Dr. Juan Pablo Romero Muñoz PhD p.romero.prof@ufv.es

Francisco José Sánchez Cuesta (Physiotherapist) fjose.sanchez@ufv.es ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6202-7071

Yeray González Zamorano (Physiotherapist) y.gonzalezz@alumnos.urjc.es ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3819-3090

Laura Valenzuela López (Biomedical Engineer) valenlopezlaura@gmail.com valenlopezlaura@gmail.com ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6479-8419

Mercedes Barrachina (Telecommunications Engineer) m.barrachina@alumnos.upm.es ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4718-4495

Begoña Gonzalez Rodríguez (Neuropsychologist) begogoro.hbma@hospitalarias.es   ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6317-6826

Almudena Cerezo Zarzuelo (Physiotherapist) acerezoz.hbma@hospitalarias.es ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0544-8541

Alfonso Hurtado Martínez (Neuropsychologist) alfonso.hurtado@ufv.es ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1927-979X

Postdoctoral researchers

Aida Arroyo Ferrer (Neuropsychologist), PhD aida.arroyo@ufv.es ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8704-242X

Marcos Moreno Verdú (Physiotherapist), PhD marcos.moreno.verdu@gmail.com  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9726-8518

Marcos Ríos PhD. Neuropsychologist. National University of Distance Education (UNED) and Beata María Ana Hospital. Ana Bravo MD. Medical Internist. Beata María Ana Hospital. Paulina Oliva MD. Rehabilitation Physician. Beata María Ana Hospital. Paloma Fernandez Physiotherapist. Beata María Ana Hospital.

-Computational Biophysics Group UFV

-Neural and Cognitive Engineering Group (GNEC)  https://g-nec.car.upm-csic.es/ https://g-nec.car.upm-csic.es/

-12 de Octubre Hospital (Hospital 12 de Octubre) Neuroscience Group

-Laboratory of Medical Imaging and biometric analysis (LAMBIO) http://laimbio.es/

-Cognitive Neurolab (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya) http://cognitiveneurolab.org/

-Necodor. Cognitive neuroscience, pain and rehabilitation in Health Sciences of the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.

-Biomedical Ingeneering Lab- Politecnico Lisboa https://www.laseeb.org/

-Brain, Action and Skill Laboratory (BAS-Lab), University Catholique of Louvain http://bas-lab.org/

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (END OF DEGREE PROJECT)

Antonio Rubiales (2023)
Nuria Bustos (2023)
Elena Rodriguez Fierro (2022)
Isabel Gilabert (2021)
Ana Balenzategui (2021)
Antonio Perez (2020)
Aina Feliu (2020)
Olivia Romera (2020)
Janet Fernández (2020)
Antonio Pérez (2020)
Pablo Espáriz (2019)
Macarena Casas (2018)
Rosa García (2018)

POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS (Master’s Degree)

Jorge Andreo (2017-2019)
Silvia Torio (2022)

PhD STUDENTS

Alfredo Traba (2015-2018)
Aida Arroyo Ferrer (2019-2023)
Francisco José Sánchez Cuesta (2020-2024)
Ana María Maitín (2019-2023)
Laura Valenzuela (2022-2024)
Mercedes Barrachina (2022-2024)
Juan José García (2019-)
Nuria Serradell (2019-)
Yeray González Zamorano (2021-)
Begoña Gonzalez Rodríguez (2020-)
Almudena Cerezo Zarzuelo (2023-)
Alfonso Hurtado Martínez (2023-)

• Neurorehabilitation of motor and cognitive symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
• Motor and cognitive neurorehabilitation of the sequelae of acquired brain injury (adult and pediatric)

Thanks to the stable collaboration of the Francisco de Vitoria University with the Sisters Hospitallers, the Neurorehabilitation and Brain Injury group has a complete non-invasive Neuromodulation laboratory located in the facilities of the Brain Injury Unit of the Beata María Ana Hospital in Madrid where its research projects are carried out.
The facilities are located at Calle del Dr. Esquerdo, 83, 28007 Madrid. VIEW ON THE MAP

The aim of the group is to develop a line of research that covers neurorehabilitation of neurological pathologies using the most advanced technology available. Based on clinical and therapeutic needs, a direct translation is made by collaborating with robotic engineering groups such as the GNEC of CSIC or engineers specializing in image processing in post-processing as the URJC.

