Carlo Miniussi

1999 February 19^th. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Neuroscience “Dottorato di ricerca” 4 years course. University of Verona, School of Medicine, Verona, Italy.
1994 July 6^th. Master of Science degree (MSc) in Experimental Psychology "Laurea specialistica ora magistrale", University of Padua, School of Psychology, Padua, Italy.
 

Work - Research experience - present

• 2016 June–present. Full Professor of Physiology: Human Neurophysiology (SSD BIO/09; 05/D1). Center for Mind/Brain Sciences – CIMeC & Centre for Medical Sciences – CISMed, University of Trento, Rovereto TN Italy. http://web.unitn.it/en/cimec
• 2022 September –present. Scientific Board Member Italian Society of Psychophysiology and Cognitive Neuroscience
• 2021 September –present. Executive Board Member Master II livello Intelligenza Artificiale, Mente, Impresa. Università di Brescia
• 2021 July–present. Member of the University Trento Commission for Open Science.
• 2021 January–present. Steering Group and Kickoff Committee Member of the Italian Reproducibility Network ITRN https://www.itrn.org/home-page.
• 2018 January–present. Coordinator of the Think Open @ CIMeC project, an Open Science initiative.
• 2016 September–present. Member of the PhD course in “Cognitive and Brain Sciences” University of Trento, Rovereto TN Italy.
• 2016 June–present. Coordinator of Transcranial Brain Stimulation (TBS) lab at CIMeC  Functional Neuroimaging Laboratories, Via delle Regole 101 – 38123, Mattarello TN Italy.http://www.cimec.unitn.it/en/180/transcranial-brain-stimulation-lab-tbs-lab

Work - Research experience - past

• 2018 June–2022 December. Italian Coordinator for the India-Trento Programme for Advanced Research – ITPAR. Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Republic of India Department of Science & Technology and University of Trento, Italy. https://www.unitn.it/en/ateneo/54947/india-trento-programme-for-advanced-research
• 2016 October–2022 September. Director/Head Center for Mind/Brain Sciences – CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto TN Italy and Member Council of Department Directors.
• 2016 February – 2019. Visiting Professor, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
• 2014 November– 2016 October. Member of the PhD course in “Psychology, Linguistics and Cognitive Neuroscience” and “Neuroscience” Bicocca University, Milan Italy.
• 2013 June – 2016 May. Full Professor of Physiology: Human Neurophysiology. Neuroscience Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, School of Medicine. University of Brescia, Brescia Italy.
• 2012 July – 2012 November. Research Affiliate, Faculty of Science, Sydney University, Sydney Australia.
• 2011 October – 2012 April. Visiting Professor, School of Psychology Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin Ireland.
• 2011 July–2017 December. Research Associate of the Neuroenhancement for Inequalities in Elder Lives NIEL Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Dublin, Ireland
• 2008 January – 2015 December. Long term collaborator Faculty Member, Sector of Cognitive Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (ISAS/SISSA), Trieste Italy. http://www.sissa.it/cns/people.html.
• 2008 January – 2013 December. Member of the National Institute of Neuroscience (INN), a consortium formed by a number of neuroscience research university centres, Italy.
• 2005 March – 2013 May. Associate Professor of Human Physiology, Neurophysiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Physiology Section, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia Italy.
• 2005 January – 2015 February. Coordinator for the “Psychologists Internship”, at The Saint John of God hospital and Clinical Research Centre – IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia Italy.
• 2002 January – 2005 February. Coordinator of a full research line “Neuropsycophysiology” at The Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre – IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia Italy.
• 2001 November – 2005 February. Aggregate Professor of Neurophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia Italy.
• 2001 January – 2008 February. Head of the Neuropsychology laboratory, The Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre – IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia Italy.
• 2000 January – 2013 December. Associate Member of the Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological Morphological and Motor Sciences, Physiology Section, School of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona Italy.
• 2000 February – 2019 December. Head of the Cognitive Neuroscience Section at IRCCS. Translational research fellowship from the Italian Health Ministry. The Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre – IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4 - 25125, Brescia, Italy
• 1997 November – 2000 January. Research Associate and Postdoctoral Research Associate, Brain & Cognition Laboratory, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford United Kingdom. Coordinator: Prof A.C. Nobre.
• 1994 November – 1997 October. PhD student with fellowship, Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, Human Physiology Section, School of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona Italy. Advisor: Prof C.A. Marzi.
• 1993 March – 1994 October. Internship, Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, Human Physiology Section, School of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona Italy. Advisors: Prof C.A. Marzi and Dr M. Prior.

