Approved Research

Generative brain models in health and disease

Lay summary

Neurological and mental disorders are common, debilitating and often chronic conditions. While treatments are continuously improving, very few are curative. As such, it is crucially important to understand who is at increased risk to develop these disorders and what factors play a particularly strong role in determining who will actually develop a neurological or mental disorder. In this project, we will use brain imaging to determine the brain changes that take place in these disorders. We will then test which lifestyle, environmental, health and genetic factors contribute to the development of these disorders. Many of the factors that we examine are modifiable, for example through diet or lifestyle. In this way, we hope to be able to 1. Identify people who are at risk for developing a neurological or mental disorder prior to the onset of any symptoms and 2. Pinpoint modifiable factors that have the potential to prevent the onset of those disorders. In this way, new interventions can be determined to help people stay healthy.