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 and Cyclotron
Centre 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 developement and optimization
of data analysis methods for PET and SPECT images of the brain. The group
are involved in several projects, as:
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development of new reconstruction methods, which allow inclusion of advanced
scanner models
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neuroinformatics, meta analysis of functional studies downloaded from Entrez-PubMed
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development of automatic methods for definitions of volumes of interest
(VOI's)
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optimization of the clinical use of the SPECT scanner.
At the Neurobiology Laboratorium, 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 neurospychiatric 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 Laboratorium 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.
