CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME
PRESENT POSITION
Alberto Gajofatto
since December 2013:
jr. Assistant Professor in Neurology
Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences
University of Verona, Italy
date of birth:
February 25, 1978
Consultant
Neurology Unit
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona
EDUCATION
INSTITUTION AND LOCATION
DEGREE
YEAR
FIELD OF STUDY
Liceo Scientifico A. Messedaglia, Verona, Italy
School of Medicine, University of Verona, Italy
Department of Neuroscience, University of Verona, Italy
Department of Neurological Science, University of Verona, Italy
B.S.
M.D.
Neurology Specialty
Ph.D.
1997
2003
2008
2012
Sciences
Medicine
Neurology
Neurosciences
PROFESSIONAL and RESEARCH TRAINING/PAST POSITIONS:
Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona:
Medical Internship: 2002 – 2003
Policlinico G.B. Rossi, University of Verona:
Residency in Neurology: 2003 – 2008
UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center, San Francisco, CA:
Postdoctoral Fellowship: 2006 – 2007
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Verona:
PhD Program in Neuroscience: 2009 – 2011
Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Neurology Department, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Verona:
Clinical Fellowship: 2008 – 2013
RESEARCH PROJECTS DEVISED AND MANAGED
• Brain functional MRI changes in multiple sclerosis patients with spasticity; 2014 –
• Correlation between cerebrospinal fluid markers of neurodegeneration and MRI measures of
gray matter pathology in multiple sclerosis; 2013 –
• Natural history study of untreated benign multiple sclerosis patients; 2013 –
• Clinical and cognitive evolution of multiple sclerosis with benign course: a 5-year prospective
study; 2013-2014
• Natalizumab or fingolimod as second-line options for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis:
an observational study; 2012 – 2014
• Exploratory CSF biomarkers in patients with an initial demyelinating event of the CNS; 2009
– 2012
• Predictors of recovery, symptom recurrence, conversion to multiple sclerosis and long-term
disability after acute myelitis; 2007 – 2008
• Impact of switching first-line disease-modifying therapy after treatment failure in relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis; 2006 – 2007
AWARDS AND PRIZES
• Young Investigator Award for Multiple Sclerosis Research 2013; European Charcot
Foundation 21st Annual Meeting; Baveno, 28-30 November 2013
• Neuroimmunology and Demyelinating Diseases Special Interest Group; American
Neurological Association 134th Annual Meeting; Baltimore, 11-14 October 2009
COLLABORATIONS
• Istituto Superiore di Sanità: molecular markers of cortical pathology in multiple sclerosis;
2013 –
• RiReMS group: rising researchers in multiple sclerosis; 2013 –
• Regione Veneto: surveillance of flaccid paralysis cases in Veneto region; 2012 – 2013
• UCSF, University of California San Francisco: response predictors and switching strategies of
disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis; 2006 – 2010
PARTICIPATION IN MULTICENTER STUDIES AND CLINICAL TRIALS
• Beta-interferon in Early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis Surveillance Trial (Mult Scler
2007; 13: S49)
• GERONIMUS Study (Gruppo Emiliano-ROmagnolo Neurologi In MUltiple Sclerosis) (Eur J
Neurol 2009; 16, Suppl 3: 245)
• MAIN trial (Neuroepidemiology 2009; 33: 197)
• CFTY720D2316: A 4-month, open-label, multi-center study to explore tolerability and safety
and health outcomes of FTY720 in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.
