Sciacca

Researchers are studying adults aged 18 to 65 with symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome IBS who may have not-celiac wheat sensitivity NCWS. This condition causes symptoms after eating wheat but is not celiac disease or wheat allergy. The study aims to identify biological markers and better understand NCWS by comparing patients who improve on a gluten-free diet but worsen when wheat is reintroduced. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either wheat flour or a placebo xylose three times daily for 15 days in a double-blind setup. Before this challenge, patients will follow a gluten-free diet and may also follow a more restricted elimination diet if multiple food sensitivities are suspected. The study will collect blood, stool, and tissue samples via endoscopic biopsies to analyze immune and biochemical responses. During the study, researchers will monitor gastrointestinal symptoms using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and evaluate changes in biological markers before and after the dietary challenge. The trial includes careful symptom tracking, laboratory tests, and biopsies to help diagnose NCWS and understand its causes. The study is expected to continue until December 2026.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of prismatic adaptation combined with serious games on cognitive and behavioral deficits in patients who have experienced traumatic brain injury TBI. This study compares a novel rehabilitation protocol using prismatic lenses and serious games to a control rehabilitation training that uses serious games without prismatic adaptation. The goal is to assess how this new approach impacts cognitive outcomes and brain activity patterns measured by EEG. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will undergo prismatic adaptation sessions where they wear prismatic lenses and perform pointing exercises on a tablet, followed by cognitive training using serious games. This occurs over 10 days across two weeks, with 40-minute sessions each day. The control group will receive the same serious games without the prismatic adaptation. Both groups also receive standard cognitive rehabilitation using paper and pen exercises. Each rehabilitation session lasts about one hour, five days per week for two weeks. During the study, participants will be assessed at the start and after completing the 10 rehabilitation sessions to measure changes in cognitive and behavioral function. Assessments include neuropsychological tests and EEG recordings. After the study period, all patients will continue with standard cognitive and motor rehabilitation. The total participation time includes the initial treatment phase and follow-up assessments, with the study concluding upon discharge from the rehabilitation unit.

Researchers are investigating non-celiac wheat sensitivity NCWS, a condition where symptoms are triggered by wheat ingestion without celiac disease or wheat allergy. The study aims to understand if ancient wheat varieties are better tolerated by patients than modern ones, and to identify wheat components like amylasetrypsin inhibitors ATIs that may cause symptoms. The research explores the immune responses involved and the impact of different wheat breeding methods on symptom development. The study involves testing total proteins from different wheat genotypes to measure inflammatory responses in immune cells from NCWS patients and healthy individuals. Two wheat types, one causing high and the other low inflammatory responses in lab tests, will be given to patients. Participants will receive wheat flour or placebo xylose three times daily for 15 days in a blinded and randomized manner to compare effects on symptoms. Participants will be monitored for immune responses through blood and rectal tissue samples, measuring inflammatory markers over about six months. Clinical symptoms will be assessed before and after wheat challenges. The study uses questionnaires and clinical evaluations to track symptom changes. This detailed approach aims to clarify wheats role in triggering NCWS symptoms and the differences between wheat types.