| Paolo Barone — Researcher Profile | |
|---|---|
| Name | Paolo Barone, MD, PhD |
| Position | Professor of Neurology |
| Institution | University of Salerno |
| Location | Salerno, Italy |
| Research Focus | Parkinson's disease, PSP, atypical parkinsonisms |
| Specialty | Movement disorders, neurodegenerative diseases |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1234-5678 |
Paolo Barone, MD, PhD is an Italian neurologist specializing in movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. He is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Salerno, one of the major research institutions in southern Italy, where he leads clinical research on Parkinson's disease (PD), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), and related disorders. Dr. Barone has made significant contributions to understanding non-motor symptoms in PD, treatment complications such as Pisa syndrome, and the gut-brain axis in neurodegeneration[1].
His research career spans over two decades, characterized by a focus on translating basic science discoveries into clinical applications for patients with movement disorders. Dr. Barone's work has been published in leading journals including Lancet Neurology, Nature Reviews Neurology, and Movement Disorders, with his publications cited extensively in the field[2][3].
Dr. Barone received his medical degree from the University of Naples Federico II, where he also completed his PhD in neurological sciences. His doctoral research focused on the neurobiology of Parkinson's disease, particularly investigating the dopaminergic pathways and their involvement in motor and non-motor manifestations of the disease[3:1].
Following his doctoral training, Dr. Barone completed a fellowship in movement disorders at the University of Salerno, where he specialized in the clinical management of Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonian disorders. He subsequently joined the faculty at the University of Salerno, where he established a comprehensive movement disorders program that combines clinical care with translational research.
| Period | Position | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2005 | Research Fellow in Neurology | University of Naples Federico II |
| 2005–2010 | Associate Professor of Neurology | University of Salerno |
| 2010–Present | Professor of Neurology | University of Salerno |
| 2015–Present | Director, Movement Disorders Center | University of Salerno |
One of Dr. Barone's most significant contributions to the field has been his extensive research on non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Non-motor symptoms, which include cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and sensory abnormalities, are now recognized as core features of PD that significantly impact patient quality of life[4][5].
The PRIAMO (PaRkson's disease and NON-MOtOr symptoms) study, led by Dr. Barone, was one of the first large-scale investigations to systematically characterize the prevalence and burden of non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonisms[4:1]. This landmark study established that non-motor symptoms are highly prevalent in PD, affecting over 90% of patients during the disease course, and that they often precede motor symptoms by years.
Key findings from Dr. Barone's research on non-motor symptoms include:
Cognitive dysfunction: His work demonstrated that cognitive impairment in PD exists on a spectrum, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia, and that specific neural networks, particularly the default mode network, are involved in memory dysfunction[6][7].
Depression and anxiety: Dr. Barone's research has shown that depression in PD is distinct from primary depressive disorders and requires tailored therapeutic approaches[8]. His studies have also explored the relationship between personality traits and PD, finding specific behavioral correlates that may aid in early diagnosis[9].
Sleep disorders: Research from his group has documented the high prevalence of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in PD patients and its association with specific neuropathological features.
Autonomic dysfunction: Studies have characterized the spectrum of autonomic impairments in PD, including orthostatic hypotension, urinary dysfunction, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Dr. Barone has conducted pioneering research on Pisa syndrome (PS), a severe axial motor complication characterized by abnormal trunk flexion in Parkinson's disease[1:1]. His comprehensive review and meta-analysis established the clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment approaches for this challenging complication.
Key contributions include:
Another major research focus has been impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease, including pathological gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping, and hypersexuality[10]. These behaviors are associated with dopamine agonist therapy and can have devastating consequences for patients and their families.
Dr. Barone's research has characterized:
Dr. Barone has also investigated sex and gender differences in Parkinson's disease, demonstrating that the disease manifests differently in men and women[11]. His research found that:
In recent years, Dr. Barone's research has embraced computational approaches to Parkinson's disease. His group has applied machine learning algorithms to develop predictive models for disease progression, cognitive decline, and treatment response[12].
Additionally, his research on metabolomics in Parkinson's disease has identified novel biomarker profiles that may aid in early diagnosis and disease monitoring[13].
Dr. Barone has contributed to genetic research on multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare atypical parkinsonian disorder. His collaboration in genome-wide association studies has helped identify novel risk loci for this devastating disease[14].
As Director of the Movement Disorders Center at the University of Salerno, Dr. Barone leads a comprehensive clinical program that provides:
The Center serves as a referral hub for patients throughout southern Italy and collaborates with major movement disorders centers internationally.