• BD0109: Relationship between IL-6 and TNF-α polymorphism with flu-like syndrome
development in multiple sclerosis patients treated with Interferon-beta 1 a im
• CFTY720D2399: A single arm, open-label, multicenter study evaluating the long-term safety
and tolerability of 0.5 mg fingolimod (FTY720) administered orally once daily in patients with
relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis
• NGM114840: A randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose/repeat
dose cohort study to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of
GSK1223249 in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis
• CFTY720DIT03: An open-label, multi-center, expanded access study with fingolimod in
patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis for whom no suitable therapy exists
• EFC6058 – Teracles: A multi-center double-blind parallel-group placebo-controlled study of
the efficacy and safety of teriflunomide in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis who are
treated with interferon-beta
TEACHING
- Demyelinating diseases; Residency Program in Neurology, University of Verona; 2015 –
- Neurology; Nursing School, University of Verona, 2015 –
- Neurological examination; School of Medicine, University of Verona, 2014 –
MENTORING OF STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS
-
Mattia Zanoni, medical student; Medical Degree thesis: “Correlation between
cerebrospinal fluid markers of neurodegeneration and MRI measures of gray matter
pathology in multiple sclerosis”; 2014
-
Maria Rachele Bianchi, resident in Neurology; final dissertation: “Clinical and cognitive
evolution of multiple sclerosis with benign course: a 5-year prospective study”; 2014
-
Ambra Stefani, medical student; Medical Degree thesis: “Prevalence of multiple sclerosis
in Verona, Italy”; 2010
PEER REVIEW
Neurology, Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, European Journal of Neurology,
BMC Neurology, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, European Journal of Physical and
Rehabilitation Medicine
PUBLICATIONS:
Articles in peer-reviewed journals
1.
Gajofatto A, Bacchetti P, Grimes B, High A, Waubant E. Switching first-line diseasemodifying therapy after failure: impact on the course of relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis. Mult Scler 2009; 15:50-58 (IF: 3.279; JCR 2009)
2.
Gajofatto A, Monaco S, Fiorini M, Zanusso G, Vedovello M, Rossi F, Turatti M, Benedetti MD.
Assessment of outcome predictors in first-ever acute myelitis: a retrospective study
on 53 cases. Arch Neurol 2010; 67:724-730 (IF: 6.312; JCR 2009)
3.
Turatti M, Gajofatto A, Rossi F, Vedovello M, Benedetti MD. Long survival and clinical
stability in Marburg’s variant multiple sclerosis. Neurol Sci 2010; 31:807-811 (IF: 1.220;
JCR 2010)
4.
Castillo-Trivino T, Mowry EM, Gajofatto A, Chabas D, Crabtree-Hartman E, Cree B, Goodin DS,
Green AJ, Okuda DT, Pelletier D, Zamvil SS, Vittinghoff E, Waubant E. Switching multiple
sclerosis patients with breakthrough disease to second-line therapy. Plos One 2011;
6(2):e16664 (IF: 4.092, JCR 2011)
5.
Invernizzi P, Bertolasi L, Turatti M, Bianchi MR, Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD. Prognostic value
of multimodal evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis: the EP score. J Neurol. 2011;
258:1933-1939 (IF: 3.473, JCR 2011)
6.
Zanusso G, Fiorini M, Ferrari S, Gajofatto A, Cagnin A, Galassi A, Richelli S, Monaco S.
Cerebrospinal fluid markers in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Int J Mol Sci.
2011;12(9):6281-92 (IF: 2.598, JCR 2011)
7.
Gajofatto A, Bongianni M, Zanusso G, Benedetti MD, Monaco S. Are cerebrospinal fluid
biomarkers useful in predicting the prognosis of multiple sclerosis patients? Int J Mol
Sci 2011; 12(11):7960-70 (IF: 2.598, JCR 2011)
8.
Bertolasi L, Acler M, Dall'ora E, Gajofatto A, Frasson E, Tocco P, Turri M, Ferlisi M, Fiorini M,
Pimazzoni F, Squintani G, Martini M, Danzi B, Monaco S. Risk factors for post-polio syndrome
among an Italian population: a case-control study. Neurol Sci. 2012; 33(6):1271-5 (IF:
1.412, JCR 2012)
9.
Monaco S, Ferrari S, Gajofatto A, Zanusso G, Mariotto S. HCV-Related Nervous System
Disorders. Clin Dev Immunol. 2012; 2012:236148. Epub 2012 Jul 30 (IF: 3.064, JCR 2012)
10. Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD. Prognostic factors of acute partial transverse myelitis. Arch
Neurol. 2012; 69:1523 (IF: 7.584; JCR 2011)
11. Turatti M, Gajofatto A, Bianchi MR, Ferrari S, Monaco S, Benedetti MD. Benign course of
tumour-like multiple sclerosis: report of five cases and literature review. J Neurol Sci.
