PSIDER grant BRAINMODEL for research on neurodevelopmental disorders

BRAINMODEL was founded by Matthijs Verhage (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC, chairman) and Nael Nadif Kasri (Radboudumc, vice-chairman) and brings partners from 6 knowledge centers in the Netherlands together with social organizations, professional associations and companies. The Vrije Universiteit is the main applicant. The consortium has been awarded a grant of €4M by ZONMW in the context of the Multidisciplinary Consortia Program Pluripotent Stem cells for Inherited Diseases and Embryonic Research (PSIDER) grant call.

The main aim of this project is to use iPSC-based analyses to detect aberrant cellular functions in the material of patients with brain disorders and to relate these to modern relevant clinical outcome measures: EEG biomarkers and patient-relevant symptom scales; the latter in collaboration with two associated clinical centers in Amsterdam and Nijmegen. It is tested whether the aberrant cellular properties in the IPSC-based analyses can be corrected with existing ‘off-label’ drugs. In that case, this safe, applicable medication for treatment is suggested to the doctors in the two associated clinics. In the event that no drug can be found to correct aberrant properties, BRAINMODEL will realize scaling of IPSC-based analyses using nanochip technology to enable large-scale drug research including the design of new drugs.

For more information about BRAINMODEL visit the website www.brainmodel.nl

Executive board of BRAINMODEL from left to right: dr. Nael Nadif Kasri (vice-chairman), prof. dr. Matthijs Verhage (chairman),

Renee Lustenhouwer (project manager).

Source: Radboudumc

For an overview of all awarded PSIDER grants visit the ZONMW website.

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