.M., Raggi A., Sattin D.
    DOI

    Burnout in healthcare professionals working with patients with disorders of consciousness

    Work, vol. 45, (no. 3), pp. 349-356
  • Sattin D., Pagani M., Covelli V., Giovannetti A.M., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    The Italian version of the Nociception Coma Scale

    International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, vol. 36, (no. 2), pp. 182-186
  • 2012
  • Leonardi M., Giovannetti A.M., Pagani M., Raggi A., Sattin D.
    DOI

    Burden and needs of 487 caregivers of patients in vegetative state and in minimally conscious state: Results from a national study

    Brain Injury, vol. 26, (no. 10), pp. 1201-1210
  • Giovannetti A.M., Pagani M., Sattin D., Covelli V., Raggi A., Strazzer S., Castelli E., Trabacca A., Martinuzzi A., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    Children in vegetative state and minimally conscious state: Patients' condition and caregivers' burden

    The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2012
  • Leonardi M., Sattin D., Giovannetti A.M., Pagani M., Strazzer S., Villa F., Martinuzzi A., Buffoni M., Castelli E., Lispi M.L., Trabacca A., Gennaro L., Raggi A.
    DOI

    Functioning and disability of children and adolescents in a vegetative state and a minimally conscious state: Identification of ICF-CY-relevant categories

    International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, vol. 35, (no. 4), pp. 352-359
  • Quintas R., Raggi A., Giovannetti A.M., Pagani M., Sabariego C., Cieza A., Leonardi M.
    DOI

    Psychosocial difficulties in people with epilepsy: A systematic review of literature from 2005 until 2010

    Epilepsy and Behavior, vol. 25, (no. 1), pp. 60-67
  • Leonardi M., Raggi A., Pagani M., Carella F., Soliveri P., Albanese A., Romito L.
    DOI

    Relationships between disability, quality of life and prevalence of nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease

    Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, vol. 18, (no. 1), pp. 35-39
  • Alvarez A.S., Pagani M., Meucci P.
    DOI

    The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model in mental health: A research critique

    American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 91, (no. 13 SUPPL.1)

Awards

2016: Magna cum laude for the poster “Pagani M, Bifone A, Gozzi A. Gray matter networks of the mouse brain.” at ISMRM in Singapore.

2016: Magna cum laude for the poster “Pagani M, Damiano M, Galbusera A, Tsaftaris SA, Gozzi A. An automated pipeline for mouse brain morphometric MRI.” at ISMRM in Singapore.