Giovanni Scapagnini

Professor Scapagnini, MD, PhD  was born in Naples on 31/08/1966. He has graduated in 1992 at the School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Catania, and he has obtained a PhD in Neurobiology in 2000. Since completing his education, Dr. Scapagnini has conducted research with the Institute of Pharmacology associated with the University of Catania and has worked as a Visiting Scientist with Department of Surgical Research, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research, Harrow, UK in 1999, and with Laboratory of Adaptive Systems, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD, USA in 2000. Dr. Scapagnini has been Research Assistant Professor at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, West Virginia University at Johns Hopkins University, Rockville, MD  from 2000 to 2003 and Research Assistant Professor at the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Italian National Research Council, from 2003 to 2006. From 2004 he has been Visiting professor at the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. Currently he hold an Academic positions as Associate Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Molise, Campobasso. His fields of research regard biology and molecular mechanisms of ageing and neurodegenerative disorders, with particular focus on nutrient activated signaling pathways related to lifespan regulation.

ROUND TABLE - The Okinawa Centenarian Study: health, diet and ageing research

Residents of Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, are known for their long average life expectancy, high numbers of centenarians, and accompanying low risk of age-associated diseases. Much of the longevity advantage in Okinawa is thought to be related to a healthy lifestyle, particularly the traditional diet and the social support of family and friends. Okinawan diet is low in calories, yet nutritionally dense, particularly with regard to vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients and it is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular mortality, reduced risk for hormone dependent cancers, as well as longevity. In this presentation we briefly discuss relevant topics on ageing and longevity with particular focus on dietary patterns of Okinawa centenarians and
nutrient-sensing pathways that have a pivotal role in the regulation of life span.