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Dr. Daniela Tropea

Associate Professor (Psychiatry)
Associate Professor (Trinity Inst. of Neurosciences (TCIN))
TRINITY CENTRE, S J H
      
Profile Photo

Dr. Daniela Tropea

Associate Professor (Psychiatry)
TRINITY CENTRE, S J H

 tropead@tcd.ie

 3531896 2424

Associate Professor (Trinity Inst. of Neurosciences (TCIN))


Project Title
 IGF1 as treatment for Rett Syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders
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Summary
This projects study the efficacy of IGF1 administration in treating the symptoms of Rett Syndrome. We use models of the disease to study the mechanisms of action of the drug and identify new molecular targets for treatment. Since IGF1 is a candidate treatment in clinical trials for neurodevelopmental disorders, this projects has broad applications in science, healthcare and it is relevant for patients' associations.
Funding Agency
Lejeune foundation
Project Title
 NexusMentis-teaching Neuroscience to Primary School students
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Summary
In collaboration wit TAP, and together with second year medical students, we adapted a strategy invented for Neuroscience assessment by Dr. Tropea to teach Neuroscience to primary school kids. We are now preparing a manuscript for publication: "DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF GAME BASED LEARNING IN NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 10-13"
Project Title
 Molecular Markers for Rett Syndrome
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Summary
We use model of Rett Syndrome to identify markers of severity of the clinical presentation. This project has high relevance in diagnostic, prognostic and treatment of Rett Syndrome.
Funding Agency
SFI
Programme
Future Neuro Funded investigator
Project Type
translational research
Project Title
 Identification of quantitative EEG parameters for prognosis and severity rating in neurodevelopmental disorders
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Summary
We measure brain activity in patients with Rett Syndrome and we correlate the results to clinical observations.We find that specific parameters correlate with presentation, drug resistance and response to treatment. This study is therefore of high relevance for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Rett Syndrome and related disorders. As part of this project, in collaboration with Rett Syndrome Ireland we are developing a questionnaire for families to be part of a dataset for Rett Syndrome patients. We aim to expand the dataset enriching it with additional data and possibly opening it up to open collaborations.
Funding Agency
Meath Foundation
Programme
research awards
Project Title
 Biology of Brain Disorders: Frontiers in Innovation
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Summary
Summer school for educating participants in the science and innovation in brain disorders. It was a great educational event for undergraduate, graduate students and researchers in brain disorders. The participants came from 17 different countries. During the school was facilitated students-patients interaction to raise awareness on the real needs of the patients.
Funding Agency
Horizon 2020
Programme
EiT Health

