Yearly Archives: 2020

The EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) will shortly launch a new multinational call for proposals for “Linking pre-diagnosis disturbances of physiological systems to Neurodegenerative Diseases”.

The development of efficient treatments for most neurodegenerative disease is hindered by the fact that their detection intervenes at late stages in which the integrity of the nervous tissue is very compromised. Purely characterised early physiological disturbances are known to appear before unambiguous symptoms of each neurodegenerative disease are detected. These changes may include, among others, disruption of sleep, olfaction, hearing, vision, metabolic factors as well as social engagement. All these signs have the potential to be used as early indicators of later diseases, and in most cases have the advantage that they are measurable in natural everyday life environments. Since some of these changes are very likely early indicators of nervous system dysfunction, the identification of the circuits and molecular pathways being affected might reveal promising targets for early interventions and therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

For this reason, JPND launches this joint transnational call with a view to promoting research aiming at the detection, measurement and understanding of early disease indicators related to neurodegenerative diseases, with potential for the development of new diagnostics or interventions. Proposals to this call must be ambitious, innovative, multi-disciplinary and multi-national, i.e. include research teams from at least three different countries.

The following funding organisations intend to support this joint transnational call:

  • Australia, National Health and Medical Research Council *
  • Belgium, The Fund for Scientific Research *
  • Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research *
  • Czech Republic, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports *
  • Finland, Academy of Finland *
  • France, French National Research Agency *
  • Germany, Federal Ministry of Education and Research
  • Hungary, National Research, Development and Innovation Office *
  • Israel, Ministry of Health *
  • Italy, Ministry of Health *
  • Luxembourg, National Research Fund *
  • Netherlands, The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Dev. *
  • Norway, The Research Council of Norway *
  • Poland, National Science Centre *
  • Portugal (Azores), The Regional Fund for Science and Technology *
  • Slovakia, Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic*
  • Spain, National Institute of Health Carlos III *
  • Sweden, Swedish Research Council *
  • Switzerland, Swiss National Science Foundation *
  • Turkey, Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey *

* Final decision pending

This will be a two-step call, expected to be launched in early January 2021, with a likely pre-proposal submission deadline in early March 2021. Further details will be provided with the launch of the call.

Please Note:
All information regarding future JPND call topics is subject to change
Final call information will be published on the JPND website (www.jpnd.eu)

The EU Joint Programme on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) has awarded funding to twelve multi-national research teams in order to enable research projects on Novel Imaging and Brain Stimulation Methods and Technologies, that may in time bring about the delivery of targeted and timely prevention and therapies for patients of neurodegenerative diseases.

Major increases in the range and power of technologies across the basic, clinical and patient-centred domains of JPND have been seen in recent years. These include the use of imaging and analysis technologies, from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to Position Emission Tomography (PET) to Molecular Imaging at both a molecular and a whole body imaging level, and the use of brain stimulation techniques such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Neuromodulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Whilst techniques as such help to better understand, treat or diagnose neurodegenerative diseases, there is a need to assess the potential of these approaches to deliver new and better treatment options for these debilitating diseases.

JPND has selected twelve teams with ambitious, innovative, multinational and multidisciplinary collaborative research projects aimed at the development of novel and the advanced use of existing cutting-edge imaging and brain stimulation technologies related to neurodegenerative diseases.

“The incredible progresses of brain imaging and brain stimulation during the last ten years, thanks to the development of new technologies, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence, offers new opportunities to better diagnose and alleviate the consequences of neurodegenerative diseases”, says Professor Philippe Amouyel, Chair of JPND. “Twelve ambitious and innovative research projects that will take stock of these new approaches to deliver new and better treatment options have been selected and will be supported by JPND.”

The twelve projects were recommended for funding* by an independent, international Peer Review Panel based on scientific excellence with input from the JPND advisory board on patient and public involvement. Proposals are presented in alphabetical order according to their acronym.

Visit the call results page here.

 

BioClotAD
Development of a neuroimaging biomarker to identify the pro-coagulant state in Alzheimer’s disease

Coordinator:
Marta Cortes-Canteli, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, F.S.P., Spain

Partners:
Manuel Desco Menéndez, Hospital General Gregorio Marañón, Spain
Dag Sehlin, Uppsala University, Sweden
Susanne Kossatz, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Germany

Scientific Abstract

 

BRAINSTORM
gloBal RetinAl Imaging coNSorTium fOR alzheiMer’s disease

Coordinator:
Peter van Wijngaarden, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Australia

Partners:
Ingeborg Stalmans, KU Leuven University, Belgium
Gauti Johannesson, Umeå University, Sweden

Scientific Abstract

DEBBIE
Developing a non-invasive biomarker for early BBB breakdown in Alzheimer’s disease

Coordinator:
Matthias Günther, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Germany

Partners:
Eric Achten, Ghent University, Belgium
Henri J.M.M. Mutsaerts, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Netherlands
Udunna Anazodo, Lawson Health Research Institute, Canada
Tormod Fladby, Akershus University Hospital, Norway

Scientific Abstract

DynaSti
Patient-specific dynamical modeling and optimization of Deep Brain Stimulation

Coordinator:
Andreas Horn, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Germany

Partners:
Bernadette van Wijk, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
Martijn Beudel, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Netherlands
Jorge Goncalves, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Alexander Medvedev, Uppsala University, Sweden
Dag Nyholm, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden
Frank Hertel, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Scientific Abstract

 

ImageTDP43
Imaging heterogeneous TDP-43 neuropathologies

Coordinator:
Magdalini Polymenidou, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Partners:
Patrizia Longone, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Italy
Ruben Smith, Skåne University Hospital, Sweden
John van Swieten, Erasmus Medical Center, Netherlands

 

