Bridging the Gap in Multiple Sclerosis: From Genetic Isolate to Digital Movement Biomarkers

Organization: University of Cagliari – Neurology Unit & Movement Analysis Lab

Principal Investigator: Professor of Neurology / MS Specialist

Location: Sardinia, Italy

1. Expertise Offered: A Dual-Track Research Approach

We provide a unique integration of high-resolution genetic data and advanced functional assessment, offering a holistic view of Multiple Sclerosis progression.

• Advanced Movement Analysis Laboratory: Our facility is equipped for the quantitative assessment of motor disability. We specialize in:

  • Gait & Balance Analysis: Using optoelectronic systems, pressure plates, and inertial sensors (IMUs) to detect sub-clinical mobility changes.

  • Digital Biomarkers: Developing objective metrics to monitor disease progression and "invisible" disability beyond the EDSS scale.

  • Rehabilitation Outcomes: Validating the efficacy of neuro-rehabilitation and pharmacological treatments through objective motor data.

• The Sardinian Genetic Isolate: Access to one of the world's most significant MS cohorts (>400/100,000 prevalence). This provides:

  • Reduced Genetic Heterogeneity: A "natural laboratory" for identifying rare variants and gene-environment interactions.

  • Deep Phenotyping: A large, longitudinal database correlating genetic risk scores with real-world clinical and motor outcomes.

• Clinical & Fluid Biomarkers: Expertise in blood/CSF analysis (Neurofilaments, OCB) integrated with clinical monitoring and treatment response tracking.

2. Horizon Europe Call Topics of Interest

We are seeking consortia for Cluster 1 (Health) focused on:

• Destination 3 – Tackling diseases: Personalized medicine and new stratification methods for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Destination 5 – Digital solutions for health: Development and clinical validation of digital tools and AI-driven monitoring for chronic neurological conditions.

• Destination 6 – Innovative Health Initiative (IHI): Public-private partnerships for digital health and precision medicine.

3. Our Role in a Consortium

• Clinical & Functional Validation Lead: We can lead work packages focused on testing new digital monitoring tools or wearables in a real-world clinical setting.

• Data Provider for Stratification: Providing integrated datasets (Genetics + Digital Movement Metrics + Clinical Data) for AI modeling and biomarker discovery.

• Pilot Site for Innovative Therapies: Offering a highly characterized and stable patient population for clinical trials.

4. Target Partners

• Tech Companies & SMEs: Developing wearable sensors, VR/AR for rehabilitation, or AI platforms for movement analysis.

• Academic Coordinators: Building proposals on neuro-immunology, aging, or digital health.

• Data Scientists: Interested in modeling complex interactions between genetics and functional decline.

• Pharma Industry: Focused on "beyond the pill" solutions and objective monitoring of drug efficacy.

Why Partner With Us?

We don't just provide data; we provide a comprehensive validation ecosystem. By combining the unique genetic background of the Sardinian population with high-tech movement analysis, we offer the perfect environment to test and scale the next generation of MS treatments and digital health solutions.