Neural correlates of object and spatial visual cognitive styles. Psychological and electroencephalographic assessment.

The research proposal is part of the Ph.D. research developed by Linda Buondonno, tutored by Prof. A. Giachetta, and it's designed together with Arch. Ph.D. Gaia Leandri, Prof. Angelo Schenone, Prof. Massimo Leandri, Prof. Manila Vannucci and Prof. Carlo Chiorri. The aim of the study is to find out how mental images and digital tools for design work together. The study we propose represents a multidisciplinary collaboration that expands the methodology of the case study presented in the previous section, following a neurological methodology validated through the research conducted by Ph.D. Gaia Leandri, Prof. Angelo Schenone and Prof. Massimo Leandri. We seek insight into the neural correlates of different visual cognitive styles using electroencephalography. We believe this can be a forerunner approach for future research on the design process, that can benefit from both the contributions of psychological research and neurophysiology methodology. Hypotheses, details of the methodology, and expected results will be discussed. To date, we are completing Phase 1 of the study

Glucocorticoids in the management of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Glucocorticoids have been the mainstay of treatment for many years in systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), causing important side effects and some difficulties in the management of this disease. Until the introduction of biologic agents, oral glucocorticoids were used to control fever and other systemic features for several months or even years if systemic manifestations persisted. Nowadays, clinicians have valid alternatives that have revolutionized the natural history of sJIA. Biologic agents, such as the interleukin-1 inhibitors anakinra and the more recent canakinumab, or the interleukin-6 inhibitor tocilizumab, have improved the prognosis of this debilitating disease. Glucocorticoids still have to be considered at the onset of disease when a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy fails or when there are life-threatening complications such as severe anemia or pericarditis, or macrophage activation syndrome. Local (intra-articular) triamcinolone hexacetonide is the treatment of choice for arthritis limited to one joint or a few joints in patients without systemic activity. To date, there is still great heterogeneity in the management of sJIA patients, but in recent years there have been attempts to design algorithms and treatment protocols for glucocorticoids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and biologic agents. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of glucocorticoid therapy in sJIA, comments on recently published recommendations, and gives practical support to the clinician for management of this disease