NPLAST

NPlast - A neuroscience school that aims to preserve and restore neuroplasticity in brain disorders

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Brain disorders impose an increasing economical and social burden in the member states of the European Union (EU). For most neurodegenerative diseases and many neuropsychiatric disorders no efficient treatment is available and no cure exists. In the next coming years the number of particularly elderly people suffering from brain disorders will tremendously increase. Predictions from the turn of the century about the exponential increase of dementia patients turned out to be correct and Alzheimer’s disease alone is underway to become the most expensive and most pressing health problem in the EU. The complexity of these diseases requires a more integrative view of the multiple interactions between genes and environment, synaptic processes and neuronal cicuitry. This is, however, not only achieved by training more young scientists in the relevant disciplines. The plastic properties of the brain can only be exploited by scientists that are trained to deal with this complexity and that are familiar with state of the art technology as well as with the principles at different levels of analysis. In consequence it is advisable for a training network to study more than one disease and to train scientists with a wide range of skills and background knowledge. The NPlast consortium consists of four partners from the private and seven partners from the public sector and will provide a research training program for fifteen young scientists. The program covers a broad spectrum of disorders and interventions ranging from synaptopathies and trafficking deficiencies to Alzheimer’s disease, and from altering gene expression programs to manipulations of the extracellular matrix of the brain to preserve or restore synaptic function. The key objective of the NPlast training network is to investigate neuroplastic principles that can preserve or restore function and that can be used to ‚rejuvenitate’ the brain in the elderly as well as to treat neuropsychiatric conditions in adults.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Brain disorders such as Alzheimer's are incurable and a major drain on the resources of any nation, with increased longevity only adding to the incidence of such conditions. EU funding is supporting a training programme to find solutions.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Elucidating brain disorders requires understanding several complex factors such as the interplay between genes and environment, synaptic processes and neuronal circuitry. The EU is investing in human capital through the research training network project http://www.nplast.de (NPLAST) (NPlast - A neuroscience school that aims to preserve and restore neuroplasticity in brain disorders).

NPLAST comprises partners from the public and private sectors to train 15 young neuroscientists in relevant techniques in neuroscience and to conduct multidisciplinary research. Areas being explored include synaptopathies, Alzheimer's disease, neuroplasticity, and preserving or restoring synaptic function. Project members will use animal models of cellular plasticity to identify disease-causing mechanisms.

Already, project researchers have made considerable progress in their endeavours. They developed novel tools using discrete mathematics to visualise dynamic neuronal processes and elucidate synaptic function in health and disease.

Studies on neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia revealed certain alterations in protein trafficking and protein composition of synapses.

Researchers successfully identified signalling pathways that cause and maintain a diseased state in the brain by altering gene expression. Alterations in brain synapse biogenesis that are specific to Huntington's disease were identified that could be targeted for effective therapy. The amyloid-beta peptide, a known player in Alzheimer's disease, was found to promote synaptic plasticity in the healthy brain.

NPLAST's multidisciplinary training activities will provide necessary expertise to young neuroscientists that will help them elucidate changes in the brain in health and disease. This in turn should lead to the development of innovative and effective interventions to prevent or restore normal brain function. Personalised treatment for conditions with hereditary components such as schizophrenia and Huntington's could be just around the corner.