The active projects of the group are oriented towards non-invasive neuromodulation for neurorehabilitation of both the sequelae of acquired brain damage (stroke or TBI) and Parkinson’s disease.

Brain neuromodulation attempts to change the electrical and functional behavior of neuronal networks that are altered, enhancing their normal functioning. We use the following techniques:

1. Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which seeks to change the excitability of the cerebral cortex using electromagnetic energy applied externally, without causing any discomfort to the patient.
2. Transcranial electrical stimulation by direct current, which seeks to change the excitability of the cerebral cortex using direct electrical energy applied transcranially with either high or low definition.
3. Endogenous neuromodulation with the use of immersive 3D EEG-powered system that allows us to teach patients to “retrain” their brain rhythms to enhance the effects of conventional rehabilitation.

In addition to these techniques we participate in the validation of exoprostheses or devices designed to support the rehabilitation or diagnosis of motor or non-motor disorders.

A newer line of our study is the neuropsychological and posturographic study of Parkinson’s disease which is currently in its initial phase.

The purpose of our research lines is to make available to patients an effective and non-invasive technique at hospital level (magnetic stimulation, electrical stimulation and neurofeedback) that can be complemented with conventional therapies reducing health costs, improving their welfare and potentially reducing their requirements for medication.

This activity puts our university on the map of clinical research in Neurology and allows us to form research links with numerous groups dedicated to this type of neurophysiological research around the world. Cortical neurophysiology research is one of the Hot Topics of the last years.

The group is open to collaborations with students, professors and other researchers inside and outside the university interested in this line of research.

Sánchez-Cuesta FJ, González-Zamorano Y, Arroyo-Ferrer A, Moreno-Verdú M, Romero-Muñoz JP. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of primary motor cortex for stroke upper limb motor sequelae rehabilitation: A systematic review. NeuroRehabilitation. 2023;52(3):329-348. doi: 10.3233/NRE-220306. PMID: 37005900.

Lora-Millan JS, Sanchez-Cuesta FJ, Romero JP, Moreno JC, Rocon E. J Neuroeng Rehabil (IF: 3.52; Q1). 2022 Oct 8;19(1):109. doi: 10.1186/s12984-022-01088-2.PMID: 36209096 A unilateral robotic knee exoskeleton to assess the role of natural gait assistance in hemiparetic patients.

Barrachina-Fernández M, Maitín AM, Sánchez-Ávila C, Romero JP. Wearable Technology to Detect Motor Fluctuations in Parkinson’s Disease Patients: Current State and Challenges. Sensors (Basel). 2021 Jun 18;21(12):4188. doi: 10.3390/s21124188. PMID: 34207198; PMCID: PMC8234127.

Maitín AM, García-Tejedor AJ, Muñoz JPR. Machine Learning Approaches for Detecting Parkinson’s Disease from EEG Analysis: A Systematic Review. Applied Sciences. January 2020;10(23):8662.

González-Zamorano Y, Fernández-Carnero J, Sánchez-Cuesta FJ, Arroyo-Ferrer A, Vourvopoulos A, Figueiredo P, et al. New Approaches Based on Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Mental Representation Techniques Targeting Pain in Parkinson’s Disease Patients: Two Study Protocols for Two Randomized Controlled Trials. Brain Sciences. enero de 2021;11(1):65.

Sánchez-Cuesta FJ, Arroyo-Ferrer A, González-Zamorano Y, Vourvopoulos A, Badia SBI, Figuereido P, Serrano JI, Romero JP. Clinical Effects of Immersive Multimodal BCI-VR Training after Bilateral Neuromodulation with rTMS on Upper Limb Motor Recovery after Stroke. A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Jul 21;57(8):736. doi: 10.3390/medicina57080736. PMID: 34440942; PMCID: PMC8401798.

Maitín AM, Perezzan R, Herráez-Aguilar D, Serrano JI, Del Castillo MD, Arroyo A, et al. Time Series Analysis Applied to EEG Shows Increased Global Connectivity during Motor Activation Detected in PD Patients Compared to Controls. Applied Sciences. January 2021;11(1):15.

Arroyo A, Periáñez JA, Ríos‐Lago M, Lubrini G, Andreo J, Benito‐León J, et al. Components determining the slowness of information processing in parkinson’s disease. Brain and Behavior. 2021 (n/a):e02031.