Researcher numbers

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The core of Carlo Miniussi activity is driven by the goal to understand if cortical plasticity (cognitive plasticity) can be induced and manipulated by means of non-invasive brain stimulation in healthy and pathological adult brains, to understand what is the relation between induced synaptic plasticity and cognitive plasticity. He is also interested in the understanding of how cognitive plasticity can be sustained by the activity of a “functional neuronal network” i.e., effective connectivity, and how such connectivity can predicts/underlines the subject behaviour.

The objective of this line of research is to provide an updated overview of what we know about the theoretical models on neurostimulation and neuromodulation techniques (i.e., TMS, transcranial magnetic stimulation and tES, transcranial electrical stimulation), in a more accurate and unitary way. In recent years, there has been a considerable progress in the practical use of these methodologies. Nevertheless, given the complexity and the non-linearity of the effects induced by these techniques, to date, this experimental effort has not been accompanied by a substantial understanding of their mechanisms of action. This understanding will allow us to highlight the basic theoretical (neurophysiological) aspects that must be considered in future researches in this field. We systematically study how the modification of some parameters leads to a change in the outcomes, based on the theoretical “network-activity-dependent model”. The idea is that the activity of the system, the state of the network involved in the task and the stimulation parameters will produce a specific result.

The final goal of this research line is to reach a more conscious application of these techniques, both for the study of the main brain functions and for improving the outcomes of rehabilitative approaches in patients with neurodegenerative or psychiatric diseases.

see also Cognition Neurostimulation & Connectivity - CoN&Co

Areas of research

SH4 The Human Mind and its complexity. SH4_4 Cognitive and experimental psychology: perception, action, and higher cognitive processes. SH4_6 Learning, memory; ageing.

LS5 Neurosciences and neural disorders: neurophysiology, neuroimaging, systems neuroscience, neurological disorders. LS5_7 Cognition (e.g., learning, memory).

Keywords: cognitive neuroscience; cognitive plasticity; neuroplasticity; learning; memory; behaviour; connectivity; human neurophysiology; electrophysiology - EEG; non-invasive/transcranial brain stimulation – NIBS/TBS; transcranial magnetic stimulation – TMS; transcranial electrical stimulation – tES: tDCS; tACS; tRNS; coregistration TMS-EEG; multimodal imaging.

Publication areas: Neuroscience; Clinical Neurology; Neuroimaging; Behavioural Sciences; Psychology Experimental.

Carlo Miniussi is an expert in the study of cognitive functions and in the use of electroencephalography and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to explore and understand the neural systems that support cognitive functions in the human brain. He has extensive experience in the development and application of behavioural and cognitive paradigms, specifically in the area of attention and memory. He has also practical working experience with multiple neuroimaging and neurophysiological methodologies (EEG, TMS, tES), as well as integrated brain functional imaging (co- registration TMS-EEG; tDCS-EEG).

Commissions of trust 

2020–present. COST Action: CA20104 - Network on evidence-based physical activity in old age Member of the Management Committee member for Italy

2018–present. Member of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN) Special Interest Group (SIG) on Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NBS)

2008–present. Member of an International group of experts “Safety of TMS Consensus Group”

2020–2022. Member of the European Task Force for Brain Health Services

2020–2022. Italian Space Agency (ASI) member of Thematic Tables of national experts in the macro-areas of Life Sciences of Space interest: Integrated Physiology

22018–2022. Member of the Monitoring Committee project “Departments of Excellence” Dept. of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara

2015–2017 Member of the Group of Experts of Evaluation of Research Quality (VQR) 2011-14 for the Biological area 05. Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes, Rome Italy

2013–2015 President of the Italian Society of Psychophysiology (President elected 2011–2013; President 2013–2015; past President 2015–2017)

2009–2011 Board Member as Auditor of the Italian Society of Psychophysiology

2007–2015 Member of the Ethical Committee of the International School for Advanced Studies, Trieste Italy

Memberships ● Collegio dei Fisiologi; ● Italian Reproducibility Network; ● Società Italiana di Neuropsicologia (SINP); ● Società Italiana di Psicofisiologia e Neuroscienze Cognitive (SIPF).

