Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEROTONIN and BEYOND (Serotonin and BEYOND: Brain development research Excelling Young Ones in Neurotechnologies and Discoveries)
Período documentado: 2021-01-01 hasta 2022-12-31
Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter playing a key role in neuropsychiatric disorders. It is most commonly used drugs in psychiatry target serotonin neurotransmission. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the efficacy of these drugs is suboptimal. A new wave of research revealed that serotonin has powerful neurotrophic and neurodevelopmental actions. It is well possible that the suboptimal efficacy of serotonergic medication is because origins of neuropsychiatric disorders do not per se lie in disturbed serotonin neurotransmission, but rather in serotonin-mediated neurodevelopmental changes. This would require totally different approaches to reduce disease burden and costs. We hypothesise that it are the serotonin-mediated downstream changes in brain development and maturation that confer risk to serotonin-related neuropsychiatric disorders.
The overarching objective of this ETN is to provide high-level training in the field of serotonin, neurodevelopment, neuropsychiatry and neurotechnologies. The specific scientific objectives of this ETN involve the following 4 objectives:
1.To determine the role of serotonin in perinatal raphe-PFC network formation
2. To define the role of serotonin in postnatal raphe-PFC network maturation
3.To elucidate how serotonin-mediated neurodevelopmental changes translate to psychiatric endophenotypes and respond to environmental stimuli
4.Optimize new technologies to measure serotonin-mediated neurodevelopmental changes and cognition .
The overarching objective of this ETN is to provide high-level training in the field of serotonin, neurodevelopment, neuropsychiatry and neurotechnologies. The specific scientific objectives of this ETN involve the following 4 objectives:
1.To determine the role of serotonin in perinatal raphe-PFC network formation
2. To define the role of serotonin in postnatal raphe-PFC network maturation
3.To elucidate how serotonin-mediated neurodevelopmental changes translate to psychiatric endophenotypes and respond to environmental stimuli
4.Optimize new technologies to measure serotonin-mediated neurodevelopmental changes and cognition .
The first reporting period of Serotonin and Beyond was focused on implementing the training and management structure of the project as well as hiring the 15 ESRs. During the first months of the project, we have successfully developed, organized and executed the recruitment process. After a successful online Kick-off in June 2021, we had all ESRs appointed and starting work during autumn/winter 2022. We held a General Assembly meeting on January 2022, to welcome and introduce all ESRs to the consortium and the network.
All ESRs have developed Personal Career plans and are following training courses provided by the network and also their institutions.
Towards achieving the scientific objectives we have developed an analytic tool to measure tryptophan metabolites.
All ESRs have developed Personal Career plans and are following training courses provided by the network and also their institutions.
Towards achieving the scientific objectives we have developed an analytic tool to measure tryptophan metabolites.
Our expected result is to deliver a new generation of high achieving early-stage researchers (ESRs), who will be equipped with a combination of multi-faceted technical skills and a thorough understanding of brain development. ESRs with experience in cross-species data translation, and transferable skills necessary for thriving careers in a burgeoning area that underpins innovative technological development across a range of diverse disciplines. This goal will be achieved by a unique combination of “hands-on” research training, non-academic placements and courses and workshops on scientific and complementary so-called “soft” skills. These ESRs will increase the level of critical knowledge in the multi-level trajectories through which serotonin during pre- and postnatal development shapes prefrontal cortex-steered behaviour and cognition, and transdiagnostic psychiatric endophenotypes. Our ESRs will lay the groundwork for advances in the fundamental understanding of serotonin-mediated neurodevelopment and the origin of transdiagnostic neuropsychiatric endophenotypes.
Foreseen societal implications involve the identification of risk factors for psychiatric disorders and and delivering insight in critical windows for interventions as well as new ideas for future intervention approaches redirecting serotonin-mediated developmental changes. This will lead to improved prevention of these disorders and promote mental health.
S&B goes beyond the state-of-the-art in several ways. First, it focusses on serotonin-mediated neurodevelopmental processes as potential origin of major psychiatric disorders like autism, depression and activity deficit hyperactivity disorder. Second, it not only addresses neurodevelopmental changes in the serotonin system itself, but also changes in non-serotonergic systems, which may ultimately contribute to the disorders. Third, we tackle the developmental processes from the prenatal phase up to adulthood across preclinical and clinical studies that implement comparable genetic and early life factors. Fourth, novel technologies like light-sheet imaging of brains in 3D and homecage cognitive testing are being implemented. Fifth and last, across studies sex differences are investigated.
Foreseen societal implications involve the identification of risk factors for psychiatric disorders and and delivering insight in critical windows for interventions as well as new ideas for future intervention approaches redirecting serotonin-mediated developmental changes. This will lead to improved prevention of these disorders and promote mental health.
S&B goes beyond the state-of-the-art in several ways. First, it focusses on serotonin-mediated neurodevelopmental processes as potential origin of major psychiatric disorders like autism, depression and activity deficit hyperactivity disorder. Second, it not only addresses neurodevelopmental changes in the serotonin system itself, but also changes in non-serotonergic systems, which may ultimately contribute to the disorders. Third, we tackle the developmental processes from the prenatal phase up to adulthood across preclinical and clinical studies that implement comparable genetic and early life factors. Fourth, novel technologies like light-sheet imaging of brains in 3D and homecage cognitive testing are being implemented. Fifth and last, across studies sex differences are investigated.