Neurobiology Research Unit

Neurobiology Research Unit (NRU) conducts translational neuroscience research on brain neurotransmission with the aim to promote preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic advances. We make use of in vivo molecular, structural, and functional brain imaging to uncover disease mechanisms and risk correlates as well as to determine drug effects. We also make use of animal and cell models as well as human brain tissue to investigate drug effects and diagnostic value in the clinic. We bring discoveries from cells and animals into healthy volunteers and patients as early as possible. NRU is a major training site for pre- and postgraduate students and relative to its number of staff members it has an outstanding scientific output. Most of NRU's budget is covered by external funding. We will continue to develop new PET- and SPECT-radiotracers for diagnostics or as biomarkers for use in brain disorders. We will identify biomarkers and mechanisms behind affective, aggressive, neurodegenerative and -inflammatory disorders and will develop new treatment or prevention strategies. 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 collaborates with many other national and international research institutes. Further, NRU is partner in and houses the management of three larger research centres, namely Center for Integrated Molecular Brain Imaging (Cimbi), COGNITO - Novel Treatments of Cognitive Dysfunction (Cognito), and Center for Experimental Medicine Neuropharmacology (NeuroPharm). A Danish presentation of NRU is available here.