European Research’s Night 2026 – UNIMORE
25/09/2026
To mark European Researchers’ Night, the Cloister of the San Geminiano Complex in Modena hosted the event ‘Sleeping, Dreaming, Remembering: A Journey into the Brain at Every Stage of Life‘. Organized by the team from the Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences and the Neurophysiology & Epilepsy Center at the Modena University Hospital (A.E. Vaudano, A. Ballerini, A. Michalak, S. Scolastico, P. Milano, I. Incerti, B. Vindigni, R. Ciliento, A. Casarini), the interactive workshop welcomed visitors of all ages. Through hands-on activities and demonstrations of EEG-fMRI technology, attendees gained insight into brain function during sleep and learned about the vital role of neuroscience in protecting brain health and supporting the well-being of future generations.
“EEG-fMRI Workshop”: Time for Clinical Application in Epilepsy
9-10/09/2026
Following the 16th European Epilepsy Congress in Athens, the event took place under the scientific direction of Prof. Anna Elisabetta Vaudano, Prof. Graeme Jackson, Prof. Jean Gotman, and Prof. Paolo Federico. The workshop brought together international experts and researchers to explore the latest innovations in EEG-fMRI integration, with a special focus on the application of advanced neuroimaging in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. It provided a valuable platform for discussion and training, highlighting the key role of multimodal techniques in clinical and neuroscientific research.
Late-Onset Temporal Lobe Epilepsy isn’t always linked to Alzheimer’s: A New Unimore Study
4/09/2026
A new study led by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore), recently published in Neurology, offers groundbreaking insights into late-onset temporal lobe epilepsy by demonstrating that this condition is not always linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The research stems from a collaborative effort between the AdvancedMRI Epilepsy Lab, coordinated by Prof. Anna Elisabetta Vaudano, and the Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Neuroimaging group, led by Prof. Giovanna Zamboni. By combining multidisciplinary expertise, the team achieved a detailed patient characterization based on clinical, cognitive, neuroradiological, and biological markers. This work builds upon a 2025 study published in Brain, which had previously highlighted the absence of structural brain alterations in patients with this form of epilepsy, further advancing differential diagnosis and personalized management in clinical care.
Read the news – Modena Today
Read the news – UNIMORE Magazine
Unimore and AOU Modena Secure Major Grants in 2024 Research Call: Dr. Alice Ballerini Among Principal Investigators
20/04/2026
The University Hospital of Modena (AOU Modena) achieved outstanding results in the 2024 “Ricerca Finalizzata” funding call, securing six out of the 17 projects awarded across Emilia-Romagna for a total of €2.4 million. Among the successful principal investigators is Dr. Alice Ballerini, whose awarded study underscores the high standard of research conducted at AOU Modena and Unimore. Sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Health, this prestigious grant will support Dr. Ballerini’s work in advancing translational clinical research, contributing significantly to key healthcare innovations and highlighting the institution’s commitment to cutting-edge scientific excellence.
“Late-Onset Epilepsy of Unknown Origin: Emerging Insights and Links to Neurodegeneration”
10/04/2026
The event, held in the Vecchiati Auditorium at Baggiovara Civil Hospital (Modena) under the scientific direction of Prof. Anna Elisabetta Vaudano and Dr. Alice Ballerini, explored the main aspects of late-onset epilepsy and its potential links to neurodegenerative processes.
Prof. Anna Vaudano Awarded €1.5M FIS Grant for Innovative Epilepsy Research at Unimore
23/12/2025
Prof. Anna Elisabetta Vaudano, neurologist and researcher at the Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences (BMN) of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore), has been awarded a €1.5 million grant from the Italian Fund for Science (FIS 3 call). This prestigious funding, designed to support ground-breaking research initiatives across Italy, will back an innovative scientific project aimed at uncovering new insights into epilepsy. The grant highlights the excellence of Unimore’s neuroscience research ecosystem and reinforces its leading position in pushing the boundaries of epileptology and clinical neuroimaging.
Unimore study published in Brain clarifies links between epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases
22/01/2025
A landmark study by researchers in Modena, published in the prestigious journal Brain, provides crucial clarity on the connections between epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases. By investigating the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, the research challenges long-held assumptions about structural brain changes in patients with late-onset epilepsy. The findings offer valuable implications for differential diagnosis and clinical management, underscoring the vital role of the Modena research team in advancing international neuroscientific knowledge.