Romero JP, Bravo-Martín A, Oliva-Navarrete P, Sánchez-Cuesta F, Ríos-Lago M, Benito-León J. Impact of COVID-19 on a brain damage unit. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 Jul-Aug;15(4):102163. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.05.036. Epub 2021 Jun 6. PMID: 34186362; PMCID: PMC8180341.

Benito-León, Julián, Elan D. Louis, Eva Manzanedo, Juan Antonio Hernández-Tamames, Juan Álvarez-Linera, José Antonio Molina-Arjona, Michele Matarazzo, et al. «Resting State Functional MRI Reveals Abnormal Network Connectivity in Orthostatic Tremor». Medicine 95, n.^o 29 (julio de 2016): e4310. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000004310.

Benito-León, Julián, Elan D. Louis, Virginia Mato-Abad, Ulrike Dydak, Juan Álvarez-Linera, Juan Antonio Hernández-Tamames, José Antonio Molina-Arjona, et al. «In Vivo Neurometabolic Profiling in Orthostatic Tremor». Medicine 95, n.^o 37 (septiembre de 2016): e4848. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000004848.

Benito-León, Julián, Elan D. Louis, Virginia Mato-Abad, Alvaro Sánchez-Ferro, Juan P. Romero, Michele Matarazzo, y J. Ignacio Serrano. «A Data Mining Approach for Classification of Orthostatic and Essential Tremor Based on MRI-Derived Brain Volume and Cortical Thickness». Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 6, n.^o 12 (diciembre de 2019): 2531-43. https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.50947.

Benito-León, Julián, Elan D. Louis, Verónica Puertas-Martín, Juan Pablo Romero, Michele Matarazzo, José Antonio Molina-Arjona, Cristina Domínguez-González, y Álvaro Sánchez-Ferro. «Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Features of Orthostatic Tremor: A Case-Control Comparison». Journal of the Neurological Sciences 361 (15th February 2016): 137-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2015.12.031.

Benito-León, Julián, Elan D. Louis, Juan Pablo Romero, Juan Antonio Hernández-Tamames, Eva Manzanedo, Juan Álvarez-Linera, Félix Bermejo-Pareja, Ignacio Posada, y Eduardo Rocon. «Altered Functional Connectivity in Essential Tremor: A Resting-State FMRI Study». Medicine 94, n.^o 49 (December 2015): e1936. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000001936.

Benito-León, Julián, Virginia Mato-Abad, Elan D. Louis, Juan Antonio Hernández-Tamames, Juan Álvarez-Linera, Félix Bermejo-Pareja, Ángela Domingo-Santos, Luis Collado, y Juan Pablo Romero. «Author Correction: White Matter Microstructural Changes Are Related to Cognitive Dysfunction in Essential Tremor». Scientific Reports 8, n.^o 1 (6 de marzo de 2018): 4301. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-22516-1.

«White matter microstructural changes are related to cognitive dysfunction in essential tremor». Scientific Reports 7 (7th June 2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02596-1.

Benito‐León, Julián, Juan P. Romero, Elan D. Louis, Alvaro Sánchez‐Ferro, Michele Matarazzo, José A. Molina‐Arjona, y Virginia Mato‐Abad. «Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Orthostatic Tremor: A Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Study». Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 6, n.^o 11 (2019): 2212-22. https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.50916.

Benito-León, Julián, Juan P. Romero, Elan D. Louis, Alvaro Sánchez-Ferro, Michele Matarazzo, José A. Molina-Arjona, y Virginia Mato-Abad. «Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Orthostatic Tremor: A Tract-Based Spatial Statistics Study». Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 6, n.^o 11 (noviembre de 2019): 2212-22. https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.50916.

Benito-León, Julián, Emilio Sanz-Morales, Helena Melero, Elan D. Louis, Juan P. Romero, Eduardo Rocon, y Norberto Malpica. «Graph Theory Analysis of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Essential Tremor». Human Brain Mapping 40, n.^o 16 (01 de 2019): 4686-4702. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.24730.

«Graph Theory Analysis of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Essential Tremor». Human Brain Mapping, 22 de julio de 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.24730.

Benito-León, Julián, J. Ignacio Serrano, Elan D. Louis, Ales Holobar, Juan P. Romero, P. Povalej-Bržan, Félix Bermejo-Pareja, M. Dolores Del Castillo, Ignacio J. Posada, y Eduardo Rocon. «Tremor Severity in Parkinson’s Disease and Cortical Changes of Areas Controlling Movement Sequencing: A Preliminary Study». Journal of Neuroscience Research, 16 de abril de 2018. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.24248.