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Details Date
External Reviewer PhD Thesis- University of Sidney June 2015
External reviewer for PhD thesis, University of Sidney, Australia February 2024
Invited speaker for the European College NeuropshycoPharmacology Annual meeting 2019, Copenhagen, Denmark 2019
External Advisor for PhD thesis at the University of Maastricht
External Reviewers PhD Thesis-University of Trento. Italy 16 October
Invited speaker at MIT Symposium, 12 June 2023 12 June 2023
Reviewer for the following journals: Neuron, Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience, Genes, Brain and Behavior, Biological Psychiatry, Neural Plasticity, PlosOne, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience Research, Experimental Gerontology, NeuroMolecular Medicine, Neuropsychopharmacology and Neuroinformatics.
Invited lecturer in the Summer School: ISRC Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-Inspired AI Summer School 2024- Ulster University 26 August 2024
Reviewer for the following funding agencies: European Resarach Council (ERC Consolidator grants), Telethon, Ontario Mental Health Fundation, Organization MacArthur Fellowship, Israel Science Foundation, Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust.
Lecturer in Transition Year (TY) TTMI program
Editor of five Special topics for Frontiers Publisher in 2012, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2024
Invited editor for the Book "Brain-Body Connections" Springer publisher
Reviewer for the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator grant
Reviewer for the following journals:Neuron, Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience, Genes, Brain and Behavior, Biological Psychiatry, Neural Plasticity, PlosOne, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience Research, Experimental Gerontology, NeuroMolecular Medicine, Neuropsychopharmacology and Neuroinformatics.
Invited speaker for the meeting: "Autism and related disorders", Viareggio, Italy January 2020 20 January 2020
External investigator for University of Rome "La Sapienza" April 2021
Invited Lecturer for the International Students at Roma "La Sapienza", May 2023 17 May 2023
Invited Associate Editor for Neural Plasticity
Reviewer for the Grant Agency Ontario Mental Health Foundation
Reviewer for the grant Agency Israel Science Foundation
Reviewer for the Organization MacArthur Fellowship
Reviewer for the Funding Agency Wellcome Trust
Reviewer for the Funding Agency Medical Research Council
Reviewer for the following peer-reviewed scientific Journals: Neuron, Scientific Reports, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience, Genes, Brain and Behavior, Biological Psychiatry, Neural Plasticity, PlosOne, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Journal of Neuroscience Research, Experimental Gerontology, NeuroMolecular Medicine and Neuroinformatics.
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent
Italian Fluent Fluent Fluent
Details Date From Date To
Full Member American College Neuropsychopharmacology 1 Jan 2021 present
Associate Member-American College of Neuropshychopharmacology (ACNP) 1 Jan 2016 Present
Society for Neuroscience October 1997 present
Daniela Tropea and Emanuela Giacometti (editors), Brain-body connections, Cham, Switzerland, Springer, 2025, 1 - 340pp, Book, PUBLISHED
Machine learning applications for brain disorders: Towards inclusivity and equity in, editor(s)H. Lee, N. Kim & S. Oertelt-Prigogine , Sex, Gender, and Emerging Technology in Healthcare: Mitigating Bias and Fostering Equity, Singapore, Spinger, 2025, pp1 - 17, [K. Wong-Lin, P.L. McClean & D. Tropea], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED  DOI
Chamma H, Guha S, Eloiflin RJ, Augereau A, Le Hars P, Schüssler M, Messaoud-Nacer Y, Salma M, McKellar J, Re J, Chemarin M, Carrier A, Disyak MA, Taffoni C, Charpentier R, Husson Z, Valjent E, Andrieu-Soler C, Soler E, Christensen MH, Paludan SR, Schmidt FI, Tropea D, Majzoub K, Vila IK, Laguette N., The methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 inhibits cGAS-associated signaling., Nature communications, 16, (1), 2025, p9827 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Ho S, Narayan SI, Tropea D., Insulin- Like Growth Factor-1 as Brain-Body Connector., Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1477, 2025, p83-104 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Daniela Tropea, Sex-dependent impact of a therapeutic approach of Rett syndrome, European College of Neruopsychopharmacology, Milan, Italy, 23 September 2024, 2024, Invited Talk, APPROVED
Daniela Tropea, Trofinetide treatment for Rett Syndrome: lessons to learn, MED- Cell Press, 2024, pMEDJ_MED-D-24-00571 , Journal Article, IN_PRESS
1. K. Zade, C. Campbell, S. Bach, H. Fernandez and D. Tropea, Rett syndrome in Ireland: a demographic study., Orphanet Journal of rare diseases, 2024, Notes: [DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03046-8], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
2. M. Kennedy , L. Glass , D.G. Glaze , S. Kaminsky , A. K. Percy , J. L. Neul , N. E. Jones , D. Tropea , J. P. Horrigan , P. Nues , K. M. Bishop and J. M. Youakim, Development of trofinetide for the treatment of Rett syndrome: from bench to bedside, Frontiers in Pharmachology, 2024, Notes: [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1341746], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
M. DuMont, A. Agostinis, K. Singh, E. Swan, Y. Buttle, D. Tropea, Sex representation in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders"preclinical and clinical studies, Neurobiology of Disease, 2023, Notes: [doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106214.], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Enrico Cherubini, Daniela Tropea, Arianna Maffei, Insights in cellular neurophysiology:2021, 2022, Book, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  URL
  

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Daniela Tropea, Learning from Drugs that work, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 12 June 2023, 2024, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

  


Award Date
Trinity Research Doctorate Award 1 September 2025
TCD Supervisor Award (Nominated) 2024
School of Medicine Seed Award May 2023
Trinity Fellow April 2022
IRC Mentor Award December 2022
Excellence in Teaching Award- nomination 2022
Excellence in teaching award-shortlisted-TCD 2020
Teaching Innovation Award-TCD 2019
IRC Ulysses Award 2018
Innovative treatment for rare diseases_TIAMO foundation June 2014
Best Project for TTO-organized program 14 March 2014
Travel grant for SfN. Boston Area Neuroscience Group (BANG) 2006
The key direction of my research is to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the neurobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders and identify personalized treatments for patients. The key aspects of my research that support my application to promotion are: Research outputs and impact: I was the first to show that Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and related compounds ameliorate the symptoms of Rett syndrome (RTT-a rare neuropsychiatric disorder) in preclinical studies (Tropea et al., 2009). This study started a new line of research, and clinical trials showed that IGF1-related compounds are effective also in Fragile X and Phelan McDermid Syndrome and are potential treatments for autism and schizophrenia. I work in collaboration with clinicians and industry to quantify the benefits of such drugs and identify their mechanisms of action. In 2023 Trofinetide, the synthetic analogous of the active peptide of IGF1, has been approved by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) as the first treatment for RTT. My papers have been cited in patents (47), in international health policies (9), and in scientific journals (>4600 citations- Google scholar), Books and book chapters (5) (Figure1). Funding. My research attracted a total of 460,780 € since my last promotion (Figure2). The funding come from Irish and European agencies, Foundations, and Industry. Leadership and international visibility: I am an internationally recognized as the leader in the research on IGF1-related compounds and neurodevelopmental disorders (Figure3), and for this reason I am invited to contribute to international conferences (IGF1 international society (2018- plenary speaker) , and the annual meetings of the American/ European College of Neuropshycopharmacology (2012, 2019, 2024), and to provide expert opinions on high impact journals (Med, Cell press, 2024). I collaborate with industry (Roche, Neuren, Acadia), international researchers (MIT, Rochester, Boston"s Children Hospital), and clinicians. I established the meeting: Biology of Brain Disorders.