Curriculum

Curriculum


 
PERSONAL DETAILS
Name: Lara Tania Costa
Date of birth: 02/08/1975
Nationality: Italian
Current position: Researcher SSD BIO/09 Physiology-Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine PAD.B II piano, A.O.U. G. Martino, University of Messina, Italy
Current professional address: A.O.U. G. Martino, Padiglione Torre Biologica 5 piano, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina
e-mail: lcosta@unime.it
Scopus Author ID: 23975624900
ORCID: LARA TANIA COSTA (0000-0002-2465-8080) - ORCID | Connecting Research and Researchers

Curriculum vitae
Education and training
2003: Degree Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy,
University of Catania, Italy. Title of thesis: Effetti del peptide intestinale vasoattivo sulla trasmissione sinaptica nell'ippocampo. Supervisors: 
2008: PhD in Motor Science, Department of Phisiological Sciences, University of
Catania. Title of PhD thesis: Effetti modulatori del PACAP (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Actvating Peptide) sulla trasmissione sinaptica mediata da recettori AMPA nell'ippocampo di ratto. 
2004: National habilitation to the profession of Pharmacist. University of Catania, Faculty of Pharmacy 
 
Employment and research experience:
2021-today: participation to research project funded by University of Catania, “Role of dopamine D3 receptors in aging and Alzheimer’s disease”
2017-2019: participation to research project funded by FIR 2014, University of Catania, “Spinal cord processing of nociceptive stimuli in Alzheimer's disease”
2013-2017: participation to research project funded by Telethon foundation.
"Activation of serotonin type 7 (5-HT7) receptors as a novel therapeutic strategy in Fragile X Syndrome" 
2013-2014: participation to research project financed by the FRAXA Research Foundation (U.S.A. call 2013) "Preclinical evaluation of serotonin type 7 (5-HT7) receptor. agonists as novel pharmacological tools in Fragile X Syndrome ". 
2013-2019:  Correlator of thesis at the degree course in chemistry and pharmaceutical technology:
2011-2012: Pharmacist assistant at the Pharmacy Dr. Maria Tomaselli, Via Roma 187 - 95032 Belpasso (CT). Main tasks: dispensing health advice and selling pharmaceuticals; creating galenic and magistral drugs.
2008-2009: Winner of Post-Doctoral research fellowship at the University of Catania, Faculty of Pharmacy, to work on a project entitled: "Modulazione peptidergica della trasmissione sinaptica nell'ippocampo: ricerca di effetti selettivi sulle componenti mediate da recettori AMPA, NMDA, kainato e metabotropi per il glutammato"
2009-2010: Research fellowship in the research project PRIN 2007L92XSP: “Neurotransmitter-mediated regulation of AMPA receptor function in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex in physiological conditions and in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome: an electrophysiological study”, financed by the Italian Ministry of Education and Research (MIUR).
2003-2008: PhD training, in research project PRA: Effetti del peptide PACAP in aree del sistema nervoso centrale coinvolte nel controllo motorio. Department of Phisiological Sciences, University of Catania.
 
 
Review activity
Review Editor in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Cellular Neurophysiology
Revision of grant applications: 2017: Medical Research Council (U.K.), call: MRC-Industry Asset Sharing.
2016- VQR 2011-2014, ANVUR
2017- peer review at MRC Research Grants Board
2018- referral activity for research projects of the University of Verona -Bando di Ateneo Ricerca di Base 2017.
2018-referral activity for research projects JUNIOR Research Grant Proposals of the University of Insubria
Membership to scientific societies:
American Society for Neuroscience (SfN); Italian Society for Physiology (Società Italiana di Fisiologia, SIF).
Technical skills:
Patch clamp technique (preparation of acute brain and spinal cord slices, preparation of cell cultures, whole cell patch clamp recording, electrophysiology data collection, analysis and interpretation); immunohistochemistry and related techniques (intracardiac perfusion; slice preparation with microtome, vibratome or cryostat), animal care. Manuscript preparation.
Teaching experience:
2022:Co-Supervisors in PhD Thesis: Role of 5-HT7 receptors for serotonin in mitochondrial activity and in the pathophysiology of Fragile X Syndrome; Ph.D. in BIOTECHNOLOGY  XXXIV Cycle, DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
 2021:  Professional Training Years Supervisor for students from School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
2018- Invited teacher for specialized teaching course at the Scuola Superiore di Catania a.a. 2017-2018 Title of course: Synaptic dysfunction in cognitive diseases: pathophysiology mechanisms and new therapeutic perspectives; scientific program of the module: 1)The brain serotonin system: serotonergic pathways and receptors. 2) Modulatory role of serotonin on synaptic transmission and plasticity in brain areas involved in learning and memory. 3) Serotonin receptors as pharmacological targets in cognitive diseases.  
2016-present: member of the didactic commission for the Master's Degree Program in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology
Coordinator of the Integrated Course Morphological and functional bases for the Degree Course in Physiotherapy
Coordinator of the Integrated Course of Biochemical and Pathophysiological Sciences for the Degree Course in Audioprothesic Techniques.
Coordinator of the Integrated Course of Biomedical Sciences for the CdLM in Sciences of the medical diagnostic techniques
2017-2019: tutor for students of the different Degrees.
2012 - present: Professor of Human Physiology and Neurophysiology at the University of Messina for the following degree courses: Medicine and Surgery in English language, Biomedical Laboratory Methods, Therapy of Neuro and Psychomotricity Disorders of Childhood, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology, Audioprothesic Techniques, Prevention Techniques and Safety Procedures in the Environment and Workplace.

