Gianfranco Raciti

Dr. Gianfranco Raciti


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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15 May 2023 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
WTWilliam Torregrossa
William Torregrossa
LRLoredana Raciti
Loredana Raciti
CRCarmela Rifici
Carmela Rifici
GRGiuseppina Rizzo
Giuseppina Rizzo
GRGianfranco Raciti
Gianfranco Raciti
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore CalabròRocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as an altered brain structure or function produced by an external force. Adults surviving moderate and severe TBI often experience long-lasting neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric disorders (NPS). NPS can occur as primary psychiatric complications or could be an exacerbation of pre-existing compensated conditions. It has been shown that changes in behavior following moderate to severe TBI have a prevalence rate of 25–88%, depending on the methodology used by the different studies. Most of current literature has found that cognitive behavioral and emotional deficit following TBI occurs within the first six months whereas after 1–2 years the condition becomes stable. Identifying the risk factors for poor outcome is the first step to reduce the sequelae. Patients with TBI have an adjusted relative risk of developing any NPS several-fold higher than in the general population after six months of moderate–severe TBI. All NPS features of an individual’s life, including social, working, and familiar relationships, may be affected by the injury, with negative consequences on quality of life. This overview aims to investigate the most frequent psychiatric, behavioral, and emotional symptoms in patients suffering from TBI as to improve the clinical practice and tailor a more specific rehabilitation training.

21 February 2022 in Medicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LRLoredana Raciti
Loredana Raciti
GRGianfranco Raciti
Gianfranco Raciti
GPGrazia Pulejo
Grazia Pulejo
VCValeria Conti-Nibali
Valeria Conti-Nibali
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore CalabròRocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Neurogenic dysphagia is a difficulty in swallowing food caused by disease or impairment of the nervous system, including stroke and traumatic brain injury. The most clinically apparent complication of neurogenic dysphagia is pulmonary aspiration, which may manifest itself acutely as choking or coughing, respiratory distress, wheezing, gasping or gurgling, and tachycardia. However, chronic symptoms, including weight loss, production of excessive oral secretions and aspiration pneumonia, may be also present, especially in patients with a disorder of consciousness (DOC). Usually, patients with dysphagia after the acute phase need to be treated with enteral nutrition using a feeding tube. This avoids patient malnutrition and supports the rehabilitation program. This narrative review aims to investigate dysphagia and its complications and management in patients with DOC. Clinical indications and practical advice on how to assess and treat this complex problem are also provided.

5 September 2025 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LRLoredana Raciti
Loredana Raciti
GRGianfranco Raciti
Gianfranco Raciti
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore CalabròRocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Traumatic injuries to the brain and spinal cord remain among the most challenging conditions in clinical neuroscience due to the complexity of repair mechanisms and the limited regenerative capacity of neural tissues. Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative field, offering precise diagnostic tools, targeted therapeutic delivery systems, and advanced scaffolding platforms that are capable of overcoming the biological barriers to regeneration. This review summarizes the recent advances in nanoscale diagnostic markers, functionalized nanoparticles for drug delivery, and nanostructured scaffolds designed to modulate the injured microenvironment and support axonal regrowth and remyelination. Emerging evidence indicates that nanotechnology enables real-time, minimally invasive detection of inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage, while improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing systemic side effects through targeted delivery. Electroconductive scaffolds and hybrid strategies that integrate electrical stimulation, gene therapy, and artificial intelligence further expand opportunities for personalized neuroregeneration. Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, including long-term safety, immune compatibility, the scalability of large-scale production, and translational barriers, such as small sample sizes, heterogeneous preclinical models, and limited follow-up in existing studies. Addressing these issues will be critical to realize the full potential of nanotechnology in traumatic brain and spinal cord injury and to accelerate the transition from promising preclinical findings to effective clinical therapies.

