Marco Pisa

I am a neurologist with a special interest in multiple sclerosis, currently working as a Senior Clinical Multiple Sclerosis Fellow while pursuing a DPhil in neuropathology of this condition. I completed my medical studies and specialty training at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy, where I also gained experience as a locum consultant in neuro-rehabilitation for a year.

During my training, I developed a particular interest in multiple sclerosis and its impact on disability. I conducted research using experimental neurophysiology techniques to monitor and provide treatments for individuals with MS. However, I soon recognized the need to delve deeper into the underlying neuropathological changes occurring in the brain and spinal cord. This realization motivated me to pursue a DPhil in neuropathology to gain a comprehensive understanding of multiple sclerosis. In my current research, I am specifically investigating the determinants of neurodegeneration in the spinal cord of individuals with multiple sclerosis. By focusing on neuropathology, I aim to unravel the underlying mechanisms driving this process. With my clinical and research experience, I am dedicated to translating these neuropathological observations into clinical practice, particularly in the field of precision rehabilitation.

I have recently joined Trinity as a Clinical Specialist Advisor to support medical students in learning neurology. I am also Honorary Teaching Fellow at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences where I help with OSCE preparation and examining. Finally, I provide teaching on multiple sclerosis for neurology registrars and MS specialist nurses, and I regularly supervise FSH and international students for research projects.

Dalla Costa G, Leocani L, Pisa M, et al. Neuroaxonal damage in natalizumab-treated MS patients: The role of JCV antibody titres. Mult Scler. 2024 Jun 14:13524585241260977. doi: 10.1177/13524585241260977

Pisa M, Watson JL, Spencer JI, et al. A role for vessel-associated extracellular matrix proteins in multiple sclerosis pathology. Brain Pathol. 2024 Apr 25:e13263. doi: 10.1111/bpa.13263

Waldman AD, Catania C, Pisa M, Jenkinson M, Lenardo MJ, DeLuca GC. The prevalence and topography of spinal cord demyelination in multiple sclerosis: a retrospective study. Acta Neuropathol. 2024 Mar 9;147(1):51

Huang SC, Pisa M, Guerrieri S, Dalla Costa G, Comi G, Leocani L. Optical coherence tomography with voxel-based morphometry: a new tool to unveil focal retinal neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. Brain Commun. 2023 Sep 28;6(1):fcad249

Gromisch ES, Neto LO, DelMastro HM, Dhari Z, Pisa M, Turner AP. Physical Activity and Life Stress Are Associated With Illness Intrusiveness in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 May;105(5):876-883.

Oertel FC, Zimmermann HG, Motamedi S, et al. Retinal Changes After Acute and Late Optic Neuritis in Aquaporin-4 Antibody Seropositive NMOSD. J Neuroophthalmol. 2023 Sep 29.

Oertel FC, Zimmermann HG, Motamedi S, et al; as the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation. Retinal Changes in Double-Antibody Seronegative Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2024 Sep;11(5):e200273.

Pansieri J, Hadley G, Lockhart A, Pisa M, DeLuca GC. Regional contribution of vascular dysfunction in white matter dementia: clinical and neuropathological insights. Front Neurol. 2023 Jun 16;14:1199491.

Pansieri J, Pisa M, Yates RL, Esiri MM, DeLuca GC. A potential protective role of the nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (Nurr1) in multiple sclerosis motor cortex: a neuropathological study. Brain Commun. 2023 Mar 17;5(2):fcad072.

Oertel FC, Zimmermann HG, Motamedi S, et al. Diagnostic value of intereye difference metrics for optic neuritis in aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2023 Jul;94(7):560-566. 

Pisa M, Ruiz JA, DeLuca GC, et al. Quantification of upper limb dysfunction in the activities of the daily living in persons with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Jun 1;63:103917. 

Pisa M, Pansieri J, Yee S, et al. Anterior optic pathway pathology in CNS demyelinating diseases. Brain. 2022 Feb 3:awac030. 

Spencer JI, Crane M, Pisa M, Waldman AD, DeLuca GC. Out with the old, in with the new: Could plasma exchange be used to fill a therapeutic gap in neurology? J Neurol Sci. 2022 Jan 15;432:120056. 

Gelibter S, Pisa M, Croese T, et al. Spinal Fluid Myeloid Microvesicles Predict Disease Course in Multiple Sclerosis. Ann Neurol. 2021 Aug;90(2):253-265. 

Pisa M, Croese T, Dalla Costa G, et al. Subclinical anterior optic pathway involvement in early multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndromes. Brain. 2021 Apr 12;144(3):848-862. 

Dalla Costa G, Croese T, Pisa M, et al. CSF extracellular vesicles and risk of disease activity after a first demyelinating event. Mult Scler. 2021 Sep;27(10):1606-1610. 

Pisa M, Chieffo R, Giordano A, et al. Upper limb motor evoked potentials as outcome measure in progressive multiple sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 Feb;131(2):401-405.

Pisa M, Chieffo R, Congiu M, et al. Intracortical motor conduction is associated with hand dexterity in progressive multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2021 Jul;27(8):1222-1229. 

Pisa M, Ratti F, Vabanesi M, et al. Subclinical neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder revealed by optical coherence tomography. Mult Scler. 2020 Sep;26(10):1197-1206. 

Vabanesi M, Pisa M, Guerrieri S, et al. In vivo structural and functional assessment of optic nerve damage in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and multiple sclerosis. Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 17;9(1):10371. 

Pisa M, Della Valle P, Coluccia A, et al. Acquired haemophilia A as a secondary autoimmune disease after alemtuzumab treatment in multiple sclerosis: A case report. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Jan;27:403-405. 

Pisa M, Guerrieri S, Di Maggio G, et al. No evidence of disease activity is associated with reduced rate of axonal retinal atrophy in MS. Neurology. 2017 Dec 12;89(24):2469-2475.