2013; 324(1-2):156-62 (IF: 2.243; JCR 2012)
12. Gajofatto A, Stefani A, Turatti M, Bianchi MR, Gomez Lira M, Moretto G, Salviati A, Benedetti
MD. Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Verona, Italy: an epidemiologic and genetic
study. Eur J Neurol. 2013; 20(4):697-703 (IF: 4.162; JCR 2012)
13. Bertolasi L, Frasson E, Turri M, Gajofatto A, Bordignon M, Zanolin E, Martini M, Pimazzoni F,
Ferlisi M, Zanusso G, Rossi M, Monaco S. A randomized controlled trial of IV
immunoglobulin in patients with postpolio syndrome. J Neurol Sci. 2013; 330(1-2):94-9
(IF: 2.243; JCR 2012)
14. Gajofatto A, Bongianni M, Zanusso G, Bianchi MR, Turatti M, Benedetti MD, Monaco S. Clinical
and biomarker assessment of demyelinating events suggesting multiple sclerosis. Acta
Neurol Scand. 2013; 128:336-344 (IF: 2.474; JCR 2012)
15. Gajofatto A, Calabrese M, Benedetti MD, Monaco S. Clinical, MRI, and CSF markers of
disability progression in multiple sclerosis. Dis Markers 2013;35(6):687-99 (IF: 2.140; JCR
2012)
16. Gajofatto A, Bianchi MR, Deotto L, Benedetti MD. Are Natalizumab and Fingolimod
analogous second-line options for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple
sclerosis? A clinical practice observational study. Eur Neurol. 2014;72:173-180 (IF: 1.362;
JCR 2013)
17. Gajofatto A, Gobbin F, Piffer S, Calabria F, Forlivesi S, Fenzi F, Barbieri A, Lunardi C, Monaco S,
Benedetti MD. Two Sisters with Leukoencephalopathy, Hearing Loss and Retinopathy: A
Familial Case of Susac's Syndrome? Br J Med Med Res 2014; 4(36):5818-5824
18. Calabrese M, Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD. Therapeutic strategies for relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis: a special focus on reduction of grey matter damage as measured by
brain atrophy. Expert Rev Neurother. 2014;14(12):1417-28. (IF: 2.834; JCR 2013)
19. Calabrese M, Gajofatto A, Gobbin F, Sala F, Turri G, Richelli S, Matinella A, Oliboni ES, Benedetti
MD, Monaco S. Late-onset multiple sclerosis presenting with cognitive dysfunction and
cortical/infratentorial atrophy. Mult Scler. 2015;21(5):580-89 (IF: 4.863; JCR 2013)
20. Gandolfi M, Munari D, Geroin C, Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD, Midiri A, Carla F, Picelli A, Waldner
A, Smania N. Sensory integration balance training in patients with multiple sclerosis: a
randomized, controlled trial. Mult Scler. 2015 Jan 12 [Epub ahead of print] (IF: 4.863; JCR
2013)
21. Matinella A, Lanzafame M, Bonometti MA, Gajofatto A, Concia E, Vento S, Monaco S, Ferrari S.
Neurological complications of HIV infection in pre-HAART and HAART era: a
retrospective study. J Neurol. 2015;262(5):1317-27 (IF: 3.841; JCR 2013)
22. Mattarozzi K, Casini F, Baldini M, Baldin E, Lugaresi A, Milani P, Pietrolongo E, Gajofatto A,
Leone M, Riise T, Vignatelli L, D’Alessandro R, on behalf of G.E.Ro.N.I.Mu.S. group. Assessing
subjective quality of life domains after multiple sclerosis diagnosis disclosure. Health
Expect. 2015 Apr 24 [Epub ahead of print] (IF: 2.852; JCR 2013)