Editorial Board

2022 – present Editorial Board: European Review of Aging and Physical Activity– BMC Nature Springer

2013 – present Editorial Board: Brain Topography - Springer

● 2015 – 2023 Editorial Board: Scientific Reports – Nature Springer; ● 2015 – 2023 Editorial Board: Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience – Frontiers; ● 2013 – 2016 Editorial Board: Journal of Neurorestoratology; ● 2011 – 2015 Editorial Board: BioMed Research International – Physiology; ● 2010 – 2015 Editorial Board: Neuropsychological Trends; ● 2011 – 2014 Editorial Board: The Scientific World Journal – Neurology; ● 2011 – 2013 Editorial Board: Open Journal of Medical Imaging.

Guest Associate Editor ● Frontiers in Psychology 2017-18; ● Frontiers in Perception Science; ● European Psychologist 2015-16; ● Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014-15; ● Neuropsychological Rehabilitation 2011.

2013 Behavioural Neurology Highlights in the Field -selected as- Paper presented at the American Academy of Neurology.

2012 Honorary Member of the Italian Neuropsychological Association.

2011 Editor's Choice Award for the best paper published in Human Brain Mapping.

2010 June Qualification for Full Professorship of Human Physiology, by a National committee at the School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Catanzaro, Italy.

2004 January Qualification for Associate Professorship of Human Physiology, by a National committee at the School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.

2001 September Award best scientific contribution; 3rd Congress of the AFaR.

1997 Project award; 12 months’ grant to examining the neurophysiological and behavioural correlates of attention from the USL Verona, Italy.

1996 Travel award; NATO, Advanced Study Institute; to attend “The Role of the Humans Corpus Callosum in Sensory Motor Integration: Anatomy, Physiology and Behaviour; Individual Differences and Clinical Application”.

1996 Travel award; European Neuroscience Meeting.

1996 Travel grant award; Euroconference: Processing Modes in the mind/brain, at the International School for Advanced Studies Trieste, Italy.

1995 Award best scientific contribution poster; Congress of the Italian Society of Neuroscience (SIN).

1995 Award best scientific contribution from the Italian Society of Neuropsychology (SINP).

1994 Awarded a four-year Italian Post-Graduate Research Scholarship.

Author or co-author of more than 600 abstracts, presentations at Congresses / Symposia / Seminars / Workshops / Schools.

see CV

Scientific organization of the following Symposia/workshops

Organizer board of the III Transcranial Brain Stimulation in Cognitive Neuroscience Workshop. Rovereto, 2-3 December 2022.

Congress Symposium:. 22th Congress of Italian Society of Psychophysiology and Cognitive Neruoscience,  Towards an open and reproducible science: Italian Reproducibility Network Palermo, 30 September -2 October 2021.

Organizer of the II Transcranial Brain Stimulation in Cognitive Neuroscience Workshop. on-line streaming Rovereto, 3-4 December 2020 (300 participants).

Member of the International Scientific Advisory Board 7th International Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Conference in Baden-Baden Germany 2020.

Member of the scientific advisory board of the 20th World Congress of Psychophysiology (IOP 2020) Chengdu, China, 1-5 September, (2020 to 21).

Organizer of the Think Open Rovereto Workshop on-line streaming Rovereto July 10-11, 2020.

Member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) Roma, Italy 9-13 June 2019.

Co-Organizer of the Adriatica Summer School: Body, senses and neural oscillations, an integrated approach to human perception and behaviour Pescara, 6-7 June 2019.

Organizer of the Transcranial Brain Stimulation in Cognitive Neuroscience Workshop. (130 participants) Rovereto, 6-7 December 2018.

Organizer of the Ten years of Mind/Brain Sciences at University of Trento How the past can determine our future. International Symposium (400 participants). Rovereto, 20-21 October 2017.

Congress Symposium: Global approach to brain activity: from psychophysiology to cognition 22th Congresso Nazionale AIP dellaSezione di Psicologia Sperimentale, Roma, 20-22 September 2016.