Publications:
19)  Costa L., Tempio A., Lacivita E., Leopoldo M., Ciranna L. (2021) Serotonin 5-HT7 receptors require Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 to rescue hippocampal synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.1111/ejn.15246. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33949019
 
18) Lacivita, E., Niso, M., Stama, M.L., Arzuaga, A., Altamura, C., Costa, L., Desaphy, J.-F., Ragozzino, M.E., Ciranna, L., Leopoldo, M. (2020) Privileged scaffold-based design to identify a novel drug-like 5-HT7 receptor-preferring agonist to target Fragile X syndrome, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Volume 199, 1 August 2020, Article number 112395
 
17) Ciranna L. and Costa L., (2019) Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) modulates hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity: new therapeutic suggestions for Fragile X Syndrome, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2019, 13, 524
Research Topic Title: Novel Therapeutic Potential for Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and related peptides in cognition deficits.
 
16) Leggio GM, Torrisi S, Mastrogiacomo R, Mauro D, Chisari M, Manago F , Scheggia D, Nigro M , Giurdanella  G, Costa L , Bucolo C, Sortino M ,   Pintori N , Ciranna L , Dr. Deluca M,   Mereu M ,   Salomone S,   Drago F., (2019) The epistatic interaction between dopamine D3 receptor and dysbindin-1 modulates higher-order cognitive functions in mice and humans. Molecular Psychiatry, Published on line 06 September 2019
 
15) L. Costa, L.M. Sardone, C.M. Bonaccorso, S. D’Antoni, M. Spatuzza, W. Gulisano, M.R. Tropea, D. Puzzo, M. Leopoldo, E. Lacivita, M.V. Catania, L. Ciranna   (2018) Activation of serotonin 5-HT7 receptors modulates hippocampal synaptic plasticity by stimulation of adenylate cyclases and rescues learning and behavior in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome, Front. Mol. Neurosci., 02 October 2018 doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00353)
 
14) Maurin T, Melancia F, Jarjat M, Castro L, Costa L, Delhaye S, Khayachi A, Castagnola S, Mota E, Di Giorgio A, Servadio M, Drozd M, Poupon G, Schiavi S, Sardone L, Azoulay S, Ciranna L, Martin S, Vincent P, Trezza V, Bardoni B. (2018) Involvement of Phosphodiesterase 2A Activity in the Pathophysiology of Fragile X Syndrome. Cereb Cortex. 2019, 29(8), pp. 1-12
 
13) Aloisi E, Le Corf K, Dupuis J, Zhang P, Ginger M, Labrousse V, Spatuzza M, Haberl M, Costa L, Shigemoto R, Tappe-Theodor A, Drago F, Piazza PV, Mulle C, Groc L, Ciranna L, Catania MV, and Frick A (2017) Altered surface mGluR5 dynamics provoke synaptic NMDAR dysfunction and cognitive defects in Fmr1 knockout mice.  Nature Communications, 8, Article number: 1103 (2017) doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01191-2.
 
