Laura Culicetto

Dr. Laura Culicetto


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 July 2024 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GMGiulia Marafioti
Giulia Marafioti
DCDavide Cardile
Davide Cardile
LCLaura Culicetto
Laura Culicetto
Angelo QuartaroneAngelo Quartarone
Angelo Quartarone
Viviana Lo BuonoViviana Lo Buono
Viviana Lo Buono
Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease that affects the Central Nervous System by causing demyelination. Social cognition (SC) deficits are common among individuals with MS and can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL) due to difficulties in interpreting social cues and establishing meaningful relationships. Objective: This scoping review aimed to investigate SC in subjects with MS and its impact on QoL. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. After reading the full text of the selected studies and applying predefined inclusion criteria, four studies were included based on pertinence and relevance to the topic. Results: The findings highlight significant associations between SC deficits, social support, fatigue, and QoL outcomes. Cognitive decline was identified as a predictive factor for SC impairment in the MS population, which affects daily activities and relationships, thereby reducing QoL. Moreover, emotional impairments such as depression and anxiety exacerbate these challenges. Enhancing social support networks may improve psychological well-being and disease management in MS. Conclusions: Although evidence is limited, assessing SC is crucial in the care pathways for MS to develop tailored psychosocial interventions that address the cognitive, emotional, and social facets of the disease, thereby improving overall outcomes and QoL.

18 September 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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LCLaura Culicetto
Laura Culicetto
Viviana Lo BuonoViviana Lo Buono
Viviana Lo Buono
SDSofia Donato
Sofia Donato
ATAntonino La Tona
Antonino La Tona
ACAnita Maria Sophia Cusumano
Anita Maria Sophia Cusumano
SMSilvia Marino
Silvia Marino
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity, tremors, and cognitive disorders. Individuals with MS may employ different coping strategies to manage these symptoms, which in turn can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). This review aims to analyze these coping strategies and their impact on QoL. Furthermore, it seeks to identify the key factors that influence the choice and effectiveness of these coping strategies, providing insights into which strategies are most beneficial for enhancing QoL in people with MS. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. This systematic review has been registered in OSF with the number DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QY37X. Results: A total of 1192 studies were identified. After reading the full text of the selected studies and applying predefined inclusion criteria, 19 studies were included based on their pertinence and relevance to the topic. The results revealed that emotional variables, demographic factors, personality traits, and family support significantly influence the choice of coping strategies used to manage the symptoms of MS. Problem-solving and task-oriented coping were prevalent among MS patients and associated with better QoL outcomes. Emotional-focused and avoidance strategies were generally linked to poorer QoL, though avoidance provided temporary relief in certain contexts. Social support, emotional health, and cognitive reframing were crucial in enhancing QoL. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of tailored psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions focusing on emotional health, social support, and adaptive coping strategies. These interventions can significantly improve the long-term outcomes for individuals with MS. Future research should explore the dynamic interactions between coping strategies and QoL over time, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to best support MS patients in managing their disease.

23 April 2025 in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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GMGiulia Marafioti
Giulia Marafioti
LCLaura Culicetto
Laura Culicetto
DLDesirèe Latella
Desirèe Latella
AMAngela Marra
Angela Marra
AQAngelo Quartarone
Angelo Quartarone
VBViviana Lo Buono
Viviana Lo Buono
Background: Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) is increasingly recognized as a preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), representing a critical window for early detection and intervention. Understanding the structural and functional neural changes in SCD can improve diagnosis, monitoring, and management of this early stage of disease.Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify studies examining neuroanatomical, neurofunctional, and neuroimaging findings in individuals with SCD. Inclusion criteria emphasized studies exploring SCD’s potential as an early biomarker for AD progression.Results: A total of 2.283 studies were screened, with 17 meeting the inclusion criteria. Evidence indicates that SCD is associated with cortical thinning and reductions in gray matter volume (GMV), particularly in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and medial temporal lobe. Functional imaging studies reveal disruptions in the default mode network (DMN), executive control networks (ECN), and sensorimotor networks (SMN), indicating both compensatory mechanisms and early dysfunction. Dynamic functional connectivity studies report reduced brain activity efficiency, while graph theory analyses show decreased network integration. Advanced neuroimaging techniques and machine learning (ML) approaches demonstrate significant promise in detecting subtle neural changes in SCD, with applications for early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.Conclusion: SCD represents a heterogeneous condition characterized by mixed compensatory and degenerative neural changes, marking a critical early stage in the AD continuum. Combining structural and functional brain alterations with advanced neuroimaging and ML methodologies provides valuable biomarkers for early detection. Future longitudinal and multimodal studies are essential to standardize methodologies, account for individual variability, and develop personalized interventions aimed at mitigating progression to dementia.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024616052, CRD42024616052.

