AXIS 1 : GENETIC AND THE BRAIN
AXIS-1 GENETIC FACTORS
Genetic factors that are determining neurodevelopmental disorders and their underlying psychopathologies.
WP#1 – 22q11 DELETION SYNDROME
WP#2 – BIOMARKERS OF EARLY PSYCHOSIS
WP#3 – AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
WP#1 - 22q11 DELETION SYNDROME
This translational project aims to identify neurodevelopmental alterations responsible for the increased risk of developing psychosis in patients with 22q11 deletions as well as in a mouse model called Lgdel.
The goal is to study the relationship between the alteration of certain neural circuits and the behavioral manifestations of the disease. For patients, this is done via a multimodal analysis of neural networks and cognitive endophenotypes. In mice, synaptic alterations and abnormal circuits affecting the hippocampus as well as the prefrontal and cingulate cortex are investigated.
Clinical Cohorts
Principal Investigator
Fundamental Neurosciences
Principal Investigators
Stephan Eliez
U N I G E - O M P
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University of Geneva
Office médico-pédagogique
Rue David-Dufour 1
CH-1211 Genève 8
E-Mail
+41 22 388 67 41
Alan Carleton
ANIMAL MODELS
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UNIGE-CMU
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Publications (PubMed) >
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UNIGE
Dept of Basic Neurosciences
CMU
Rue Michel Servet 1
CH-1205 Geneva
E-Mail
+41 22 379 54 26
Pico Caroni
F M I - B A S E L
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The “Neurobiology” program at FMI >
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Publications (PubMed) >
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Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI)
Neurobiology
Maulbeerstrasse 66
P.O. Box 3775
CH-4002 Basel
E-Mail
+41 61 697 37 27
WP#2 - BIOMARKERS OF EARLY PSYCHOSIS
Based on the hypothesis that a redox dysregulation is a major risk factor for the development of schizophrenia, a translational approach in both humans and mice model is investigated.
Neurochemical, transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles will be studied and associated with the analysis of structural and functional networks in psychotic patients. The results will be compared with similar approaches, carried out via a mouse model deficient in an enzyme important in the synthesis of glutathione.
Clinical Cohorts
Principal Investigator
Fundamental Neurosciences
Principal Investigator
Philippe Conus
C H U V - P G E
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WP#2 Biomarkers of Early Psychosis
Publications (PubMed) >
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CHUV
Service de psychiatrie générale (PGE)
Site de Cery
CH-1008 Prilly-Lausanne
E-Mail
+41 21 314 31 11
Kim Do-Cuénod
C H U V - C N P
CHUV, CNP >
Biography >
CHUV
Centre de neurosciences psychiatriques (CNP)
Site de Cery
CH-1008 Prilly-Lausanne
E-Mail
+41 21 314 36 52
WP#3 - AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
This is a novel project emerging from the collaboration of members of the NCCR-Synapsy. The goal is to create a cohort of autistic patients, to assess their social behavior and to determine the potential impact of an early intervention on the behavior of these patients.
In parallel, studies in animal models will attempt to elucidate the role of certain molecular circuits that could reverse the disease phenotype. The effects of mutations on the circuits involved in social perception, anxiety and “reward” as well as the impact of a social enrichment on development will be analyzed.
Clinical Cohorts
Principal Investigator
Fundamental Neurosciences
Principal Investigators
Marie Schaer
U N I G E - O M P
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University of Geneva
Office médico-pédagogique
Rue David-Dufour 1
CH-1211 Genève 8
E-Mail
+41 22 379 12 30
Claudia Bagni
ANIMAL MODELS
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UNIL-DNF
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WP#3 Autism Spectrum Disorders >
Publications (PubMed) >
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UNIL
Département des neurosciences fondamentales
Rue du Bugnon 9
CH-1005 Lausanne
E-Mail
+41 21 692 51 20
Camilla Bellone
U N I G E - C M U
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Research Lab >
LWiN Lemanic Women in Neuroscience network.
Bonus :
Interview about being a project leader in a scientific environment.
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WP#3 Autism Spectrum Disorders >
Publications PubMed >
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University of Geneva
Department of Basic Neurosciences
Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU)
Rue Michel-Servet
CH-1211 Geneva
E-Mail
+41 22 379 54 33