Jan Willem de Gee, Universiteit of Amsterdam
Cognitive flexibility: mapping brain circuits underlying changes of mind
Predictions inform almost all our decisions. For example, when choosing the bike over the bus, based on the predicted duration and weather conditions. But what happens when unexpected changes in the world render our predictions invalid? For example, nearby roadworks result in a longer-than-predicted trip duration. This research project uses a new and multidisciplinary approach to uncover the brain circuits that mediate the flexible updating of prior beliefs. This will lead to fundamental insights about consciousness and decision-making as well as applications in the realm of medical psychology.
Helga Haberfehlner, Amsterdam UMC & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Artificial intelligence automated assessment and monitoring of dystonia in childhood
Dystonia is a brain disorder with involuntary movements and postures. In childhood, dystonia occurs due to congenital and acquired brain disorders. Assessment and monitoring of dystonia is challenging as symptoms vary during the day and exacerbate with stress, emotions or pain. To capture variation of dystonia and interaction with physiological changes, measurements with videos and wearable sensors will be performed. Advanced analysing techniques based on artificial intelligence will be applied to develop an easily applicable method for automated and frequent dystonia monitoring in the home situation. This methodology has a high potential to contribute to optimal treatment of dystonia.
Vera Wiersma, Amsterdam UMC & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Bad romance: comorbid pathologies in Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia. In the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients, the protein tau and protein fragment Aβ aberrantly pile up. In about half of the patients, the protein TDP-43 additionally accumulates in neurons. This comorbid TDP-43 pathology accelerates cognitive decline, yet its biological cause is not understood. This research uses brain tissue and neural cell culture models to determine the origin of TDP-43 co-pathology in Alzheimer's disease, thereby opening avenues for personalized therapy.
Josjan Zijlmans, Amsterdam UMC
Helping traumatized youngsters talk with psychedelics
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious condition that is common in young people. If not treated in time, it can have lifelong consequences. Although effective therapies exist, a quarter to half of adolescents are not well served by them. This is often because it is emotionally difficult to talk about trauma. Therapy with psychedelics is a new, innovative way to potentially help this hard-to-treat group. This study investigates whether this form of therapy is suitable for adolescents, how it can help them, and whether its effects differ from those in adults.
NWO Talent Programme
The NWO Talent Programme gives researchers the freedom to pursue their own research based on creativity and passion. They receive up to EUR 320,000. The program encourages innovation and curiosity. Curiosity-driven research contributes to and prepares us for tomorrow's society. That is why NWO focuses on diversity in terms of researchers, domains, and backgrounds. Together with the Vidi and Vici grants, Veni is part of the Talent Programme.
Check out more Veni recipients working on neuroscience-related topics like Thomaz Bastiaanssen, Tessa Blanken, or Micha Heilbron.
Source: NWO