ORCID Profile
0000-0003-4949-856X
Current Organisations
IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele
,
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
,
Università Vita Salute San Raffaele
,
Ospedale San Raffaele
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-11-2021
Abstract: A quantitative analysis of the thermally induced degradation of various device‐relevant multi‐cation hybrid perovskite films is performed using spectroscopic ellipsometry, for temperatures between 80 and 120 °C. The studied compositions are a triple cation perovskite Cs 0.05 (MA 0.17 FA 0.83 ) 0.95 Pb(Br 0.17 I 0.83 ) 3 , a Rb‐containing variant Rb 0.05 Cs 0.05 (MA 0.17 FA 0.83 ) 0.90 Pb(Br 0.17 I 0.83 ) 3 , and a methylammonium‐free Rb 0.05 Cs 0.10 FA 0.85 PbI 3 composition. A very wide combined spectral range of 200 nm to 25 μm is covered by combining the data from two separate instruments. The relative changes in organic cation concentrations are quantified from the middle infrared molecular absorption bands, leveraging the use of point‐by‐point fitting for increased sensitivity. Additionally, the formation of PbI 2 and non‐perovskite δ‐CsPbI 3 phases is evidenced from Bruggemann effective medium fits to the visible and ultraviolet complex refractive indices. Methylammonium is almost completely depleted from the relevant compositions within 100 to 285 min of thermal annealing. The MA‐free perovskite degrades faster at intermediate temperatures, which is attributed to phase instability due to the formation of δ‐CsPbI 3 in addition to PbI 2 .
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 2021
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 08-01-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-04-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JSR.13347
Abstract: Neuroimaging and genetics studies have advanced our understanding of the neurobiology of sleep and its disorders. However, in idual studies usually have limitations to identifying consistent and reproducible effects, including modest s le sizes, heterogeneous clinical characteristics and varied methodologies. These issues call for a large‐scale multi‐centre effort in sleep research, in order to increase the number of s les, and harmonize the methods of data collection, preprocessing and analysis using pre‐registered well‐established protocols. The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta‐Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium provides a powerful collaborative framework for combining datasets across in idual sites. Recently, we have launched the ENIGMA‐Sleep working group with the collaboration of several institutes from 15 countries to perform large‐scale worldwide neuroimaging and genetics studies for better understanding the neurobiology of impaired sleep quality in population‐based healthy in iduals, the neural consequences of sleep deprivation, pathophysiology of sleep disorders, as well as neural correlates of sleep disturbances across various neuropsychiatric disorders. In this introductory review, we describe the details of our currently available datasets and our ongoing projects in the ENIGMA‐Sleep group, and discuss both the potential challenges and opportunities of a collaborative initiative in sleep medicine.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-11-2019
DOI: 10.1111/BDI.12847
Abstract: To systematically review the literature on the efficacy and tolerability of the major chronotherapeutic treatments of bipolar disorders (BD)-bright light therapy (LT), dark therapy (DT), treatments utilizing sleep deprivation (SD), melatonergic agonists (MA), interpersonal social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), and cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for BD (CBTI-BP)-and propose treatment recommendations based on a synthesis of the evidence. PRISMA-based systematic review of the literature. The acute antidepressant (AD) efficacy of LT was supported by several open-label studies, three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and one pseudorandomized controlled trial. SD showed rapid, acute AD response rates of 43.9%, 59.3%, and 59.4% in eight case series, 11 uncontrolled, studies, and one RCT, respectively. Adjunctive DT obtained significant, rapid anti-manic results in one RCT and one controlled study. The seven studies on MA yielded very limited data on acute antidepressant activity, conflicting evidence of both antimanic and maintenance efficacy, and support from two case series of improved sleep in both acute and euthymic states. IPSRT monotherapy for bipolar II depression had acute response rates of 41%, 67%, and 67.4% in two open studies and one RCT, respectively as adjunctive therapy for bipolar depression in one RCT, and efficacy in reducing relapse in two RCTs. Among euthymic BD subjects with insomnia, a single RCT found CBTI-BP effective in delaying manic relapse and improving sleep. Chronotherapies were generally safe and well-tolerated. The outcome literature on the adjunctive use of chronotherapeutic treatments for BP is variable, with evidence bases that differ in size, study quality, level of evidence, and non-standardized treatment protocols. Evidence-informed practice recommendations are offered.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1037/ABN0000738
