RESEARCH GROUPS

Pediatric Neurology

Overview

Team

Publications

Patents

Dissemination

19

Number of publications

57.89
%

% Q1

31.58
%

% D1

31.58
%

% Leadership

50.00
%

% Female Leadership

1.52

CROWN (2021-2025)

13.04
%

HCP10% (2021-2025)

84.21
%

% Open access

78.95
%

% International Collaboration

2

Highly cited papers / HCP 1% (2021-2025)

2

Publications in high-IF journals with high Altmetric scores

0

Number of Ongoing Projectes (total)

0

International ongoing projects

0

Number of New projects (total)

0

International new projects

12

Number of Active clinical Trials

0

Number of New Clinical Trials

0

Number of Theses

The group aims to improve the quality of life of children and adolescents with rare neurological disorders, focusing on personalized approaches 1.      Neuromuscular disorders: We are involved in several pivotal clinical trials for novel therapies targeting spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We also lead natural history studies for LAMA2-related dystrophies and collaborated in basic research for improved strategies. 2.      Neurometabolic Disorders: Clinical trials of novel cell and gene-targeted therapies for lysosomal and other ultrarare diseases. Implementation of extended newborn screening. 3.      Precision Diagnosis: We continuously re-analyze genomic data from over 150 families with neurogenetic disorders. Optical genome mapping in undiagnosed cases. 4.      Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE): Analysis of an early-onset DEE cohort cases to uncover novel genes and expanded phenotypes, advancing understanding of its molecular basis.

CORE/MISSIONS

  • Innovative & Advanced Therapies

PROGRAMS

Group Leader

Alfons Macaya Ruiz

Principal Investigator (PI)

Francina Munell Casadesús, Mireia del Toro Riera

Researchers

Gabriela Urcuyo, Miquel Raspall Chaure, Ana Felipe Rucián, Mireia Álvarez Molinero

PhD Students

Laura Costa Comellas, Júlia Sala Cormina

Kwon JM, Munell F, Le Goff L, Yuge K, Kato T, Cances C, De Waele L, Woodcock IR, Mercuri EM, Proud CM, Darras BT, Hayes LH, Oskoui M, Visootsak J, Williams G, Ilić A, Yang L, van der Pol WL
Intrathecal onasemnogene abeparvovec for treatment-experienced patients with spinal muscular atrophy: a phase 3b, open- label trial
Nat Med. Epub 2025 Dec 8.
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-025-04119-2
IF: 50

Laurie S, Steyaert W, de Boer E, Polavarapu K, Schuermans N, Sommer AK, Demidov G, Ellwanger K, Paramonov I, Thomas C, Aretz S, Baets J, Benetti E, Bullich G, Chinnery PF, Clayton-Smith J, Cohen E, Danis D, de Sainte Agathe JM, Denommé-Pichon AS, Diaz-Manera J, Efthymiou S, Faivre L, Fernandez-Callejo M, Freeberg M, Garcia-Pelaez J, Guillot-Noel L, Haack TB, Hanna M, Hengel H, Horvath R, Houlden H, Jackson A, Johansson L, Johari M, Kamsteeg EJ, Kellner M, Kleefstra T, Lacombe D, Lochmüller H, López-Martín E, Macaya A, Marcé-Grau A, Maver A, Morsy H, Muntoni F, Musacchia F, Nelson I, Nigro V, Olimpio C, Oliveira C, Paulasová Schwabová J, Pauly MG, Peterlin B, Peters S, Pfundt R, Piluso G, Piscia D, Posada M, Reich S, Renieri A, Ryba L, Šablauskas K, Savarese M, Schöls L, Schütz L, Steinke-Lange V, Stevanin G, Straub V, Sturm M, Swertz MA,Tartaglia M, Te Paske IBAW, Thompson R, Torella A, Trainor C, Udd B, Van de Vondel L, van de Warrenburg B, van Reeuwijk J, Vandrovcova J, Vitobello A, Vos J, Vyhnálková E, Wijngaard R, Wilke C, William D, Xu J, Yaldiz B, Zalatnai L, Zurek B; Solve-RD DITF-GENTURIS; Solve-RD DITF-ITHACA; Solve-RD DITF-EURO-NMD; Solve-RD DITF-RND; Solve-RD consortium; Brookes AJ, Evangelista T, Gilissen C, Graessner H, Hoogerbrugge N, Ossowski S, Riess O, Schüle R, Synofzik M, Verloes A, Matalonga L, Brunner HG, Lohmann K, de Voer RM, Töpf A, Vissers LELM, Beltran S, Hoischen A
Genomic reanalysis of a pan-European rare-disease resource yields new diagnoses
Nat Med. 2025 Feb;31(2):478-489.
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03420-w
IF: 50