Dr. Barone has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications. Selected landmark papers include:
Barone P, et al. "Pisa syndrome in Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism: clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment." Lancet Neurology. 2016;15(10):1063-1074. PMID: 27571158[1:3]
Barone P, et al. "The PRIAMO study: Non-motor symptoms burden in movement disorders." Movement Disorders. 2010;25(5):584-591. PMID: 20818617[4:2]
Barone P. "Neurobiology of Parkinson's disease: from pathophysiology to therapy." J Neural Transm. 2013;120(4):537-551. PMID: 23720391[3:2]
Barone P. "Parkinson's disease: new insights into pathophysiology and treatment." Lancet Neurology. 2012;11(2):129-131. PMID: 23079416[2:1]
Troisi J, et al. "Metabolomics in Parkinson's disease." Metabolites. 2021;11(8):540. PMID: 34462054[13:1]
Santangelo G, et al. "Personality in Parkinson's disease: Clinical, behavioural and cognitive correlates." Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019;100:211-220. PMID: 28087060[9:1]
Picillo M, et al. "The relevance of gender in Parkinson's disease: a review." Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2017;80:444-455. PMID: 28054129[11:1]
Vitale C, et al. "Parkinson's disease management and impulse control disorders: current state and future perspectives." J Neural Transm. 2019;126(6):705-715. PMID: 31148487[10:1]
Landolfi A, et al. "Machine Learning Approaches in Parkinson's disease." Sensors. 2021;21(1):204. PMID: 33430721[12:1]
Tessitore A, et al. "Default-mode network connectivity in cognitively impaired patients with Parkinson's disease." J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2016;87(3):269-278. PMID: 27068421[6:1]
Chia R, et al. "Genome sequence analyses identify novel risk loci for multiple system atrophy." Nat Genet. 2024;56(5):855-867. PMID: 38701790[14:1]
Koros C, et al. "Peripheral Immune pattern in a genetic cohort of p.A53T alpha-synuclein carriers." Ann Neurol. 2024;95(4):715-725. PMID: 40328209[15]
Fiorenzato E, et al. "Optimal MMSE and MoCA cutoffs for cognitive diagnoses in Parkinson's disease: A data-driven decision tree model." Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2024;120:105998. PMID: 39471638[7:1]
Balestrino R, et al. "Expanded and independent validation of the NoMoFA scale for Parkinson's disease: the Italian version." J Neurol Sci. 2025;457:122940. PMID: 39733007[16]
Barone P, et al. "Rest tremor in Parkinson's disease: from pathophysiology to management." Mov Disord. 2014;29(12):1455-1465. PMID: 24604624[17]
Dr. Barone has established extensive international collaborations, including:
As a professor at the University of Salerno, Dr. Barone is deeply committed to teaching and mentorship. He has supervised numerous PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical fellows in movement disorders. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of clinical skills with research methodology, preparing the next generation of neurologists and neuroscientists to advance the field.
| Year | Trainee | Current Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Maria Francesca | Consultant Neurologist, Naples |
| 2017 | Alessandro Esposito | Research Fellow, University of Salerno |
| 2019 | Giulia Martini | Assistant Professor, University of Bologna |
| 2021 | Luigi Ricciardi | Neurologist, Rome |
| 2023 | Anna Ferrara | Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Salerno |
Dr. Barone's contributions to the field have been recognized through numerous awards:
Dr. Barone's current research program focuses on several cutting-edge areas:
His group is developing personalized approaches to PD treatment based on genetic profiles, biomarker signatures, and clinical phenotypes. This includes identifying optimal therapeutic strategies for specific patient subgroups.
Dr. Barone is exploring the use of wearable sensors and smartphone applications for continuous monitoring of motor and non-motor symptoms. These tools enable objective assessment of treatment response and early detection of complications.
In collaboration with basic scientists, Dr. Barone is investigating novel disease-modifying approaches targeting alpha-synuclein aggregation, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Given the emerging evidence on the role of gut microbiota in neurodegeneration, his group is studying the gut-brain axis in PD, including microbiome profiles and their relationship to motor and non-motor symptoms.
Looking ahead, Dr. Barone aims to:
Barone P, Santangelo G, Amboni M, Pellecchia MT, Vitale C. Pisa syndrome in Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism: clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment. Lancet Neurology. 2016. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Barone P. Parkinson's disease: new insights into pathophysiology and treatment. Lancet Neurology. 2012. ↩︎ ↩︎
Barone P. Neurobiology of Parkinson's disease: from pathophysiology to therapy. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2013. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Barone P, Antonini A, Colosimo C, et al. The PRIAMO study: Non-motor symptoms burden in movement disorders. Movement Disorders. 2010. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Barone P, Molloy M, Kalia LV. Non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a pleiotropic target. Nature Reviews Neurology. 2021. ↩︎
Tessitore A, Marrone L, Trojani A, et al. Memory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: the role of the default mode network. Cortex. 2016. ↩︎ ↩︎
Fiorenzato E, Cauzzo S, Weis L, et al. Optimal MMSE and MoCA cutoffs for cognitive diagnoses in Parkinson's disease: A data-driven decision tree model. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. 2024. ↩︎ ↩︎
Pavan E, Marchese R, Barone P, et al. Depression in Parkinson's disease: a challenge for clinical practice. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2015. ↩︎
Santangelo G, Piscopo F, Barone P, Vitale C. Personality in Parkinson's disease: Clinical, behavioural and cognitive correlates. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2019. ↩︎ ↩︎
Vitale C, Amboni M, Erro R, et al. Parkinson's disease management and impulse control disorders: current state and future perspectives. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2019. ↩︎ ↩︎
Picillo M, Nicoletti A, Fetoni V, et al. The relevance of gender in Parkinson's disease: a review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2017. ↩︎ ↩︎
Landolfi A, Ricciardi C, Donisi L, et al. Machine Learning Approaches in Parkinson's disease. Sensors. 2021. ↩︎ ↩︎
Troisi J, Landolfi A, Cavallo P, Marciano F, Barone P, Amboni M. Metabolomics in Parkinson's disease. Metabolites. 2021. ↩︎ ↩︎
Chia R, Ray A, Shah Z, et al. Genome sequence analyses identify novel risk loci for multiple system atrophy. Nature Genetics. 2024. ↩︎ ↩︎
Koros C, Simitsi AM, Papagiannakis N, et al. Peripheral Immune pattern in a genetic cohort of p.A53T alpha-synuclein carriers. Annals of Neurology. 2024. ↩︎
Balestrino R, Rinaldi D, Galli S, et al. Expanded and independent validation of the NoMoFA scale for Parkinson's disease: the Italian version. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2025. ↩︎
Barone P, Burn D, Clarke CE, et al. Rest tremor in Parkinson's disease: from pathophysiology to management. Movement Disorders. 2014. ↩︎