12) Pecoraro V, Sardone L.M., Chisari M, Licata F, Li Volsi G, Perciavalle V, Ciranna L and Costa L. (2016) A subnanomolar concentration of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) pre-synaptically modulates glutamatergic transmission in the rat hippocampus acting through acetylcholine. Neuroscience 340 (2017) 551–562
 
11) Costa L., Sardone L.M., Lacivita E., Leopoldo M. and Ciranna L. (2015) Effects of novel 5-HT7 receptor agonists on metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated long-term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of wild-type and Fmr1 KO mice, a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2015 Mar 12;9: 65. I.F.3.27.

10) M.V. Catania, M. Spatuzza, E. Aloisi, S. D’Antoni, J.P. Dupuis, L. Costa, C. M. Bonaccorso, G. Molinaro, G. Battaglia, S. Musumeci, L. Davidovic, B. Bardoni, L.Ciranna, F. Nicoletti, L. Groc and A. Frick (2014)  Dysfunctions of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) receptors in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome.  Current Neuropharmacology 2014, Vol.12 Suppl.1 Pag.7. IF 3.85 eISSN 1875-6190; ISSN 1570-159X

9) E. Aloisi, J.P. Dupuis, L. Costa, M.G. Haberl, M. Ginger, L. Ladépêche, F. Drago, P.V. Piazza, L. Ciranna, L. Groc , M.V. Catania and A. Frick (2014) Altered mGlu5 receptor surface dynamics are linked to abnormal NMDA receptor function and plasticity in Fragile X Syndrome Current Neuropharmacology 2014, Vol.12 Suppl.1 Pag.1. IF 3.85 eISSN 1875-6190; ISSN 1570-159X

8) Costa L., Spatuzza M., D'Antoni S., Bonaccorso C.M.,Trovato C ,Musumeci S.A., Leopoldo M., Lacivita E . , Catania M.V. and Ciranna L. (2012) Activation of 5-HT7 serotonin receptors reverses metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity in wild-type and F m r l knockout mice, a model of Fragile X Syndrome. Biological Psychiatry 72(11):924-933. I.F. 9.2.

7) Costa L, Trovato C, Musumeci S. A., Catania M. V. and Ciranna L. (2012) 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors differently modulate AMPA receptor-mediated hippocampal synaptic transmission. Hippocampus 22(4):790-801. IF 5.1
 
6) Gitto R., De Luca L., Ferro S., Buemi M.R., Russo E. , De Sarro G., Costa L., Ciranna L., Prezzavento O., Arena E . , Ronsisvalle S., Bruno G., and Chimirri A. (2011) Synthesis and Biological Characterization of 3-SubstitutedlH- indole Derivatives as Ligands of NR2B-containing N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptors. J.Med. Chem. 54(24):8702-6. IF 5.3
 
5) Costa L., Santangelo F., L i Volsi G. and Ciranna L. (2009) Modulation of AMPA receptor-mediated ion current by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in CAI pyramidal neurons from rat hippocampus. Hippocampus 19 (1):99-109. IF 5.1
 
4) Gitto R., De Luca L., Ferro S., Citraro R., De Sarro G., Costa L., Ciranna L. and Chimirri A. (2009) Development of 3-Substituted-lH-indole Derivatives as NR2B/NMDA Receptor Antagonists. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 17, 1640- 1647. IF 3.1
 
3) Gitto R., De Luca L., Ferro S., Occhiuto F, Samperi S, De Sarro G, Ciranna L, Costa L and Chimirri A. (2008) Computational studies to discover a new NR2B/NMDA receptor antagonist and evaluation of pharmacological profile. Chem Med. Chem. 3 (10),1539-1548. IF 3.4
 
2) Gitto R., De Luca L., Pagano B., Citraro R., De Sarro G., Costa L., Ciranna L. and Chimirri A. (2008) Synthesis and anticonvulsant evaluation of Nsubstituted isoquinolineAMPA receptor antagonists. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 16, 2379-2384. IF 3.1
 
1) Castiglione M, Calafiore M, Costa L, Sortino MA, Nicoletti F, Copani A. (2008)  Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors control proliferation, survival and differentiation of cultured neural progenitor cells isolated from the subventricular zone of adult mice. Neuropharmacology; 55:560-567.IF 4.38
 