McDonald CM, Guglieri M, Vučinić D, Acsadi G, Brandsema JF, Bruno C, Finanger EL, Harper A, Lobato ML, Masson R, Muelas N, Munell F, Nevo Y, Péréon Y, Phan H, Sansone VA, Scoto M, Willis T, Finkel RS, Vandenborne K, Cazzaniga S, Montrasio S, Alessi F, Bettica P, Mercuri E; Givinostat Study 51 Investigators; Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG) Duchenne Natural History Study (DNHS) Investigators; ImagingDMD Investigators. Long-Term Evaluation of Givinostat in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Natural History Comparisons
Long-Term Evaluation of Givinostat in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Natural History Comparisons
Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2025 Nov;12(11):2335-2348
DOI: 10.1002/acn3.70165
IF: 4.4

Hildonen M, Ciolfi A, Ferilli M, Cappelletti C, Al Alam C, Amor DJ, Barakat TS, Benoit V, Birk OS, Callewaert B, Cazurro-Gutiérrez A, De Wachter M, Doco- Fenzy M, Gómez-Puertas P, Hammer TB, Jamra RA, Kaiyrzhanov R, Kameyama S, Keren B, Kresge C, Krey I, Lederer D, Marcos-Alcalde I, Maroofian R, Matsumoto N, Mizuguchi T, Moey LH, Morgan A, Munell F, Platzer K, Pletcher BA, Ros-Pardo D, Rumping L, Szakszon K, Van Schil K, Verdura E, Vogt J, Wassmer E, Zamani M, Tümer Z, Tartaglia M
Biallelic loss-of-function variants in ZNF142 are associated with a robust DNA methylation signature affecting a limited number of genomic loci
Eur J Hum Genet. 2025 Jul;33(7):896-903
DOI: 10.1038/s41431-025-01876-z
IF: 5.2

Tucci F, Uria Oficialdegui ML, Consiglieri G, Cossutta M, Filisetti C, Fumagalli F, Butera C, Santangelo R, Colombo M, Manitto MP, Stoppani M, Martina E, Danè G, Camesasca C, Risca G, De Pellegrin M, Scarparo S, Sarzana M, Puricelli C, Galimberti S, Darin S, Silvani P, Bonanomi S, Gasperini S, Naldini L, Gentner B, Parini R, Del Toro M, Diaz-de-Heredia C, Aiuti A, Bernardo ME
Non-neurological, non-skeletal outcomes after hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-gene therapy (OTL-203) for Hurler syndrome
Mol Ther. 2026 Jan 7;34(1):443-454
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2025.09.042
IF: 20.1

Congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A: inhibition of fibrosis and correction by gene editing
Principal Investigator: Jordi Barquinero Máñez
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 117,000 €
Period: 2023-2026

Longitudinal validation of the mSPRS, FARS-ADL (PROM), selected performance outcomes, comprehensive set of anchor measures
Principal Investigator: Rebeca Schüle / Alfons Macaya
Agency: ERN-RND internal funding, ERDERA
Funding: 50,000 €
Period: 2024-2026

V Curso de NEUROLOGÍA PEDIÁTRICA: Controversias en Neuropediatría
Place: Campus Vall d'Hebron, VHIR
Date: 30-31/10/2025
Brief: A well established course for both staff and trainees in the pediatric neurosciences. This edition targeted controversial issues in clinical practice including newborn screening, new genetic therapies and personalized medicine in both rare and common neurological disorders

VII Jornada Gallega de Enfermedades Neuromusculares
Place: Vigo, Hotel NH
Date: 14-15/11/2025
Brief: Under the auspice of ASEM-Galicia, a meeting of clinicians and basic scientists with patients, families and other care providers