Clinical neuroscience

Principal Investigator

Julio Plaba Bello, MD, PhD

(Associate Professor; Department of Nursing, ULL – Attending Physician in Neurosurgery, HUC) 

ULL collaborators

  • Pablo Martín Vasallo (University Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, ULL)
  • José Luis González Mora (University Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, ULL)
  • África Borges del Rosal (University Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychobiology and Methodology, ULL)
  • Rebeca González Fernández (Contracted Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, ULL)
  • Cristián Modroño Pascual (Contracted Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, ULL)
  • Rita Marleny Martín Ramírez (Researcher, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics, ULL)
  • Estefanía Hernández Martín (Researcher, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, ULL)

External collaborators

  • Ana Cristina Plata Bello, MD, PhD (Attending Physician in Urology, HUC)
  • Lilian Medina Vega (Faculty Area Specialist, Biochemistry, HUC)
  • Antonia de Vera González (Specialist Physician, Biochemistry, HUC)
  • Alberto di Somma (Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, University of Barcelona)
  • Alejandra Mosteiro Cadaval (Resident Physician, Neurosurgery, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona)
  • Marija Heffer (Department of Molecular Biology, University of Osijek, Croatia)
  • Elena Salillas Pérez (Contracted Professor, Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza)

PhD students and researchers in training

  • Helga Fariña Jerónimo (Doctoral Program in Health Sciences, ULL)
  • Roberta Repossi (Doctoral Program in Health Sciences, ULL)
  • Carlos García Álvarez (Doctoral Program in Health Sciences, ULL)
  • Dante Noah Jorge Sálamo

Lines of research

Over the past few years, our research interest has focused on three main themes:

  • Neuroimaging. In this field, we have aimed to identify the anatomical and functional characteristics of brain regions involved in different cognitive and behavioral aspects. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we have developed various experiments that have contributed to a better characterization of these regions.
  • Clinical research: we have contributed to different international networks focused on the interpretation of neuroimaging studies in patients with spinal metastases; on the effects of COVID-19 in the surgical environment; and we have actively participated in a national network for the study of brain metastases (RENACER).
  • We are also developing several projects focused on brain tumors, identifying new prognostic and response biomarkers, as well as defining possible new therapeutic targets.

Funded projects

  • Identification of biomarkers related to cognitive impairment associated with androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients. PI: Julio Plata Bello. DISA Foundation (01/01/2020 – 01/01/2023, €15,125)
  • Identification of biomarkers related to cognitive impairment associated with androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients. PI: Julio Plata Bello. MAPFRE Foundation (01/01/2021 – 01/01/2023, €20,000)

Publications 2023

  • Plata-Bello J, Pérez-Lorensu PJ, Saponaro-González Á, Darias-Delbey B, Fariña-Jerónimo H, Domínguez-Lorenzo JM, Ucelay-Gómez R, González-Tabares EF, Ibrahim-Achi Z, Guerrero-Ramírez CS, Padrón-Encalada CE, Pérez-Burkhardt JL. Can NIRS be a surrogate indicator of elective shunt in carotid endarterectomy? A single-center observational retrospective study says no. Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing. 2023. DOI: 10.1007/S10877-023-01114-1
  • Plata-Bello J, Private N, Modroño C, Pérez-Martín Y, Borges Á, González-Mora JL. Empathy Modulates the Activity of the Sensorimotor Mirror Neuron System During Pain Observation. Behavioral Sciences. 2023;13(11):947. DOI: 10.3390/BS13110947
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery (Plata Bello J). Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries. British Journal of Surgery. 2023 Jun 12;110(7):804-817. DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znad092 

Other representative publications from recent years