Scientific conventions:
L. Ciranna, L. Costa, M. Spatuzza, C.M. Bonaccorso, S. D’antoni, W. Gulisano; M.R. Tropea, M. Leopoldo, E. Lacivita, D. Puzzo, M.V. Catania (FENS 2018) In vivo treatment with a 5-HT7 receptor agonist rescues synaptic plasticity, dendritic spine morphology, learning and behavior in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. POSTERS - C. DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, 11th FENS Forum of Neuroscience (FENS 2018), 7-11 July, 2018, Berlin, Germany.
Costa L., Sardone L.M., Spatuzza M., Bonaccorso C.M., D'Antoni S., Puzzo D., Gulisano W., Leopoldo M., Lacivita E., Catania M.V., Ciranna L. (PTBUN 2017)   Activation of 5-HT7 receptors for serotonin modulates hippocampal synaptic plasticity in physiological conditions and in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome: involvement of cyclic AMP, intracellular kinases and protein synthesis. 13th International Congress of Polish Neuroscience Society, 28-31.08.2017 Warsaw, Poland.  Symposium 13 - Current research on serotonin 5-HT7 receptor 20 years after its discovery
L. Costa, L.M. Sardone, M. Spatuzza, C.M. Bonaccorso, S. D’Antoni, Puzzo D, Gulisano W., M. Leopoldo, E. Lacivita, M.V. Catania, L. Ciranna (XVIII Telethon Scientific Convention 2017) Activation of 5-HT7 receptors for serotonin rescues hippocampal synaptic plasticity, dendrite morphology, learning and behavior in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome. XVIII Telethon Scientific Convention 2017, Riva del Garda (TN) (Italy) 13-15 March 2017.
L. Costa, L.M. Sardone, M. Spatuzza, C.M. Bonaccorso, S. D’antoni, M. Leopoldo, E. Lacivita, M.V. Catania, L. Ciranna (Neuroscience 2016) Activation of 5-HT7 receptors for serotonin rescues hippocampal synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome through a cyclic AMP-mediated mechanism involving Cyclin-dependent Kinase 5 and protein synthesis. Society for Neuroscience meeting, Program No. 696.04. 2016 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA, (USA): Society for Neuroscience, 2016. Online
E. Lacivita, L. Costa, L.M. Sardone, M. Spatuzza, C.M. Bonaccorso, S. D’Antoni, M.V. Catania, L. Ciranna, M. Leopoldo (2016) 5-HT7 receptor activation as a novel therapeutic strategy in Fragile-X Syndrome; Convegno Monotematico SIF, Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs: from genes to personalized medicine; Dipartimento di Farmacia – Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ‘Aldo Moro, Bari, October 10-11, 2016
Pecoraro V, Sardone L.M., Chisari M, Licata F, Li Volsi G, Perciavalle V, Ciranna L and Costa L. (SIF 2016) A subnanomolar concentration of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) pre-synaptically modulates glutamatergic transmission in the rat hippocampus by stimulating acetylcholine (ACh) release. 67° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Catania (Italia), 21-23 september 2016. 67th SIF National Congress Programme & Abstracts ISBN 9788894010541 oral communication pag.56 Workshop: Ionic basis of neuronal function and dysfunction.
Costa, L., Sardone L.M., Spatuzza M., Bonaccorso C.M., D’Antoni S., Leopoldo M., Lacivita E., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L. (SIF 2016) Activation of serotonin 5-HT7 receptors rescues hippocampal synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome through a cyclic AMP-mediated mechanism. 67° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Catania (Italia), 21-23 september 2016 67th SIF National Congress Programme & Abstracts ISBN 9788894010541 OC pag.103 Workshop: Neuronal and synaptic plasticity.
Leopoldo M.; Lacivita E.; Niso M.; Costa L.; Sardone L.M.; Perrone R. and Ciranna L. (2016) 5-HT7 Receptors activation as a novel therapeutic strategy in Fragile X Syndrome: new arylpiperazine-based agonists with optimized pharmacokinetic properties. XXIV Congresso Nazionale della Divisione di Chimica Farmaceutica, Perugia (Italia), 11-14 settembre 2016
Spatuzza M, D’antoni S, Bonaccorso C.M, Sardone L.M, Costa L, Leopoldo M,Ciranna L, Catania M.V, (FENS 2016) Effects of 5-HT7 receptor activation on dendritic spines and mGluR-LTD in Wild Type and Fmr1 knockout mice. 10^th Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS 2016), Copenhagen, Denmark 2-6 July, 2016,
