Studies on circadian rhythm and vitamin D and on successful residency winners of the Alberto Sordi Foundation Call
October 3, 2019 - “The D-Rhythm: The role of vitamin D and circadian rhythm alterations in neurodegenerative diseases” and “The house I would like: Study on the factors that promote successful residential care in the elderly” are the two projects funded for 2019 by the Alberto Sordi Foundation.
The first work analyzes the possible interrelationship between vitamin D metabolism and sleep regulatory factors as responsible for the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Sleep irregularities appear to be associated with a worsening of these diseases and could be affected by alterations in vitamin D metabolism common in the elderly population. Through the study of a group of patients, the experimenters will develop cellular models obtained from the reprogramming of their stem cells. “The D-Rhythm” is coordinated by Dr. Massimo Marano ofNeurology Research Unit and conducted in close collaboration with Dr. Andrea Palermo ofResearch Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetology and Dr. Jessica Rosati of the cell reprogramming laboratory of the CSS Mendel Institute in Rome, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza.
The project on the elements that define successful residential homes for elderly people was conceived by Prof Michela Piredda,Research Unit of Nursing Sciences of the University. The study identifies the requirements that a residence should have to allow the elderly to feel at home. These are relational, organizational and social welfare characteristics and environmental and space design preferences. The aim is to identify the elements that give the elderly the feeling of being at home. The project involves the elderly person in a direct way, favoring an active evaluation, on his part, in the decision of the residence in which to move, so as to perceive this choice in a positive way, with the creation of a physical and emotional space in which it is pleasant to live and live.
The two winning projects are in line with the ideals of the Aberto Sordi Foundation, which believes in the wealth of old age and supports geriatric research in the field of the physiopathology of aging by funding the advanced scientific research center on aging diseases conducted by the University Rome Biomedical Campus.