23. Gajofatto A, Turatti M, Bianchi MR, Forlivesi S, Gobbin F, Azzarà A, Monaco S, Benedetti MD.
Benign multiple sclerosis: physical and cognitive impairment follow distinct
evolutions. Acta Neurol Scand. 2015 May 26 [Epub ahead of print] (IF: 2.474; JCR 2012)
24. Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD. Treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis: when to start,
when to change, when to stop? World J Clin Cases 2015 Jul 16 [Epub ahead of print]
25. Calabrese M, Reynolds R, R. Magliozzi R, Castellaro M, Morra M, Scalfari A, Farina G, Romualdi C,
Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD, Monaco S. Regional distribution and evolution of gray matter
damage in different populations of multiple sclerosis patients. Plos One; accepted (IF:
3.234, JCR 2014)
26. Mariotto S, Ferrari S, Sorio M, Benedetti F, Tridente G, Cavallaro T, Gajofatto A, Monaco S.
Brentuximab vedotin: axonal microtubule's Apollyon. Blood Cancer J; accepted (IF:
3.467, JCR 2014)
Abstracts
Gomez-Lira M, Ottaviani S, Mazzola S, Salviati A, Gajofatto A, Turri E, Fiumani A, Deotto L,
Moretto G, Rizzuto N, Benedetti MD. A Case-control study of myelin oligodendrocyte
glycoprotein and CD45 polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis in Verona, Italy. Annals of
Neurology 2004; 56(suppl8):S31-32
Turri E, Ottaviani S, Rasia S, Gajofatto A, Moretto G, Rizzuto N, Benedetti MD. Prognostic
indicators of “benign” clinical course in multiple sclerosis patients. Neurological
Sciences 2004; 25(suppl):s151-s152
Turatti M, Rasia S, Turri E, Gajofatto A, Zanusso G, Monaco S, Rizzuto N, Benedetti MD. Tumorlike multiple sclerosis: three cases misdiagnosed as primary brain neoplasm.
Neurological Sciences 2005; 26(suppl):s267
Rossi F, Invernizzi P, Rasia S, Turri E, Turatti M, Gajofatto A, Bonetti B, Rizzuto N, Benedetti MD.
A case of multifocal CIS with unusual MRI features suggestive of Balo’s concentric
sclerosis. Neurological Sciences 2006; 27(suppl):s190
Gajofatto A, High A, Waubant E. Impact of switching first-line disease-modifying therapy
after treatment failure in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Annals of Neurology
2007; 62(suppl11):S69-70
Gajofatto A, Bacchetti P, Grimes B, High A, Waubant E. Demographic and clinical predictors
of response to interferon beta and glatiramer acetate as first-line treatment for
relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13(suppl2):S57-58
Mowry E, Gajofatto A, Blasco MR, Castillo-Trivino T, Chabas D, Waubant E. Long lesions on
initial spinal cord MRI predict a final diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
versus multiple sclerosis in children. Neurology 2008; 70(suppl1)
Gajofatto A, Monaco S, Fiorini M, Zanusso G, Vedovello M, Rossi F, Turatti M, Benedetti MD.
Increased cerebrospinal fluid cystatin C may predict disability after acute myelitis.
Annals of Neurology 2009; 66 (suppl13):s36
Vedovello M, Invernizzi P, Rossi F, Turatti M, Gajofatto A, Toniolo M, Vassanelli C, Morando G,
Benedetti MD. Acute cardiovascular dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: report of two cases
and literature review. Neuroepidemiology 2009; 33:198
Gajofatto A, Fiorini M, Monaco S, Turatti M, Bianchi MR, Fiaschi A, Benedetti MD. Predicting the
natural course of clinically isolated syndromes: an exploratory study of cerebrospinal
fluid biomarkers. Multiple Sclerosis 2010; 16(suppl10):S347
Castillo-Trivino T, Gajofatto A, Waubant E. Clinical and demographic predictors of response
to first-line therapies in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2011; 76
(suppl4)
Bianchi MR, Gajofatto A, Turatti M, Richelli S, Fiaschi A, Benedetti MD. An active case of
radiologically isolated syndrome: from MRI detection to multiple sclerosis. Neurological
Sciences 2011; 32 (suppl): s100-s101 (42° Congresso della Società Italiana di Neurologia, Torino)
Gajofatto A, Bongianni M, Fiorini M, Zanusso G, Bianchi MR, Richelli S, Turatti M, Benedetti MD,
Monaco S. A panel of exploratory CSF biomarkers in patients with an initial
demyelinating event of the CNS: does it add relevant information to usual work-up?