Costa L., Sardone L.M, Spatuzza M., Bonaccorso C.M., D’Antoni S., Puzzo D, Gulisano W., Leopoldo M., Lacivita E., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L., (XVIII Telethon Scientific Convention 2015) Activation of serotonin type 7 (5-HT7) receptors as a novel therapeutic strategy in Fragile X Syndrome.  Abstract n. 125 pag. 50; XVIII Telethon Scientific Convention, Riva del Garda (Italy) 9-11 March 2015.
Costa L., Sardone L.M., Spatuzza M., Bonaccorso C.M., D’antoni S., Puzzo D, Leopoldo M., Lacivita E., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L., (Neuroscience 2014) Potential role of novel 5-HT7 receptor agonists as pharmacological tools in Fragile X Syndrome. Society for Neuroscience meeting, Program No. 699.01. 2014 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC (USA): Society for Neuroscience, 2014. Online.
M.V. Catania, M. Spatuzza, E. Aloisi, S. D’Antoni, J.P. Dupuis, L. Costa, C. M. Bonaccorso, G. Molinaro, G. Battaglia, S. Musumeci, L. Davidovic, B. Bardoni, L.Ciranna, F. Nicoletti, L. Groc and A. Frick (mGlu 2014) Dysfunctions of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) receptors in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome.  8th International Meeting on Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, Taormina, Sicily-Italy September 28th October 3rd, 2014. Autism session OC 
E. Aloisi, J.P. Dupuis, L. Costa, M.G. Haberl, M. Ginger, L. Ladépêche, F. Drago, P.V. Piazza, L. Ciranna, L. Groc, M.V. Catania and A. Frick (mGlu 2014) Altered mGlu5 receptor surface dynamics are linked to abnormal NMDA receptor function and plasticity in Fragile X Syndrome 8th International Meeting on Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, Taormina, Sicily September 28th October 3rd, 2014. Poster 55 Autism session
Costa L., Sardone L.M., Leopoldo M., Lacivita E. and Ciranna L., (SIF 2014) The serotonin receptor subtype 7 (5-HT7) modulates hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity: a possible novel therapeutic target in cognitive diseases. 65° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Anacapri 28-30 Settembre 2014, 65th SIF National Congress Programme & Abstracts ISBN 9788894010503 oral communication pag.128.
Costa L., Spatuzza M., Trovato C., Bonaccorso C.M., Musumeci S., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L., (Neuroscience 2013) Intracellular mechanisms responsible for serotonin-mediated reversal of metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) in wild-type and Fmr1 KO mouse hippocampus. Program No. 518.13/E48. 2013 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2013. Online. 43 Annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, November 13-17, 2013, Session Title: Long-Term Depression (LTD).
Costa L., Licata F., Li Volsi G. and Ciranna L., (SINS 2012) Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) Pac1 receptor activation enhances CA3-CA1 transmission in the rat hippocampus interacting with acethylcholine. XIV Congress of the Italian Society for Neuroscience - 1st Joint Meeting with the Israel Society for Neuroscience, Catania, April 19-22, 2012.
Costa L., Spatuzza M., Trovato C., Bonaccorso C.M., Musumeci S., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L., (IBRO 2011) 5-HT7 receptor activation reverses mGluR-LTD in the hippocampus of wild-type and Fmr1 knockout mice. 8th International Brain Research Organization World Congress of Neuroscience, Florence, Italy July 14-18, 2011, P-D154.
Lacivita E., De Giorgio P., Ciranna L., Costa L., Berardi F., Perrone R., Leopoldo M.  (2011) New therapeutic venues for treatment of cognitive disorders: focus on selective serotonergic 5-HT7 receptor agonists.  XXIV Congresso Nazionale della Società Chimica Italiana, Lecce 11-16 settembre 2011, FAR-OR-02.
Costa L., Spatuzza M., Trovato C., Bonaccorso C.M., Musumeci S., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L., (Neuroscience 2010) Serotonin 5-HT7 receptor activation rescues CA1 pyramidal neurons from mGluR-LTD in wild type and Fmr1 knockout mice.    40th Annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Program No.757.25/M18. 2010 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2010. Online.   November 13-17, 2010, Session Title: Fragile X.
Costa L., Spatuzza M., Trovato C., Bonaccorso C.M., Musumeci S., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L. (2010) Serotonin 5-HT7 receptor activation rescues CA1 pyramidal neurons from mGluR-LTD in wild type and in Fmr1 knockout mice. Conférences Jacques Monod: Mental retardation: from genes to synapses, functions and dysfunctions. Roscoff (Brittany), France, October 7-11, 2010.Poster pag.97