Abstract: Brain structural abnormalities and low educational attainment are consistently associated with major depressive disorder (MDD), yet there has been little research investigating the complex interaction of these factors. Brain structural alterations may represent a vulnerability or differential susceptibility marker, and in the context of low educational attainment, predict MDD. We tested this moderation model in a large multisite s le of 1958 adults with MDD and 2921 controls (aged 18 to 86) from the ENIGMA MDD working group. Using generalized linear mixed models and within-s le split-half replication, we tested whether brain structure interacted with educational attainment to predict MDD status. Analyses revealed that cortical thickness in a number of occipital, parietal, and frontal regions significantly interacted with education to predict MDD. For the majority of regions, models suggested a differential susceptibility effect, whereby thicker cortex was more likely to predict MDD in in iduals with low educational attainment, but less likely to predict MDD in in iduals with high educational attainment. Findings suggest that greater thickness of brain regions subserving visuomotor and social-cognitive functions confers susceptibility to MDD, dependent on level of educational attainment. Longitudinal work, however, is ultimately needed to establish whether cortical thickness represents a preexisting susceptibility marker. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Date: 06-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-10-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41398-020-01013-Y
Abstract: No diagnostic biomarkers are available for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Here, we aimed to identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers for OCD, using 46 data sets with 2304 OCD patients and 2068 healthy controls from the ENIGMA consortium. We performed machine learning analysis of regional measures of cortical thickness, surface area and subcortical volume and tested classification performance using cross-validation. Classification performance for OCD vs. controls using the complete s le with different classifiers and cross-validation strategies was poor. When models were validated on data from other sites, model performance did not exceed chance-level. In contrast, fair classification performance was achieved when patients were grouped according to their medication status. These results indicate that medication use is associated with substantial differences in brain anatomy that are widely distributed, and indicate that clinical heterogeneity contributes to the poor performance of structural MRI as a disease marker.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-09-2019
DOI: 10.1038/S41386-019-0521-6
Abstract: An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Date: 2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-04-2021
DOI: 10.1038/S41380-021-01098-X
Abstract: In iduals with bipolar disorders (BD) frequently suffer from obesity, which is often associated with neurostructural alterations. Yet, the effects of obesity on brain structure in BD are under-researched. We obtained MRI-derived brain subcortical volumes and body mass index (BMI) from 1134 BD and 1601 control in iduals from 17 independent research sites within the ENIGMA-BD Working Group. We jointly modeled the effects of BD and BMI on subcortical volumes using mixed-effects modeling and tested for mediation of group differences by obesity using nonparametric bootstrapping. All models controlled for age, sex, hemisphere, total intracranial volume, and data collection site. Relative to controls, in iduals with BD had significantly higher BMI, larger lateral ventricular volume, and smaller volumes of amygdala, hippoc us, pallidum, caudate, and thalamus. BMI was positively associated with ventricular and amygdala and negatively with pallidal volumes. When analyzed jointly, both BD and BMI remained associated with volumes of lateral ventricles and amygdala. Adjusting for BMI decreased the BD vs control differences in ventricular volume. Specifically, 18.41% of the association between BD and ventricular volume was mediated by BMI ( Z = 2.73, p = 0.006). BMI was associated with similar regional brain volumes as BD, including lateral ventricles, amygdala, and pallidum. Higher BMI may in part account for larger ventricles, one of the most replicated findings in BD. Comorbidity with obesity could explain why neurostructural alterations are more pronounced in some in iduals with BD. Future prospective brain imaging studies should investigate whether obesity could be a modifiable risk factor for neuroprogression.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-10-2020
DOI: 10.1002/HBM.25249
