Translational Neuroscience Network Netherlands (TN3)
Brain diseases represent the major social and economic burden in Europe. The European Brain Council reported in 2011 that neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases are responsible for 38% of Europe’s total disease burden. The total cost of these diseases in Europe in 2010 was estimated to be € 800 billion. The ageing of the European population will increase the social and economic burden even further the forthcoming years.
Both society and economy will benefit from a decrease in number and severity of brain diseases. A first step towards this goal is to study neurological and neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms. This knowledge will open up opportunities for early disease and risk detection, the development of efficient diagnostic tools, prevention, slowing down of disease progression and targeted therapy. These improvements will increase patient quality of life and decrease healthcare costs.
Strategic investments are essential to realize these potential breakthroughs. A bridge has yet been built between scientific research and the application in the clinical practice. The next step is to extend and strengthen this link. Here, it is crucial that both society and government become more aware of the burden of brain diseases in an ageing population and, even more importantly, of the possibilities to change the state of affairs by means of targeted investments in research and innovation.
The foundation of TN3
The Translational Neuroscience Network Netherlands is an initiative of disease-oriented neuroscientists to promote (pre)clinical research in the Netherlands. Its’ foundation will strengthen the translation of knowledge acquired in a laboratory to application in clinical practice. TN3 focuses on all major acute, episodic and chronic neurological, neuromuscular and neuropsychiatric diseases. The network represents complementary, multidisciplinary research groups in the field of disease-oriented neurosciences, neurology and neuropsychiatry from the eight Medical Centers in the Netherlands and the Royal Dutch Academy of Science. It stands for a broad national community of more than 150 neurologists, approximately 200 neuroscientists, more than 100 psychiatrists involved in academic research, and a total of over 1000 graduating specialists and PhD candidates in the field of disease-oriented neuroscience.
Mission and goals
TN3 research will contribute to knowledge on the molecular, microscopic and macroscopic neural substrate of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. To achieve this the network will:
- study neurological and neuropsychiatric disease mechanisms through an integrative and translational approach running ‘from bedside to molecule’ and vice versa, where infrastructure, scientific excellence and valorization initiatives come together. This goal will contribute to the development of new tools and methods for diagnostics, prevention and/or therapy;
- make a seminal contribution in helping to shape the regional, national and international research agenda. TN3 will do this in an entrepeneurial manner where open innovation and valorization, scientific excellence and toplevel graduate training are determining factors; and
- raise sufficient financial support to assure that the field of clinical neuroscience can carry out its main goals.
Contact
You can contact Arjen Brussaard (arjen.brussaard@vu.nl) or Moniek Lijster (NIHC; m.lijster@nwo.nl, 070-3440922) for more information.