Neurology 2012; 78 (suppl)
Zanusso G, Fiorini M, Gajofatto A, Monaco S. Physicochemical properties of Aβ peptides in
cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease 2012;
29 (suppl.1):99
Turri M, Bertolasi L, Frasson E, Acler M, Ferlisi M, Pimazzoni, Gajofatto A, Didonè G, Bordignon M,
Vicentini S, Dall'ora E, Brigo F, Fiaschi A, Martini M, Danzi B, Monaco S. Intravenous
immunoglobulin for post-polio syndrome: a randomized double-blind, placebocontrolled study. European Journal of Neurology 2012; 19 (suppl.1):275
Gajofatto A, Stefani A, Turatti M, Bianchi MR, Gomez Lira M, Salviati A, Benedetti MD.
Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Verona, Italy: an epidemiologic and genetic study.
Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2012; 18 (suppl.4):313-314
Gajofatto A, Bianchi MR, Benedetti MD. Natalizumab or fingolimod for relapsing-remitting
multiple sclerosis: a prospective study. Neurological Sciences 2013; 34 (suppl): s314-315
Gobbin F, Gajofatto A, Piffer S. Fenzi F, Benedetti MD, Monaco S. Two sisters with
leukoencephalopathy, hearing loss and retinopathy: a familial case of Susac's
syndrome? Neurological Sciences 34 (suppl): s337-338
Calabrese M, Gobbin F, Turri G, Richelli S, Matinella A, Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD, Monaco S.
Cognitive onset in multiple sclerosis. Neurological Sciences 2013; 34 (suppl): s392
Gajofatto A, Bianchi MR, Turatti M, Forlivesi S, Gobbin F, Monaco S, Benedetti MD. Physical
disability and cognitive impairment evolution in benign multiple sclerosis: a five years
prospective study. Mult Scler 2014; 20 (Suppl)
Calabrese M, Reynolds R, Magliozzi R, Castellaro M, Scalfari A, Howell OW, Morra M, Farina G,
Romualdi C, Gajofatto A, Benedetti MD, Monaco S. Regional distribution and evolution of
grey matter changes in different MS phenotypes: a 5-year longitudinal study. Mult Scler
2014; 20 (Suppl)
Calabrese M, Gasperini C, Tortorella C, Malucchi S, Ragonese P, De Luca G, Fantozzi R, Lo Fermo S,
Boffa L, Paolicelli D, Gajofatto A, Pesci I, Annovazzi P, Cordioli C, Lanzillo R, Giorgio A, Gallo A,
Tomassini V, Frisullo G, Prosperini L, Cocco E, Rodegher M, Solaro C. The diagnosis of multiple
sclerosis: pinpointing the concept of "no better explanation". Mult Scler 2014; 20 (Suppl)
Gajofatto A, Bongianni M, Zanoni M, Forlivesi S, Calabrese M, Turatti M, Monaco S, Benedetti MD.
Correlation between cerebrospinal fluid markers of neurodegeneration and MRI
measures of gray matter pathology in multiple sclerosis. Neurol Sci 2014; Suppl
Forlivesi S, Gajofatto A, Bianchi MR, Calabrese M, Milano E, Sgaramella TM, Monaco S, Benedetti
MD. Long-term clinical, cognitive and MRI characteristics of patients with untreated
benign multiple sclerosis: a natural history study. Neurol Sci 2014; Suppl
CITATION OVERVIEW (source: Scopus, accessed on August 4th, 2015)
Total number of citations: 174
H-index: 7
August 4th, 2015