Neuroscience Lab Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center
Founded in 2018 to leverage neuroscience in support of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group and its clients, the Neuroscience Lab is one of three in-house scientific research laboratories. Its mission is to address complex business and societal needs by activating multidisciplinary applied research projects in the field of neuroscience.
The decision to establish a neuroscience research lab emerged from the analysis of innovation trends. These trends highlight the growing importance of focusing on human aspects—not only in medical or clinical contexts but also in relation to business. They underline the need to understand brain function and decision-making processes, delve into the study of social and economic behaviors, explore the topic of well-being in connection with work-life balance.
MAIN AREAS
HR, Education & Inclusion and Art
Neuroscientific studies for continuous learning, skill development, fostering workplace inclusion and evaluating aesthetic experiences.
Health & Safety and Wellbeing
Investigation of risk factors from a neuroscientific perspective, alongside the creation, implementation and validation of strategies to promote workplace well-being.
Marketing & Communication
Application of advanced neuroscientific techniques to evaluate and identify effective communication models.
Finance, Insurance & Wealth Management
Research and implementation of initiatives for financial education, as well as scientific studies on key topics such as risk aversion.
Climate & Biodiversity
Protection of biodiversity and combating climate change through the study of behavioral impacts and the evaluation of the most effective methods to drive mindset shifts.
Activities and Projects of the Neuroscience Lab
The Neuroscience Lab focuses on:
Scientific research in the field of cognitive neuroscience.
Outreach initiatives to spread awareness about neuroscience, including organizing webinars and writing informative reports to introduce the field.
Development of neuroscientific models and innovative digital solutions that support the organizational structures of both the Intesa Sanpaolo Group and client companies across various domains, in collaboration with scientific partners such as the Scuola IMT Alti Studi Lucca.
Collaborations and Expertise
Close collaboration with international researchers from the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca and other scientific partners fosters the development of new skills within the Bank. This approach enables the Group to establish itself as a leader in scientific and innovation domains.
What Are Neurosciences?
Neurosciences represent an interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to understanding the nervous system. The primary goal of neuroscience is to investigate the mechanisms underlying mental functions and human behavior. For example, cognitive, affective, and social neuroscience explore the biological processes of the nervous system, including the connections and brain regions responsible for cognitive functions, emotions, and social behaviors.
Modern neuroscience has advanced significantly due to new neuroimaging techniques, which enable non-invasive studies of brain function. Neuroimaging encompasses a range of innovative tools, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to directly examine what happens in the brain when individuals engage in various cognitive or perceptual tasks. The advent of methodologies capable of "opening a window" into the human brain to observe mental processes for the first time has profoundly revolutionized neuroscience.
Success Stories e Case Studies del Neuroscience Lab
Neuroscience and Art at the Cenacolo Vinciano
A neuroscientific study commissioned by the Polo Museale Lombardia evaluated the experiential dimensions of viewing Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper and Donato da Montorfano's Crucifixion within the Cenacolo Vinciano Museum and the accompanying visitor path. The study utilized various devices to track neuroscientific indicators, offering insights into the audience's engagement and perception.
This research project identified risk factors associated with the intention to abandon education and mapped psychological distress within the sample group. Based on the collected data, two practical tools were developed, focused on predictive factors to help prevent dropout. Additionally, a dedicated page on the Group’s website was created for parents, students, teachers, and professionals, showcasing the results, sharing the practical tools and providing customized outreach materials prepared by the research team to raise broader social awareness.
Financial Education for Youth at the Museum of Saving
In support of the Museum of Saving in Turin, this research examined, from a neuroscientific perspective, the behaviors associated with saving decisions among middle school students. The project measured cooperative behaviors and self-efficacy, employing a game as part of the study to better understand the role of gaming in learning and memory retention processes. The validated game was incorporated into the museum’s educational offerings and the app was made available on major app stores.
MariaDonata Orfei, Desirée Estela Porcari, Gianfranco Spalletta, Francesca Assogna, Fabrizio Piras, Nerisa Banaj, Emiliano Ricciardi
International Journal Environmental Research and Public Health (august 2023)
Matteo Bisanti, Roberto Di Paolo, Veronica Pizziol, Sebastiano Accardi, Francesca Maggi, Giovanna Paladino, Emiliano Ricciardi, Ennio Bilancini
Proceedings of 16th European Conference on Games Based Learning, ECGBL22 (Sept 2022)
Francesco Di Gruttola, Andrea Patricelli Malizia, Sonia D'Arcangelo, Nicola Lattanzi, Emiliano Ricciardi, Maria Donata Orfei
Frontiers in Neuroscience (2021)
"The Italian Validation of the Cognitive Insight Scale: Underlying Factor Structure in Psychotic Patients and the General Population"
MariaDonata Orfei, Desirée Estela Porcari, Gianfranco Spalletta, Francesca Assogna, Fabrizio Piras, Nerisa Banaj, Emiliano Ricciardi
International Journal Environmental Research and Public Health (august 2023)
"Digital Escape Games in Educational Programs for Financial Literacy"
Matteo Bisanti, Roberto Di Paolo, Veronica Pizziol, Sebastiano Accardi, Francesca Maggi, Giovanna Paladino, Emiliano Ricciardi, Ennio Bilancini
Proceedings of 16th European Conference on Games Based Learning, ECGBL22 (Sept 2022)
“The Relation Between Consumers' Frontal Alpha Asymmetry, Attitude, and Investment Decision"
Francesco Di Gruttola, Andrea Patricelli Malizia, Sonia D'Arcangelo, Nicola Lattanzi, Emiliano Ricciardi, Maria Donata Orfei
Frontiers in Neuroscience (2021)
“Mental health in the post-lockdown pandemic phase: relief or exacerbation of psychological distress? A cross-sectional study in the general population in Italy”
Maria Donata Orfei, Francesco Bossi, Sonia D’Arcangelo, Francesca Maggi, Nicola Lattanzi, Andrea Patricelli Malizia, Emiliano Ricciardi
Acta Psychologica (2022)
