NCCR-Synapsy

The Synaptic Bases of Mental Diseases

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

Stephan Eliez

U N I G E - O M P

University of Geneva
Office médico-pédagogique
Rue David-Dufour 1
CH-1211 Genève 8

E-Mail
+41 22 388 67 41

Alan Carleton portrait

Alan Carleton

ANIMAL MODELS

UNIGE-CMU

Research Lab >

UNIGE
Dept of Basic Neurosciences
CMU
Rue Michel Servet 1
CH-1205 Geneva

E-Mail
+41 22 379 54 26

Pico Caroni portrait

Pico Caroni

F M I - B A S E L

The “Neurobiology” program at FMI >

Biography >

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

Philippe Conus

C H U V - P G E

CHUV
Service de psychiatrie générale (PGE)
Site de Cery
CH-1008 Prilly-Lausanne

E-Mail
+41 21 314 31 11

Kim Do-Cuénod portrait

Kim Do-Cuénod

C H U V - C N P

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 portrait

Marie Schaer

U N I G E - O M P

University of Geneva
Office médico-pédagogique
Rue David-Dufour 1
CH-1211 Genève 8

E-Mail
+41 22 379 12 30

Claudia Bagni portrait

Claudia Bagni

ANIMAL MODELS

UNIL-DNF

Research Lab >

UNIL
DĂ©partement des neurosciences fondamentales
Rue du Bugnon 9
CH-1005 Lausanne

E-Mail
+41 21 692 51 20

Camilla Bellone portrait

Camilla Bellone

U N I G E - C M U

Research Lab >
LWiN Lemanic Women in Neuroscience network.

Bonus :
Interview about being a project leader in a scientific environment.

University of Geneva
Department of Basic Neurosciences
Centre MĂ©dical Universitaire (CMU)
Rue Michel-Servet
CH-1211 Geneva

E-Mail
+41 22 379 54 33