Alzheimer Nederland, EpilepsieNL, Hersenstichting and Stichting MS Research join forces within the BRAINS partnership. By combining the funds, they can achieve more for people with a brain disorder. Together with Health~Holland, the research institutions and the companies involved, the BRAINS partnership invests long-term in research that is important for several brain disorders. The first research within this partnership is now starting!

One of the focus areas of BRAINS is research into the blood-brain barrier and the development of brain-specific research techniques. The first research that is now starting within BRAINS is a study into the blood-brain barrier at Amsterdam UMC entitled “Immune events at the blood-brain barrier” (acronym “IMM-BBB”).

Research into the blood-brain barrier

The blood-brain barrier protects your brain. Good substances are allowed through, bad substances are stopped. Unfortunately, medications are also often withheld. This is a major problem in the treatment of brain disorders such as epilepsy.

In brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), the blood-brain barrier does not work properly. This can contribute to or even cause the disease.

In this IMM-BBB, researcher Elga de Vries from Amsterdam UMC wants to find out what happens to the blood-brain barrier in brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and MS. With this knowledge she wants to develop models in which you can see how the barrier behaves with a specific brain disorder. This is an important step because it can be used to improve and develop treatments.

About BRAINS

BRAINS is a collaboration between Alzheimer Nederland, EpilepsieNL, Hersenstichting and MS Research Foundation. Within this collaboration, the health funds will bundle their public-private allowances for Research & Innovation for 10 years. Together with Health~Holland, the health organizations intend to invest 800,000 euros per year in research into the causes and treatments of brain disorders. Research institutions and companies also contribute; their joint ambition is an investment of 15 million over 10 years in research. BRAINS focuses on issues that are disease-overarching. This way, the combination of funds achieves more for people with a brain disorder.

BRAINS originated from the National Brain Plan; a movement that wants to realize solutions for people with a brain and/or mental illness. The collaborative project is co-financed with a PPP allowance that has been made available to BRAINS by Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health, to encourage public-private partnerships.

For more information about Health~Holland and National Brain Plan, visit www.health-holland.com and www.nationaalplanhoofdzaken.nl.