Panagiotis Zis

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NEUROPHYSIOLOGY LAB

“Where great minds meet”

Born in Athens, Greece in 1982, I embarked on a journey in medicine, earning my Medical Degree from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2005. I furthered my education with an MSc in Health Care Management from the Hellenic Open University in 2012 and completed my PhD in Neurology in 2013 at the same institution. In 2015, I received my Certificate of Completion of Training in Neurology. I also achieved certification through the American Board exams in Electrodiagnostic Medicine in 2017

Since 2019, I've been part of the University of Cyprus, where I began as an Assistant Professor. In 2024, I was promoted to Associate Professor of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, leading the Neurophysiology lab at the Medical School and the Clinical Neurophysiology lab at Nicosia General Hospital.. My work focuses on advancing the field of neurology, particularly diseases of the peripheral nervous system and pain, and enhancing clinical practices in neurophysiology.

 

 

Associate Professor, Panagiotis Zis

Educational Centre for Clinical Medicine

Medical School, University of Cyprus

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Peripheral Neuropathy

This research area focuses on the epidemiology, natural history, phenomenology, and treatment of peripheral neuropathy. Ongoing projects include investigating the relationship between gluten sensitivity and neuropathy, studying idiopathic neuropathies, and exploring the links between neuropathy and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Collaborations with the University of Sheffield and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens enhance our research efforts, allowing us to leverage diverse expertise and resources. Through these projects, we aim to deepen our understanding of peripheral neuropathy’s underlying mechanisms and identify effective treatment options that improve patient quality of life.

 

Clinical Neurophysiology

In this research area, we focus on developing new diagnostic methods to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of neurological assessments. After establishing normative data for our highly equipped lab, recognized as one of the best in Europe, we are now working on identifying innovative ways to diagnose neuromuscular diseases. By integrating data from various sources, including advanced imaging and electrophysiological techniques, we aim to refine diagnostic protocols and improve the overall understanding of neuromuscular disorders. Our goal is to bridge gaps in current diagnostic practices, ultimately leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses that can guide effective treatment strategies.

Pain in Different Diseases

This research explores the complex interplay between pain and various medical conditions, investigating its mechanisms, impact on quality of life, and effective management strategies. Ongoing projects include evaluating pain in neuropathies of various etiologies, assessing pain in dementia, and examining pain in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. Through these studies, we aim to better understand how pain manifests in different patient populations and to develop tailored interventions that address the unique challenges faced by individuals with these conditions. Our goal is to enhance pain management strategies and improve the overall quality of life for patients suffering from pain-related issues.

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SELECTED GRANTS
  1. “Internal UCY funding of over €300,000 has been allocated to establish the Neurophysiology lab, which currently operates with two EMG machines (one portable), a thermal quantitative sensory testing (QST) machine, a vibration QST machine, an autonomic nervous system machine (Finapres), a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) system with neuronavigation, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) machines, and equipment for sudomotor function testing.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
  1. Michaelides A, Zis P. Depression, anxiety and acute pain: links and management challenges. Postgraduate medicine. 2019 Oct 3;131(7):438-44.
  2. Zis P, Daskalaki A, Bountouni I, Sykioti P, Varrassi G, Paladini A. Depression and chronic pain in the elderly: links and management challenges. Clinical interventions in aging. 2017 Apr 21:709-20
  3. Julian T, Glascow N, Syeed R, Zis P. Alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of neurology. 2019 Dec;266(12):2907-19.
  4. Durongbhan P, Zhao Y, Chen L, Zis P, De Marco M, Unwin ZC, Venneri A, He X, Li S, Zhao Y, Blackburn DJ. A dementia classification framework using frequency and time-frequency features based on EEG signals. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 2019 Apr 4;27(5):826-35.
  5. Zis P, Hadjivassiliou M, Rao DG, Sarrigiannis PG. Electrophysiological determinants of the clinical severity of axonal peripheral neuropathy. Muscle & Nerve. 2019 Apr;59(4):491-3.