24 June 2024 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LRLoredana Raciti
Loredana Raciti
GRGianfranco Raciti
Gianfranco Raciti
Ammendolia AntonioAmmendolia Antonio
Ammendolia Antonio
Alessandro de SireAlessandro de Sire
Alessandro de Sire
MOMaria Pia Onesta
Maria Pia Onesta
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore CalabròRocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Spasticity is a very common sign in the neurological field. It can be defined as “a motor disorder marked by a velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone or tonic stretch reflexes” associated with hypertonia. It leads to a high risk of limb deformities and pain that prejudices residual motor function, impairing quality of life”. The treatment of spasticity depends on its severity and its location and, in general, it is based on rehabilitation, oral therapies (the gamma-aminobutyric acid b agonist baclofen) and injectable medications (i.e., botulin toxins, acting on polysynaptic reflex mechanisms). The botulin toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection has been effectively used to improve different types of spasticity. However, when BoNT-A is not sufficient, a combination of nonpharmacological approaches could be attempted. Therefore, additional intervention, such as conventional physical therapy by itself or further combined with robotic gait training, may be needed. Indeed, it has been shown that combination of BoNT-A and robotics has a positive effect on activity level and upper limb function in patients with stroke, including those in the chronic phase. The aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological or nonpharmacological treatment in combination with BoNT-A injections on spasticity. The combined therapy of BoNT with conventional or adjunct activities or robot-assisted training, especially with end-effectors, is a valid tool to improve patients’ performance and outcomes. The combined strategies might rise the toxin’s effect, lowering its dosages of botulinum and reducing side effects and costs.

18 April 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LRLoredana Raciti
Loredana Raciti
Martina FerrilloMartina Ferrillo
Martina Ferrillo
Ammendolia AntonioAmmendolia Antonio
Ammendolia Antonio
GRGianfranco Raciti
Gianfranco Raciti
CCClaudio Curci
Claudio Curci
Alessandro de SireAlessandro de Sire
Alessandro de Sire
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a cluster of musculoskeletal conditions that involve the overall structures of jaw movements, including the temporomandibular joint, the masticatory muscles, and the surrounding structures. The etiology of TMD-related pain may be either central or peripheral, and differential diagnoses with other orofacial conditions are commonly required. Central pain etiology is associated with altered brain function linked to sensitization of pain-producing centers, whereas peripheral etiology of TMD is considered multifactorial, with some predisposing factors. Differentiating between neurological conditions and TMD requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation, as overlapping symptoms can complicate the diagnostic process. The aim of this review was to summarize the current literature about the role of neurophysiological examination in the management of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorders to provide clear data that could be useful for clinical practice and for future clinical studies in this field.

15 June 2025 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LRLoredana Raciti
Loredana Raciti
DLDesiree Latella
Desiree Latella
GRGianfranco Raciti
Gianfranco Raciti
CSChiara Sorbera
Chiara Sorbera
MBMirjam Bonanno
Mirjam Bonanno
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore CalabròRocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Rocco Salvatore Salvatore Calabrò
Background/Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor and cognitive impairments that significantly affect quality of life. Robotic-assisted therapies, such as the AMADEO® system, have shown potential in rehabilitating upper limb function but are underexplored in PD. This study aimed to assess the effects of Robotic-Assisted Therapy (RAT) compared to Conventional Physical Therapy (CPT) on cognitive, motor, and functional outcomes in PD patients. Methods: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with PD patients allocated to RAT or CPT. Participants were assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1) using measures including MoCA, FAB, UPDRS-III, 9-Hole Peg Test, FMA-UE, FIM, and PDQ-39. Statistical analyses included ANCOVA and regression models. Results: RAT led to significant improvements in global cognition (MoCA, p < 0.001) and executive functioning (FAB, p = 0.0002) compared to CPT. Motor function improved, particularly in wrist and hand control (FMA-UE), whereas changes in fine motor dexterity (9-Hole Peg Test) were less consistent and did not reach robust significance. No significant improvements were observed in broader quality of life domains, depressive symptoms, or memory-related cognitive measures. However, quality of life improved significantly in the stigma subdomain of the PDQ-39 (p = 0.0075). Regression analyses showed that baseline motor impairment predicted cognitive outcomes. Conclusions: RAT demonstrated superior cognitive and motor benefits in PD patients compared to CPT. These results support the integration of robotic rehabilitation into PD management. Further studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up are needed to validate these findings and assess their sustainability.