Alejandra Darling

I am a child neurologist and since the early years of my training I have specialised in movement disorders. I have experience in the comprehensive and multidisciplinary management of diseases associated with dystonia, parkinsonism, chorea, myoclonias, tremors, ticks and ataxia. I have also received training in the management of advanced therapies for patients with severe motor complications: botulinum toxin, baclofen pump and deep brain stimulation. 

My work as a pre-doctorate researcher in the project entitled “Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation: clinical assessment and genetic characterisation by means of a Spanish multi-centre research network” has given me experience in different organisations related to dystonia and Parkinsonism. 

I am a member of the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS). 

Training

Numerous presentations in national and international scientific conferences and meetings. Author of a number of scientific publications in national and international journals. I have participated in national and European research projects. 

• Child Neurology. Ministry of Health and Environment of the Republic of Argentina (2014)
• Master in Child Neurology. Hospital Maternoinfantil Sant Joan de Déu. University of Barcelona (2014)
• Degree in Medicine, standardised to the official Spanish university degree by the Spanish Ministry of Education (2011)
• Paediatric specialist. Ministry of Health and Environment of the Republic of Argentina and Universidad de Buenos Aires (2007)
• Degree in Medicine with honours.  Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Argentina (2003)

Scientific activity

Numerous presentations in national and international scientific conferences and meetings. Author of a number of scientific publications in national and international journals. I have participated in national and European research projects. 

Publications:

• Darling A, Tello C, Martí MJ, Garrido C, Aguilera-Albesa S, Tomás Vila M, Gastón I, Madruga M, González Gutiérrez L, Ramos Lizana J, Pujol M, Gavilán Iglesias T, Tustin K, Lin JP, Zorzi G, Nardocci N, Martorell L, Lorenzo Sanz G, Gutiérrez F, et al. Clinical rating scale for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration: A pilot study. Mov Disord. 2017 Nov;32(11):1620-1630.
• Tello C*, Darling A*, Lupo V, Pérez-Dueñas B, Espinós C. (*equal contribution) On the complexity of clinical and molecular bases of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation. Clinical Genetics. 2017 May 23.doi: 10.1111/cge.13057. 
• Tello C, Darling A, Lupo V, Ortez CI, Pérez-Dueñas B, Espinós C. Twin-sisters with PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration due to paternal isodisomy of the chromosome 22 following in vitro fertilization. Clinical genetics 2017 Jul;92(1):117-118.
• Ortigoza-Escobar JD, Alfadhel M, Molero-Luis M, Darin N, Spiegel R, de Coo IF, Gerards M, Taylor RW, Artuch R, Nashabat M, Rodríguez-Pombo P, Tabarki B, Pérez-Dueñas B; Thiamine Deficiency Study Group. Thiamine deficiency in childhood with attention to genetic causes: Survival and outcome predictors. Ann Neurol. 2017 Sep;82(3):317-330. 
• Darling A, Poo P, Perez-Dueñas B, Campistol J. Medication-related oculogyric crises: a description of four cases and a review of the literature. Rev Neurol. 2013; 1; 56 (3):152-6.
• Darling A, Jaimovich R, Romero C, Meli F, Schteinschnaider A. Hemiespasmo facial de causa neurovascular. Volume 2. Number 3. November 2011. ISSN: 1853-3345. “Revista Neurología Infantil”. Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Teaching

• Lecturer on the Master’s degree in Paediatric Neurology, University of Barcelona.