Abstract: The hippoc us consists of anatomically and functionally distinct subfields that may be differentially involved in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD). Here we, the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta‐Analysis Bipolar Disorder workinggroup, study hippoc al subfield volumetry in BD. T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans from 4,698 in iduals (BD = 1,472, healthy controls [HC] = 3,226) from 23 sites worldwide were processed with FreeSurfer. We used linear mixed‐effects models and mega‐analysis to investigate differences in hippoc al subfield volumes between BD and HC, followed by analyses of clinical characteristics and medication use. BD showed significantly smaller volumes of the whole hippoc us (Cohen's d = −0.20), cornu ammonis (CA)1 ( d = −0.18), CA2/3 ( d = −0.11), CA4 ( d = −0.19), molecular layer ( d = −0.21), granule cell layer of dentate gyrus ( d = −0.21), hippoc al tail ( d = −0.10), subiculum ( d = −0.15), presubiculum ( d = −0.18), and hippoc al amygdala transition area ( d = −0.17) compared to HC. Lithium users did not show volume differences compared to HC, while non‐users did. Antipsychotics or antiepileptic use was associated with smaller volumes. In this largest study of hippoc al subfields in BD to date, we show widespread reductions in nine of 12 subfields studied. The associations were modulated by medication use and specifically the lack of differences between lithium users and HC supports a possible protective role of lithium in BD.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-08-2019
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 21-03-2022
DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2021.2013041
Abstract: The therapeutic use of nutrient-based 'nutraceuticals' and plant-based 'phytoceuticals' for the treatment of mental disorders is common however, despite recent research progress, there have not been any updated global clinical guidelines since 2015. To address this, the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Disorders (CANMAT) convened an international taskforce involving 31 leading academics and clinicians from 15 countries, between 2019 and 2021. These guidelines are aimed at providing a definitive evidence-informed approach to assist clinicians in making decisions around the use of such agents for major psychiatric disorders. We also provide detail on safety and tolerability, and clinical advice regarding prescription (e.g. indications, dosage), in addition to consideration for use in specialised populations. The methodology was based on the WFSBP guidelines development process. Evidence was assessed based on the WFSBP grading of evidence (and was modified to focus on Grade A level evidence - meta-analysis or two or more RCTs - due to the breadth of data available across all nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals across major psychiatric disorders). The taskforce assessed both the 'level of evidence' (LoE) (i.e. meta-analyses or RCTs) and the assessment of the direction of the evidence, to determine whether the intervention was 'Recommended' (+++), 'Provisionally Recommended' (++), 'Weakly Recommended' (+), 'Not Currently Recommended' (+/-), or 'Not Recommended' (-) for a particular condition. Due to the number of clinical trials now available in the field, we firstly examined the data from our two meta-reviews of meta-analyses (nutraceuticals conducted in 2019, and phytoceuticals in 2020). We then performed a search of additional relevant RCTs and reported on both these data as the primary drivers supporting our clinical recommendations. Lower levels of evidence, including isolated RCTs, open label studies, case studies, preclinical research, and interventions with only traditional or anecdotal use, were not assessed. Amongst nutraceuticals with Grade A evidence, positive directionality and varying levels of support ( recommended, provisionally recommended, or weakly recommended) was found for adjunctive omega-3 fatty acids (+++), vitamin D (+), adjunctive probiotics (++), adjunctive zinc (++), methylfolate (+), and adjunctive s-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) (+) in the treatment of unipolar depression. Monotherapy omega-3 (+/-), folic acid (-), vitamin C (-), tryptophan (+/-), creatine (+/-), inositol (-), magnesium (-), and n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (+/-) and SAMe (+/-) were not supported for this use. In bipolar disorder, omega-3 had weak support for bipolar depression (+), while NAC was not currently recommended (+/-). NAC was weakly recommended (+) in the treatment of OCD-related disorders however, no other nutraceutical had sufficient evidence in any anxiety-related disorder. Vitamin D (+), NAC (++), methylfolate (++) were recommended to varying degrees in the treatment of the negative symptoms in schizophrenia, while omega-3 fatty acids were not, although evidence suggests a role for prevention of transition to psychosis in high-risk youth, with potential pre-existing fatty acid deficiency. Micronutrients (+) and vitamin D (+) were weakly supported in the treatment of ADHD, while omega-3 (+/-) and omega-9 fatty acids (-), acetyl L carnitine (-), and zinc (+/-) were not supported. Phytoceuticals with supporting Grade A evidence and positive directionality included St John's wort (+++), saffron (++), curcumin (++), and lavender (+) in the treatment of unipolar depression, while rhodiola use was not supported for use in mood disorders. Ashwagandha (++), galphimia (+), and