His current research interest is the clinical, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of primary headaches, particularly migraine. He has authored 110 peer reviewed articles in the fields of neuropharmacology, neurogenetics and clinical neurology and has an H-index of 22. He is an ad hoc reviewer for several journals in the field including Cephalalgia, Headache, Journal of Headache and Pain, European Journal of Neurology, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, and Neurological Sciences. He has led as principal investigator 43 phase IIb, III and IV pharmacological clinical trials on headaches, pain, dementia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and movement disorders. He is a scientific consultant for the TV program Geo on Rai3.

Prof. Piero Barbanti is in charge of the IRCCS San Raffaele Headache and Pain Diagnosis and Therapy Center at which, in a short time, the patient can undergo a general medical examination, a neurological examination, any diagnostic tests that the specialist deems appropriate, and a careful and thorough interview that will allow reconstructing the specific characteristics of a certain type of headache. Therapies for headaches must take into account each individual patient’s medical and psychological history, and thus must be highly individualized.

Dedicated to adults and children, the Headache and Pain Diagnosis and Therapy Center represents one of the first nationwide initiatives in rehabilitation aimed at functional pain rehabilitation. Addresses the treatment of patients, both adults and children, with migraine, chronic headaches and chronic algias.

According to the World Health Organization, migraine is among the top 12 most disabling diseases of humankind. Twelve percent of adults worldwide suffer from it. In Italy, 6 million people struggle with headaches. Three-quarters are women. The severity of migraine attacks can vary greatly but is never mild; typical symptoms include sensitivity to light, noise, and motion and nausea and vomiting in addition to the headache.

In the San Raffaele Headache Center, the patient is followed up, with an initially diagnostic approach: the characteristics of the headache are identified, genetic, neurophysiological, and neuroradiological investigation of the origin of the pain is carried out where necessary.

This is followed by the therapeutic phase, which takes into account the physical, psychological and pharmacological rehabilitation aspect (including weaning in cases of drug abuse), up to close follow-up through dedicated outpatient clinics.

The center also treats headache and migraine in children. Migraines affect 5-10% of children who suffer from headaches. It usually manifests as a throbbing, rather severe pain. Younger children experience pain on both sides of the head. The older ones feel it on one side only. Migraine attacks in children are less long lasting than in adults. They can last from two hours to two days. They are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some children may also have aura, which is a series of visual discomforts (twinkles, spots) that precede the attack.

Book your consultation with Prof. Barbanti in Rome now:

Call the CUP at 06 5225 2555