Research Groups
The main research focus of the neuroimaging group is functional
imaging,
using SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography), PET (Positron
Emission Tomography), and MR (magnetic resonance). The research focuses
on the neural bases of personality dimensions, cognitive functions, and
psychiatric disorders with special emphasis on the serotonergic
neurotransmitter
system. The group has an extensive collaboration with the PET &
Cyclotron Unit at Rigshospitalet, the Danish Research Centre for
Magnetic Resonance
at Hvidovre Hospital, as well as other national and international
functional
imaging groups.
The research focus of the data analysis group is development and optimization
of data analysis methods for PET and SPECT images of the brain. The group is involved in several projects:
-
development of new reconstruction methods, which allow inclusion of advanced
scanner models
-
neuroinformatics, meta analysis of functional studies downloaded from Entrez-PubMed
-
development of automatic methods for definitions of volumes of interest
(VOI's)
-
optimization of the clinical use of the SPECT scanner.
At the Neurobiology Laboratory, which is allocated in a separate
building annexed to NRU’s main building, we work with different
animal models (experimental and transgenic), cell cultures (organotypic
and primary hippocampal cultures and different transfected cell lines)
and human material to elucidate the role of the serotonergic system in
neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases like depression and
Alzheimer. We make use, among other, of fluorescence
immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, autoradiography, receptor
binding studies, PCR , western blot and ELISA. Through a well
established collaboration with adjacent groups at Rigshospitalet and
the Faculty of Medicine, as well as with some pharmaceutical companies
and several international groups we have access to additional
animal models, techniques and expertise. The aim of the Neurobiology
Laboratory is to create a two-way bridge between basal experimental
research and the clinical projects carried on at NRU. Weekly meetings,
translational PhD projects and close interaction between the research
staff create a dynamic forum where ideas that range from the basal to
the clinical neuroscience are exchanged and discussed.