Methodological Workshop Transcranial Electric Stimulation Center for Mind/Brain Sciences - CIMeC Rovereto 7 July 2016.

Congress Symposium: Integrating advanced neuroimaging, neurostimulation and behaviour to explore brain connectivity. 23th Congress of Italian Society of Psychophysiology, Lucca, 19-21 November 2015.

Organizer of the International Symposium: Neuroplasticity and Neurorehabilitation: The motor system. University of Brescia 5 December 2014.

Congress Symposium: Horizons in neurorehabilitation. 22th Congress of Italian Society of Psychophysiology, Florence, 27-29 November 2014.

Pre-congress Workshop: New Techniques in Psychophysiology; Fondazione don Gnocchi Florence 26 November 2014.

Methodological Workshop: Transcranial Electric Stimulation IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia 25-26 September 2014.

National Symposium: The new frontiers of research in cognitive neuroscience: from neuromodulation to the NIRS; IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia, 26-28 June 2014.

International Symposium “Non-invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation (tDCS, tACS, tRNS): Basic and Applied Research” University of Brescia 30 September 2013.

Methodological Workshop Transcranial Electric Stimulation IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia 8 July 2013.

International Symposium: Multimodal Approach in the study of cortical connectivity IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia 1 July 2013.

XIX Congress of Italian Psychophysiology Society (Congress President and Organizer), Brescia, 14-16 November 2011. 

Congress Symposium. Cortical plasticity: new frontiers of neurorehabilitation, and High frequency brain oscillatory activity; Congress of Italian Psychophysiology Society, Palermo, 24-26 November 2010.

National Workshop. Transcranial electrical stimulation, new prospects: from bench to the bed site; IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia, 12 November 2010.

Congress Symposium. TMS-EEG co-registration and cortico-cortical connectivity; Congress of Italian Psychophysiology Society, Siena, 28-31 October 2009.

International Workshop. Physiological basis and clinical application of TMS and correlated methods; Roma, 26-27 October 2007. President ad organizer.

Congress Symposium. Cognitive psychology and Neurosciences; Congress of the Italian Experimental Psychology Society, Como, 17-19 September 2007.

International Workshop. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cognitive Neurosciences; IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia, 21 October 2005. President ad organizer (160 participants).

International Workshop. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Cognitive Neurosciences; IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia, 15 October 2004. President ad organizer (160 participants).

Carlo Miniussi was educated in Padua, where he received his, MSc in Experimental Psychology in 1994, and in Verona, where he was awarded a PhD in Neuroscience in 1999. He has been a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University for two years. In 2000 he moved to the IRCCS Fatebenefratelli St. John of God in Brescia, Italy, where he became chief of the Neurophysiology Laboratory. In 2001 he became chief also of the Neuropsychology Laboratory and was appointed aggregate Professor of Neurophysiology, at Brescia University. In 2002 he became scientific coordinator of the Neuropsycophysiology research line at the IRCCS Fatebenefratelli. In 2005 (2004 qualification) he was appointed Associate Professor of Human Physiology and took up a chair in the School of Medicine, University of Brescia. At the same time, he established the Cognitive Neuroscience Section comprising the Neurophysiology, Neuropsychology and Sleep laboratories. From the 2005 he coordinates the Cognitive Neuroscience Section at IRCCS St. John of God Research Hospital. From 2007 to 2016 he has been a member of the Ethical Committee of the International School for Advanced Studies SISSA, in Trieste, as well as long term collaborator Faculty Member, Sector of Cognitive Neuroscience for the same school. In the 2011 he becomes President elect of Italian society of Psychophysiology (2013-2015) and Research Associate of Neuroenhancement for Inequalities in Elder Lives, at the Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin. In 2013 (2010 qualification) he was appointed full Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Brescia, where he has been till May 2016. In 2015 he has been appointed by Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes: member of the Group of Experts for the Evaluation of Universities in the Biological area. From 2016 he is Visiting Professor, at Sydney University. From June 2016 he is Professor of Neurophysiology and PI of the Transcranical Brain Stimulation Lab (TBS) at the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences - CIMeC, University of Trento.  From October 2016 to September 2022 he has been Head/Director of the CIMeC - University of Trento