lavender (++) were modestly supported in the treatment of anxiety disorders, while kava (-) and chamomile (+/-) were not recommended for generalised anxiety disorder. Ginkgo was weakly supported in the adjunctive treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia (+), but not supported in the treatment of ADHD (+/-). With respect to safety and tolerability, all interventions were deemed to have varying acceptable levels of safety and tolerability for low-risk over-the-counter use in most circumstances. Quality and standardisation of phytoceuticals was also raised by the taskforce as a key limiting issue for firmer confidence in these agents. Finally, the taskforce noted that such use of nutraceuticals or phytoceuticals be primarily recommended (where supportive evidence exists) adjunctively within a standard medical/health professional care model, especially in cases of more severe mental illness. Some meta-analyses reviewed contained data from heterogenous studies involving poor methodology. Isolated RCTs and other data such as open label or case series were not included, and it is recognised that an absence of data does not imply lack of efficacy. Based on the current data and clinician input, a range of nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals were given either a supportive recommendation or a provisional recommendation across a range of various psychiatric disorders. However several had only a weak endorsement for potential use for a few it was not possible to reach a clear recommendation direction, largely due to mixed study findings while some other agents showed no obvious therapeutic benefit and were clearly not recommended for use. It is the intention of these guidelines to inform psychiatric/medical, and health professional practice globally.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-12-2021
DOI: 10.1111/BDI.13172
Abstract: Rates of obesity have reached epidemic proportions, especially among people with psychiatric disorders. While the effects of obesity on the brain are of major interest in medicine, they remain markedly under‐researched in psychiatry. We obtained body mass index (BMI) and magnetic resonance imaging‐derived regional cortical thickness, surface area from 836 bipolar disorders (BD) and 1600 control in iduals from 14 sites within the ENIGMA‐BD Working Group. We identified regionally specific profiles of cortical thickness using K‐means clustering and studied clinical characteristics associated with in idual cortical profiles. We detected two clusters based on similarities among participants in cortical thickness. The lower thickness cluster (46.8% of the s le) showed thinner cortex, especially in the frontal and temporal lobes and was associated with diagnosis of BD, higher BMI, and older age. BD in iduals in the low thickness cluster were more likely to have the diagnosis of bipolar disorder I and less likely to be treated with lithium. In contrast, clustering based on similarities in the cortical surface area was unrelated to BD or BMI and only tracked age and sex. We provide evidence that both BD and obesity are associated with similar alterations in cortical thickness, but not surface area. The fact that obesity increased the chance of having low cortical thickness could explain differences in cortical measures among people with BD. The thinner cortex in in iduals with higher BMI, which was additive and similar to the BD‐associated alterations, may suggest that treating obesity could lower the extent of cortical thinning in BD.
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-07-2020
DOI: 10.1002/HBM.25098
Abstract: MRI‐derived brain measures offer a link between genes, the environment and behavior and have been widely studied in bipolar disorder (BD). However, many neuroimaging studies of BD have been underpowered, leading to varied results and uncertainty regarding effects. The Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta‐Analysis (ENIGMA) Bipolar Disorder Working Group was formed in 2012 to empower discoveries, generate consensus findings and inform future hypothesis‐driven studies of BD. Through this effort, over 150 researchers from 20 countries and 55 institutions pool data and resources to produce the largest neuroimaging studies of BD ever conducted. The ENIGMA Bipolar Disorder Working Group applies standardized processing and analysis techniques to empower large‐scale meta‐ and mega‐analyses of multimodal brain MRI and improve the replicability of studies relating brain variation to clinical and genetic data. Initial BD Working Group studies reveal widespread patterns of lower cortical thickness, subcortical volume and disrupted white matter integrity associated with BD. Findings also include mapping brain alterations of common medications like lithium, symptom patterns and clinical risk profiles and have provided further insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of BD. Here we discuss key findings from the BD working group, its ongoing projects and future directions for large‐scale, collaborative studies of mental illness.
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Date: 05-2018
No related grants have been discovered for Francesco Benedetti.