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.