Benito‐León, Julián, José Ignacio Serrano, Elan D. Louis, Ales Holobar, Juan P. Romero, Petra Povalej‐Bržan, Jernej Kranjec, et al. «Essential Tremor Severity and Anatomical Changes in Brain Areas Controlling Movement Sequencing». Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 0, n.^o 0 (s. f.). https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.681.

Gallego, Juan A., Jakob L. Dideriksen, Ales Holobar, Jaime Ibáñez, Vojko Glaser, Juan P. Romero, Julián Benito-León, José L. Pons, Eduardo Rocon, y Dario Farina. «The Phase Difference Between Neural Drives to Antagonist Muscles in Essential Tremor Is Associated with the Relative Strength of Supraspinal and Afferent Input». The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience 35, n.^o 23 (10 de junio de 2015): 8925-37. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0106-15.2015.

Holobar, Aleš, Juan A. Gallego, Jernej Kranjec, Eduardo Rocon, Juan P. Romero, Julián Benito-León, José L. Pons, y Vojko Glaser. «Motor Unit-Driven Identification of Pathological Tremor in Electroencephalograms». Frontiers in Neurology 9 (29 de octubre de 2018). https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00879.

López-Blanco, R., J. Benito-León, S. Llamas-Velasco, M. D. Del Castillo, J. I. Serrano, E. Rocon, J. P. Romero, y M. A. Velasco. «Interaction with Touchscreen Smartphones in Patients with Essential Tremor and Healthy Individuals». Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain), 10 de agosto de 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nrl.2018.05.005.

López-Blanco, Roberto, Miguel A. Velasco, Antonio Méndez-Guerrero, Juan Pablo Romero, María Dolores Del Castillo, J. Ignacio Serrano, Julián Benito-León, Félix Bermejo-Pareja, y Eduardo Rocon. «Essential Tremor Quantification Based on the Combined Use of a Smartphone and a Smartwatch: The NetMD Study». Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 23 de febrero de 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.02.015.

López-Blanco, Roberto, Miguel A. Velasco, Antonio Méndez-Guerrero, Juan Pablo Romero, María Dolores Del Castillo, J. Ignacio Serrano, Eduardo Rocon, y Julián Benito-León. «Smartwatch for the Analysis of Rest Tremor in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease». Journal of the Neurological Sciences 401 (15 de junio de 2019): 37-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2019.04.011.

Puertas-Martín, Verónica, Alberto Villarejo-Galende, Sara Fernández-Guinea, Juan Pablo Romero, Elan D. Louis, and Julián Benito-León. «A Comparison Study of Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Features of Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease». Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements 6 (15 December 2016). https://doi.org/10.7916/D86H4HRN.

Serrano, J. Ignacio, María Dolores del Castillo, Verónica Cortés, Nuno Mendes, Aida Arroyo, Jorge Andreo, Eduardo Rocon, María del Valle, Jaime Herreros, and Juan Pablo Romero. «EEG Microstates Change in Response to Increase in Dopaminergic Stimulation in Typical Parkinson’s Disease Patients». Frontiers in Neuroscience 12 (2018). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00714.

Serrano, J. Ignacio, Stefan Lambrecht, M. Dolores del Castillo, Juan P. Romero, Julián Benito-León, and Eduardo Rocon. «Identification of Activities of Daily Living in Tremorous Patients Using Inertial Sensors». Expert Systems with Applications 83 (15 October 2017): 40-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2017.04.032.

Serrano, J. Ignacio, Juan P. Romero, Ma Dolores del Castillo, Eduardo Rocon, Elan D. Louis, and Julián Benito-León. «A data mining approach using cortical thickness for diagnosis and characterization of essential tremor». Scientific Reports 7 (19 May 2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02122-3.

Traba, Alfredo, Juan Pablo Romero, Beatriz Arranz, y Concepción Vilela. «A New Criterion for Detection of Radiculopathy Based on Motor Evoked Potentials and Intraoperative Nerve Root Monitoring». Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology 129, n.^o 10 (20th July 2018): 2075-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2018.07.005.

Media: A tu salud
Title of the publication: Párkinson. Un exoesqueleto para controlar el temblor.
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Media: Periódico ABC
Publication title: Brazo Robótico. Un guante contra los temblores.

Media: Cadena SER Madrid Interview with Juan Pablo Romero about robotic arm on the program Hoy por hoy.