Strategic Research Programme in Neuroscience
Brain disorders are among the most common causes of disability in high income countries. The European Brain Council has estimated that one third of European citizens will be affected during their lifetime. In addition to the suffering of patients and their families, this leads to enormous costs for society. In spite of the major impact on society, there is a lack of effective prevention and treatments. Karolinska Institutet, together with Umeå University, therefore establishes the strategic neuroscience programme.
The vision is that by integrating research in clinical and basic neurosciences, the programme will significantly advance knowledge to the point where the burden of disease from brain disorders that cause cognitive and motor dysfunctions is reduced. One aspect of this will be a striving to create a truly interactive, translational neuroscience milieu with an international reputation that will attract academic and industrial partners.
The mission is to:
- Reveal the biological underpinnings of cognitive and motor functions
- Identify etiology, pathophysiology, social and environmental risk factors of the major brain disorders
- Develop biomarkers for early detection and for monitoring disease progress
- Develop new approaches for prevention and treatment
- Foster a new generation of leaders and scientists in translational neuroscience
Research themes
- Basic mechanisms supporting motor and cognitive functions
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases
