Our mission at the Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU) at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet in Denmark is to conduct translational neuroscience research with the aim to promote preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic advances.
We make use of neuropsychological and behavioral assessments combined with MRI, PET, SPECT and EEG in humans to investigate basic neurobiological mechanisms in the healthy brain and brain disorders, as well as neuropharmacological effects on the brain. Advanced image processing and statistical methods are applied to our data. We also use animal and cell models to bring pre-clinical discoveries into healthy volunteers and patients as early as possible.
NRU is a major training site for pre- and postgraduate students and disseminates its scientific output widely. Most of NRU’s budget is covered by external funding.
We see our role as being a key unit in the Capital Region to conduct innovative diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive neuropharmacological research. This takes place in close interaction with the hospital clinics, academia and industry enabling immediate subsequent implementation of prevention strategies, diagnostics and innovative drugs as well as non-pharmacological treatments of patients with brain disorders.
NRU has strong collaborations with a range of excellent research institutes. Some of the larger research collaborations include the NRU-based Center for Integrated Molecular Brain Imaging (Cimbi), Center for Experimental Medicine Neuropharmacology (NeuroPharm), and the strategic alliance BrainDrugs.
Activities
Basic neurobiological and translational neuroscience research
Development and validation of new in vivo imaging probes
Neuropharmacological research in e.g. psychedelics
Open science, AI, and advanced data analysis
Neuroimaging research
Diagnostic brain imaging of neurological patients
Neuropsychology research
Cohort studies of patients with epilepsy and major depressive disorder
Education and training
Dissemination of results