1 January 2024 in Parkinson's Disease
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LCLaura Culicetto
Laura Culicetto
CFCaterina Formica
Caterina Formica
VBViviana Lo Buono
Viviana Lo Buono
DLDesirèe Latella
Desirèe Latella
GMGiuseppa Maresca
Giuseppa Maresca
SMSilvia Marino
Silvia Marino
Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty in recognizing and verbalizing emotions, is reported to be more prevalent in subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD) than in the general population. Although it is one of the nonmotor symptoms of PD, alexithymia is often overlooked in clinical practice. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the prevalence of alexithymia in PD, assess its impact on quality of life, and explore the rehabilitation approaches for alexithymia. Research articles, selected from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were limited to those published in English from 2013 to 2023. The search terms combined were “Alexithymia,” “Parkinson’s disease,”, and “Quality of life.” Current literature review indicates that alexithymia is commonly assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20), and it is associated with deficits in visuospatial and executive functions. Presently, rehabilitation interventions for alexithymia are scarce, and their effectiveness remains controversial. Future research should focus on developing comprehensive assessments and rehabilitation strategies for emotional processing, considering its significant impact on the quality of life of both patients and caregivers.

23 January 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LCLaura Culicetto
Laura Culicetto
FIFederica Impellizzeri
Federica Impellizzeri
Viviana Lo BuonoViviana Lo Buono
Viviana Lo Buono
GMGiulia Marafioti
Giulia Marafioti
GLGiuseppe Di Lorenzo
Giuseppe Di Lorenzo
SMSilvia Marino
Silvia Marino
Background: Pathological gambling (PG) is a significant non-motor complication in Parkinson’s disease (PD), often linked to dopaminergic therapies. PG impacts the quality of life of patients and their families, presenting unique challenges due to its interplay with motor symptoms and cognitive impairments in PD. This scoping review synthesized current evidence on rehabilitation strategies for PG in PD. Methods: A systematic review was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify studies addressing pharmacological, psychological, and neuromodulatory approaches. The scoping objective was to map the available evidence on treatment strategies and identify research gaps. Results: Of 537 studies, 5 met the inclusion criteria. Pharmacological strategies included dopamine agonist adjustments, naltrexone, and amantadine, which showed partial efficacy but were often limited by significant side effects. Neuromodulation via deep brain stimulation (DBS) demonstrated potential by modulating limbic circuits, though risks like apathy and transient symptom exacerbation were noted. Psychological interventions, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), were the most effective in modifying gambling behaviors, though adaptations are needed for PD-specific cognitive and psychiatric challenges. Conclusions: Effective rehabilitation for PG in PD requires a multidisciplinary approach to balance motor symptom management with impulse control disorders. While pharmacological, psychological, and neuromodulatory interventions show promise, gaps remain regarding their long-term efficacy, combined use, and tailoring to PD-specific needs. The lack of large-scale, comparative studies and limited exploration of novel therapeutic combinations underscore the need for further research to optimize patient outcomes and develop comprehensive treatment frameworks.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Alessandro GrimaldiAlessandro Grimaldi
Alessandro Grimaldi
IVIsabella Veneziani
Isabella Veneziani
LCLaura Culicetto
Laura Culicetto
Angelo QuartaroneAngelo Quartarone
Angelo Quartarone
Viviana Lo BuonoViviana Lo Buono
Viviana Lo Buono
Background/Objectives: Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder causing progressive neurodegeneration which, aside from symptomatic therapies for controlling psychological and motor problems, currently has no effective treatment. People who receive this diagnosis often feel disoriented and lost without guidance. Furthermore, HD patients are estimated to have a two to seven times greater risk of suicide death compared to the general population. The current review investigates the complex relationship between HD and suicide, seeking to identify key risk factors influencing suicidal ideation and behaviour in affected individuals. Methods: We conducted a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were searched for on the PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: The findings reveal that emotional strain, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and the absence of a cure contribute to heightened suicidal tendencies in HD patients. Critical periods for suicide risk coincide with early symptomatic stages of disease or the successive phase, with the loss of independence impacting on daily functioning. Risk factors associated with HD include a depressive mood, cognitive impairments, and a history of suicide attempts. Conclusions: From a prevention perspective, a comprehensive multidisciplinary and multidimensional approach could enhance the overall well-being of people with HD. In particular, screening for suicidal thoughts in people with HD could mitigate suicide risk.