Costa L., Spatuzza M., Trovato C., Bonaccorso C.M., Musumeci S., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L., (SIF 2010) Reversal of mGluR-LTD by 5-HT7 receptor activation in the hippocampus of wild type and Fmr1 knockout mice. 61° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Varese 15-17 settembre 2010, Acta Physiol. 2010Vol.200, suppl. 681, P.50 pag.128. IF 2.47.
Gitto R., De Luca L., Ferro S., Buemi M.R., Scicchitano F., De Sarro G., Costa L., Ciranna L. and Chimirri A. (2010) Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking studies of NR2B/NMDA receptor antagonists. 28th Camerino-Cyprus-Noordijkerhout Symposium, Camerino, May 16-20, 2010. Trekking Through Receptor Chemistry P-09, pag.121.
Costa L., Trovato C., Musumeci S., Catania M.V. and Ciranna L., (Neuroscience 2009) Age-dependent modulation by serotonin of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in rat and mouse hippocampus. 39th Annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Chicago (U.S.A.), October 17-21, 2009, Theme: Synaptic Transmission: Modulation by Peptides and Amines Program/Poster: 316.4/B94, Online.
Costa L, Trovato C, Musumeci S, Catania M V. and Ciranna L. (SIF 2009) Effects of serotonin on AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in rat and mouse hippocampus: different roles of 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors during development. 60° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Siena 23-25 settembre 2009 Acta Physiol. 2009 Vol.197, suppl. 672, P.47 pp.53-54. IF 2.47.
Costa L, Ciranna L and Santangelo F. (SIF 2008) Endogenous pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) regulates synaptic transmission in rat hippocampus: opposite effects mediated by PAC1 and VPAC2 receptors and additional modulation of glutamate re-uptake. 59° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Cagliari 17-19 settembre 2008 Acta Physiol. Vol. 194, suppl.  665, P39, pp.60-61. IF 2.47.
Ferro S., Gitto, R., De Luca L., De Sarro G., Russo E., Ciranna L., Costa L. and Chimirri A. (2008) New indole derivatives as NMDA/NR2B receptor antagonists: design, synthesis and pharmacological properties. XIII meeting Strutture eterocicliche nella ricerca farmaceutica, Palermo 18-21 maggio 2008; P10.
Costa L, Ciranna L  and Santangelo F. (SIF 2007) Modulation of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission by PACAP in the rat hippocampus 58° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Lecce 19-21 Settembre 2007 Acta Physiol. Vol. 191, suppl. 657, P40, p.59. IF 2.47.
Costa L., Ciranna L. e Santangelo F. (2007) Il PACAP (pituitary adenilate cyclase-activating polypeptide) inibisce la trasmissione sinaptica mediata da recettori AMPA nell'ippocampo di ratto. National Meeting of Physiology PhD Students, Certosa di Pontignano, Siena, 18-21 Luglio 2007, oral communication.
Gitto R., De Luca L., Ferro S., Occhiuto F., Samperi S., Citraro R., De Sarro G., Ciranna L., Costa L. and Chimirri A. (2007). Rational design, synthesis and biological profile of new potent and selective NMDA-NR2B receptor antagonists. Frontiers in CNS and Oncology Medicinal Chemistry, Siena 7-9 October 2007; P 79 pp 50-51.
Gitto R, De Luca L, Pagano B, Ferro S, De Sarro G, Citraro R, Ciranna L, Costa L, Chimirri A. (2007) “AMPA Receptor Antagonists: Synthesis And Pharmacological Evaluation” -reports from the 5th Joint Meeting on Medicinal Chemistry Portoroz (Slovenia) June 17-21, 2007. Editor Danijel Kikelj Medimond International Proceedings; Page21-24
Costa L, Laureanti F, Castiglione M, Ciranna L and Santangelo F. (SIF 2006) Localization of pre-synaptic PAC1 receptors for PACAP (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide) in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus. 57° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, Ravenna, 25-27 settembre 2006 Acta Physiol. Vol.188 suppl. 652 P49, pp. 36-37. IF 2.47.
Costa L., Ciranna L., and Santangelo F. (SIF 2005). Modulation of synaptic transmission by PACAP in the CA1 region of hippocampus: involvement of pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms. 56° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisiologia. Mondello, Palermo 27-30 settembre 2005. Acta Physiol. Vol.188 suppl. 652; OC 57 pp.100-101. IF 2.47.