Anna Brancato

Dr. Anna Brancato is a Researcher at the Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Child, Internal Medicine, and Specialist Excellence "G. D'Alessandro" within the School of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Palermo. Her office hours are held Thursdays from 10:00-13:00 and Wednesdays from 14:00-17:00 at the Pharmacology department, Building 11d, Paolo Giaccone University Hospital. She teaches Pharmacology courses for Nursing, Dietetics, and Medicine programs at the university.

Dr. Brancato's research focuses on neuropharmacological effects of substances including THC, CBD, and alcohol, with particular emphasis on adolescent brain development and cognitive function. Her work investigates how prenatal and adolescent exposure to these substances affects neural plasticity, memory formation, and addiction vulnerability, with special attention to sex-specific differences and molecular mechanisms involving neurotransmitters like NPY and CGRP. She employs sophisticated preclinical rodent models to examine these complex interactions.

Analysis of Dr. Brancato's publication record (2021-2025) reveals a consistent research trajectory examining cannabinoid-alcohol interactions, oxidative stress responses, and neuroprotective mechanisms. Her work spans multiple disciplines including neuroscience, pharmacology, and developmental biology, with practical applications for understanding substance use disorders and developing potential therapeutic interventions. The research demonstrates particular expertise in hippocampal function, mitochondrial mechanisms, and neuropeptide regulation.

Dr. Brancato maintains active research productivity with publications across high-impact journals in pharmacology and neuroscience. Her work connects basic science findings with potential clinical applications, particularly in pediatric and adolescent substance exposure contexts. She collaborates across multiple research groups focusing on neuropharmacology and addiction medicine at the University of Palermo.