Marta Valenza, PharmD, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow (previously held)
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine




Her research aims at elucidating the neurobiological basis of addiction in order to find possible therapeutic targets with translational valence. In her studies She uses a pharmacological, genetic and behavioral approach. Her most recent projects aimed at investigating possible genetic factors that may predispose subjects to develop addiction to drug of abuse, including ethanol and cocaine, or to natural rewards like food. Additionally she has recently explored the possible role of abnormal responsivity to stress in initiation, perpetuation, and relapse to cocaine addiction, with emphasis on studying the role of the kappa opioid receptor system in such responses. All together, her studies have identified new molecular targets to treat addiction with potential translational relevance.

Major past projects focused on the neurobiology of reward-related deficits as obesity and eating disorders. During graduate training carried out different projects exploring the neurobiology of ethanol addictive behaviors.
Past projects aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of phytocannabinoids in models of Alzheimer’s disease and their possible mechanism of action.

• Skilled in experimental design. Used to confirm scientific hypotheses using behavioral, cellular and molecular approaches.
• 9 years of laboratory experience. Commonly used genetic and environmental rodent models of diseases as well as in vitro and ex vivo models.
• Good statistical knowledge, able to analyze data from a wide range of behavioral and molecular tests.
• Demonstrated ability in working both in collaboration and independently.
• Experienced in managing different projects concurrently.

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

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  1. Steardo L, Fornaro M, D'Angelo M, Di Stefano V, Monaco F, Scuderi C, Steardo L, Valenza M. Impact of sex and complex PTSD comorbidity on pharmacological treatment response in bipolar disorder patients. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2025 Apr 02; 138:111337. PMID: 40097134
     
  2. Valenza M, Facchinetti R, Torazza C, Ciarla C, Bronzuoli MR, Balbi M, Bonanno G, Popoli M, Steardo L, Milanese M, Musazzi L, Bonifacino T, Scuderi C. Molecular signatures of astrocytes and microglia maladaptive responses to acute stress are rescued by a single administration of ketamine in a rodent model of PTSD. Transl Psychiatry. 2024 May 25; 14(1):209. PMID: 38796504; PMCID: PMC11127980; DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02928-6;
     
  3. Iazzolino AM, Valenza M, D'Angelo M, Longobardi G, Di Stefano V, Luca S, Scuderi C, Steardo L. How effective are mood stabilizers in treating bipolar patients comorbid with cPTSD? Results from an observational study. Int J Bipolar Disord. 2024 Mar 26; 12(1):9. PMID: 38530497; PMCID: PMC10965881; DOI: 10.1186/s40345-024-00330-1;
     
  4. D'Angelo M, Valenza M, Iazzolino AM, Longobardi G, Di Stefano V, Visalli G, Steardo L, Scuderi C, Manchia M, Steardo L. Exploring the Interplay between Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Severity: Implications for Clinical Practice. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Feb 28; 60(3). PMID: 38541134; PMCID: PMC10972003; DOI: 10.3390/medicina60030408;
     
  5. D'Angelo M, Valenza M, Iazzolino AM, Longobardi G, Di Stefano V, Lanzara E, Visalli G, Steardo L, Scuderi C, Steardo L. Unraveling the Complexity: Exploring the Intersection of Panic Disorder, Dissociation, and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Behav Sci (Basel). 2024 Feb 22; 14(3). PMID: 38540469; PMCID: PMC10968653; DOI: 10.3390/bs14030166;
     
  6. Iazzolino AM, Valenza M, D'Angelo M, Longobardi G, Stefano VD, Visalli G, Steardo L, Scuderi C, Steardo L. The Impact of Complex PTSD on Suicide Risk in Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med. 2024 Jan 24; 13(3). PMID: 38337367; PMCID: PMC10856776; DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030673;
     
  7. Bonifacino T, Mingardi J, Facchinetti R, Sala N, Frumento G, Ndoj E, Valenza M, Paoli C, Ieraci A, Torazza C, Balbi M, Guerinoni M, Muhammad N, Russo I, Milanese M, Scuderi C, Barbon A, Steardo L, Bonanno G, Popoli M, Musazzi L. Changes at glutamate tripartite synapses in the prefrontal cortex of a new animal model of resilience/vulnerability to acute stress. Transl Psychiatry. 2023 Feb 18; 13(1):62. PMID: 36806044; PMCID: PMC9938874; DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02366-w;
     
  8. Valenza M, Scuderi C. How useful are biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and especially for its therapy? Neural Regen Res. 2022 Oct; 17(10):2205-2207. PMID: 35259832; PMCID: PMC9083181; DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335791;
     
  9. Valenza M, Facchinetti R, Steardo L, Scuderi C. Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications. Biomolecules. 2022 Aug 27; 12(9). PMID: 36139030; PMCID: PMC9496237; DOI: 10.3390/biom12091191;
     
  10. Walwyn WM, Valenza M. Editorial: Kappa opioid receptors revealed: Disentangling the pharmacology to open up new therapeutic strategies. Front Pharmacol. 2022; 13:973780. PMID: 36034837
     
Showing 10 of 36 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 36 publications over 14 distinct years, with a maximum of 5 publications in 2015 and 2020 and 2024

YearPublications
20112
20123
20132
20141
20155
20161
20171
20191
20205
20214
20224
20231
20245
20251

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72 E. Concord St Silvio Conte (K)
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