Forte Nicola

During my research career, I have focused on synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity, both short- and long-term, with emphasis on the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating appetite, memory, and the action of naturally derived bioactive molecules on brain circuits. I developed strong expertise in electrophysiological approaches during my PhD at the University of Genoa and the Italian Institute of Technology, further enhanced through international training at Umeå University (Sweden). As a postdoctoral fellow at the CERVO Brain Research Institute, Laval University (Quebec, Canada), I investigated how environmental (light) and dietary (lipid bioactive molecules) stimuli influence neuronal plasticity in vivo. In parallel, I consolidated skills in immunohistochemistry, viral vector and neuronal tracer delivery via intracerebroventricular injection, and behavioral analysis related to memory and food addiction.

• Patch-clamp recording su fettina e in vivo
• Single unit recording
• Registrazioni LFP,
• Multielectrode array
• Animal behaviour
• Immunoistochimica

1. Forte N, Boccella S, Tunisi L, Fernández-Rilo AC, Imperatore R, Iannotti FA, De Risi M, Iannotta M, Piscitelli F, Capasso R, De Girolamo P, De Leonibus E, Maione S, Di Marzo V, Cristino L. Orexin-A and endocannabinoids are involved in obesity-associated alteration of hippocampal neurogenesis, plasticity, and episodic memory in mice. 2021. Nat Comm. 10.1038/s41467-021-26388-4. ISSN: 20411723

2. Forte N, Roussel C, Marfella B et al. Olive oil-derived endocannabinoid-like mediators inhibit palatable food-induced reward and obesity. 2023. Commun Biol. doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-05295-y. ISSN: 23993642

3. Forte N, Nicois A, Marfella B, Mavaro I, D’Angelo L, Piscitelli F, Scandurra A, De Girolamo P, Baldelli P, Benfenati F, Di Marzo V, Cristino L. Early endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of excitation delays the appearance of the epileptic phenotype in synapsin II knockout mice. 2024. Cell Mol Life Sci. doi: 10.1007/s00018-023-05029-7. ISSN: 1420682X

4. Forte N, Marfella B, Nicois A, Palomba L, Paris D, Motta A, Mollica MP, Di Marzo V, Luigia Cristino L. The short-chain fatty acid acetate modulates orexin/hypocretin neurons: a novel mechanism in gut-brain axis regulation of energy homeostasis and feeding. 2024. Bioch Pharma. Doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116383. ISSN: 00062952

5. Forte N, Imperatore R, Marfella B, Nicois A, Verde R, Palomba L, Di Marzo V, Cristino L. The blue light-responsive lateral pathway of the retinohypothalamic tract promotes endocannabinoid-driven modulation of orexin neurons. 2025. J of Neurochem. DOI: 10.1111/jnc.70137

  MAIN RESEARCH SITE, POZZUOLI (NA)

   nicola.forte@cnr.it

  (+39) 0818675105

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7488-7992