Marco Pagani
Researcher
Marie Curie Global Research Fellow

About
Short Bio
Marco Pagani is a Marie Curie Global Research Fellow at the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italy) and at the Autism Center of Child Mind Institute (New York).
His main research interest is to use magnetic resonance imaging and advanced computational methods to study the architecture of the rodent and human brain and its alterations in pathological states. By adopting translationally-relevant functional measurements, Dr. Pagani has identified network-level alterations associated to genetic causes of autism spectrum disorder in multiple mouse models. Building upon his expertise in neuroimaging, computer science and statistics, his current research aims to develop novel cross-species approaches to decompose the multilevel heterogeneity of autism into neuro-functional subtypes. During his doctoral training, he has also pioneered the use of structural covariance in small rodents leading to the identification of gray matter networks recapitulating the organization of the human brain.
Marco Pagani is author and co-author of over 30 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Brain, Journal of Neuroscience, NeuroImage and Science Advances. He has been also selected to present at Italian, US and international scientific conferences. His current research is founded by a competitive European Union grant scheme for young researchers.
Experience
2020-2023: Marie Curie Global Fellow at the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto (TN) and at the Autism Center, Child Mind Institute (Manhattan, NYC).
2016-2020: 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.
Interests
translational imaging brain connectivity statistics autismProjects
2020-2023: "CANSAS - Clustering functional connectivity alterations in Autism Spectrum Disorder" awared by European Union. Role: Coordinator.
2016-2020: "Neurobiological basis of connectivity alterations in autism" supported by SFARI Foundation. Role: Post-doctoral Research Fellow.
2013-2016: Phd scholarship “Investigating the mouse brain connectome with MRI” awarded by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. Role: PhD student.
2010-2013: "Start-up Coma Research Center" supported by Regione Lombardia. Role: Pre-doctoral researcher.
Selected Publications
Pagani M, Bertero A, Trakoshis S, Ulysse L, Locarno A, Miseviciute I, De Felice A, Canella C, Supekar K, Galbusera A, Menon V, Tonini R, Deco G, Lombardo MV, Pasqualetti M, Gozzi A (2020). A cross‐species link between mTOR‐related synaptic pathology and functional hyperconnectivity in autism, biorchive.
Pagani M, Bertero A, Liska A, Galbusera A, Sabbioni M, Barsotti N, Colenbier N, Marinazzo D, Scattoni ML, Pasqualetti M, Gozzi A (2019). Deletion of autism risk gene Shank3 disrupts prefrontal connectivity, Journal of Neuroscience. 39:5299-5310.
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, 141:2055-2065..
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
- 2020
-
DOI
Accelerating the Evolution of Nonhuman Primate Neuroimaging
Neuron, vol. 105, (no. 4), pp. 600-603 -
A cross-species link between deficient synaptic pruning and functional hyper-connectivity in autism
Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) -
A cross-species link between mTOR-dependent deficient synaptic pruning and functional hyper-connectivity in autism
INSAR -
A cross-species link between mTOR-dependent hyperactivity and functional over-connectivity in autism
OHBM ANNUAL MEETING -
DOI
Acute and Repeated Intranasal Oxytocin Differentially Modulate Brain-wide Functional Connectivity
Neuroscience, vol. 445, pp. 83-94 -
A Unified, End-to-End Pipeline Solution for Human and Nonhuman Functional Connectomics
OHBM ANNUAL MEETING -
Cortical silencing results in paradoxical fMRI over-connectivity
OHBM ANNUAL MEETING -
Network structure of the mouse brain connectome with voxel resolution
FENS -
Network structure of the mouse brain connectome with voxel resolution
OHBM ANNUAL MEETING - 2019
-
Acute and chronic intranasal oxytocin differentially affect brain functional connectivity
Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) -
Acute and repeated intranasal oxytocin differentially modulate brain-wide functional connectivity
Neuroscience -
A mechanistic link between deficient synaptic pruning and functional hyper-connectivity in autism
Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience -
A mechanistic link between deficient synaptic pruning and functional hyper-connectivity in autism
Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping -
DOI
Deletion of autism risk gene shank3 disrupts prefrontal connectivity
Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 39, (no. 27), pp. 5299-5310 -
Network structure of the mouse brain connectome with voxel resolution
SfN -
Network structure of the mouse brain connectome with voxel resolution
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), 27th meeting, 2019 - 2018
-
Acute and Chronic intranasal oxytocin differentially affect brain functional connectivity
10th FENS Forum of Neuroscience -
DOI
Altered neocortical gene expression, brain overgrowth and functional over-connectivity in chd8 haploinsufficient mice
Cerebral Cortex, vol. 28, (no. 6), pp. 2192-2206 -
Altered prefrontal functional connectivity and anatomy in mice lacking autism-associated gene Shank3
International Society for Autism Research -
Autism-associated 16p11.2 microdeletion impairs prefrontal functional connectivity in mouse and human
International Society for Autism Research -
DOI
Autism-associated 16p11.2 microdeletion impairs prefrontal functional connectivity in mouse and human
Brain, vol. 141, (no. 7), pp. 2055-2065 -
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 -
DOI
Pharmacological inhibition of ERK signaling rescues pathophysiology and behavioral phenotype associated with 16p11.2 chromosomal deletion in mice
Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 38, (no. 30), pp. 6640-6652 -
Testing functional and structural connectivity in CDKL5 disorder as novel biomarker
Annual Meeting for Society for Neuroscience -
The Autism Mouse Brain Connectome Project
Annual Meeting for Society for Neuroscience -
Unweaving the spectrum: altered functional connectivity and brain-wide neural dynamics in mouse models of syndromic autism
Gordon Research Conferences - 2017
-
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 -
DOI
Adolescence is the starting point of sex-dichotomous COMT genetic effects
Translational Psychiatry, vol. 7, (no. 5), pp. e1141 -
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 -
Altered prefrontal anatomy and functional connectivity in mice lacking autism- associated gene Shank3
Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience 2017 -
Gray matter covariance networks in the mouse brain
PhD Thesis -
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 -
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
-
An automated pipeline for mouse brain morphometric MRI
Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Singapore -
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 -
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 -
Directed information flow in fMRI connectivity networks
ISMRM Italian Chapter -
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 -
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) -
Gray matter networks in the mouse brain
Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Singapore -
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 -
DOI
Structural covariance networks in the mouse brain
NeuroImage, vol. 129, pp. 55-63 - 2015
-
Behavioural and neuroanatomical characterisation of synapsin-II mouse.
65esimo Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia -
Networks of anatomical covariance of the mouse brain
European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology -
Neural and cognitive substrates of omega-3 supplementation: a VBM study in aged mice.
ISMRM Italian Chapter - 2014
-
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
DOI
Risk factors for mortality in 600 patients in vegetative and minimally conscious states
Journal of Neurology, vol. 261, (no. 6), pp. 1144-1152 -
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
-
DOI
Burden of caregivers of patients in Vegetative State and Minimally Conscious State
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, vol. 127, (no. 1), pp. 10-18 -
DOI
Burnout in healthcare professionals working with patients with disorders of consciousness
Work, vol. 45, (no. 3), pp. 349-356 -
DOI
The Italian version of the Nociception Coma Scale
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, vol. 36, (no. 2), pp. 182-186 - 2012
-
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 -
DOI
Children in vegetative state and minimally conscious state: Patients' condition and caregivers' burden
The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2012 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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.