NEURIPIDES

NEURofeedback for self-stImulation of the brain as therapy for ParkInson DisEaSe

Coordinator:
David Linden, Maastricht University, Netherlands

Partners:
Veerle Visser-Vandewalle, University of Cologne, Germany
Robert Jech, Charles University, Czech Republic
Béchir Jarraya, Université de Versailles-Paris-Saclay, France
Alfonso Fasano, University Health Network, Canada

Scientific Abstract

 

NIPARK
Targeting neuromelanin-linked neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in ageing and Parkinson’s disease using a combined imaging and brain stimulation approach

Coordinator:
Miquel Vila, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Spain

Partners:
Stephane Lehericy, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, France
Matthias Prigge, Leibniz-Institut für Neurobiologie, Germany
Matthew Betts, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Germany

Scientific Abstract

 

NeuroPhage
Phage-based targeted neural stimulation in neurodegenerative diseases

Coordinator:
Fabio Benfenati, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Italy

Partners:
Kenneth Dawson, University College Dublin, Ireland
Kristof Zarschler, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Ludek Šefc, Charles University, Czech Republic
Gilberto Fisone, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
Jean-Antoine Girault, INSERM, France

Scientific Abstract

 

PDWALK
Spinal-cord stimulation technologies and methods to alleviate gait deficits of Parkinson’s disease

Coordinator:
Grégoire Courtine, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland

Partners:
Jocelyne Bloch, University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland
Erwan Bezard, CNRS, France
Vincent Delattre, Gtx Medical BV, Netherlands

Scientific Abstract

 

PETABC
PET analyses of ABC transporter function for diagnostics and stratification of dementia patients

Coordinator:
Jens Pahnke, University of Oslo, Norway

Partners:
Oliver Langer, Medical University Vienna, Austria
Peter Brust, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany
Baiba Jansone, Univiersity of Latvia, Latvia
Ondrej Soukup, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
Fabien Gosselet, Universite d’Artois, France
Henrik Biverstål, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Scientific Abstract

 

REMOPD
Restoring Motor Functions in Parkinson’s Disease with Noninvasive Hybrid Transcranial Neuromodulation

Coordinator:
Saak V. Ovsepian, National Institute of Mental Health, Czech Republic

Partners:
Robert Chen, University of Toronto, Canada
Marc Fournelle, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Germany
Nevzat G. Gençer, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
Walter Paulus, Ludwig Maximillians Universität München, Germany
Toygan Sönmez, Alvimedica Medical Technologies, Turkey

Scientific Abstract

 

SCAIFIELD
Spinocerebellar ataxias: Advanced imaging with ultra-high field MRI

Coordinator:
Tony Stöcker, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Germany

Partners:
Pål Erik Goa, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
Pierre Maquet, Liège Université, Belgium
Thomas Klockgether, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Germany

Scientifc Abstract

 

* Please note this is a provisional decision. The final approval from national funding agencies is still ongoing.

 

 

A CALL FOR NOVEL IMAGING AND BRIAN STIMULATION METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

The EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) initiative has announced an €18 million transnational call for multinational research on novel imaging and brain stimulation methods and technologies for neurodegenerative diseases.

With neurodegenerative diseases on the rise and strongly linked to age, as many as 47 millon people worldwide are estimated to be suffering from Alzheimer’s and related disorders today. This figure is expected to double every 20 years as the population ages.

In recent years, major increases in the range and power of technologies across the basic, clinical and patient-centred domains of JPND have been seen. These include the use of imaging and analysis technologies, from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to Position Emission Tomography (PET) to Molecular Imaging at both a molecular and a whole body imaging level, and the use of brain stimulation techniques such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Neuromodulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Whilst techniques as such help to better understand, treat or diagnose neurodegenerative diseases, there is nevertheless a need to assess the potential of these approaches to deliver new and better treatment options for these debilitating diseases. 

In this context, JPND announced a new call, inviting multinational research teams to submit proposals for ambitious, innovative, multinational and multidisciplinary collaborative research projects aimed at the development of novel and the advanced use of existing cutting-edge imaging and brain stimulation technologies related to neurodegenerative diseases.

Professor Philippe Amouyel, University of Lille (France) and Chair of the JPND Management Board says: ”The incredible progresses of brain imaging and brain stimulation during the last ten years, thanks to the development of new technologies, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence, offers new opportunities to better diagnose and alleviate the consequences of neurodegenerative diseases. For its 2020 transnational call, JPND has decided to support ambitious and innovative research projects that will take stock of these new approaches in a trans-disciplinary context. We hope that this highly competitive call will allow us to assess the potential of these approaches to deliver new and better treatment options.”

Proposals submitted under this call must focus on one or several of the following neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, Parkinson’s disease and PD-related disorders, Prion diseases, Motor neuron diseases, Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), Huntington’s disease, Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

In addition, proposals must focus one or several of the following research areas:

  • Imaging technologies
  • Development of novel imaging technologies
  • Improvements to the application of existing cutting-edge imaging technologies
  • Brain stimulation techniques
  • New or improved applications of both invasive and non invasive brain stimulation techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Pre-proposals must be submitted no later than 15:00h C.E.T. on March 3, 2020.

For more information about the call, please click here.

The EU Joint Programme on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) was established to better coordinate research efforts across countries and disciplines to more rapidly find causes, develop cures and identify better ways to care for people with neurodegenerative disease. Today more than 40 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders – the most common class of neurodegenerative disease – and this figure is expected to rise in the coming decades. The JPND Research and Innovation Strategy identified research priorities and provided a framework for future investment and is available for download here.

Final call information will be published on the JPND website (www.jpnd.eu).

Press release English*

Press release French*

Press release German*

*Correction: In our English and French press releases, the date for pre-proposal submissions is listed as 6th March 2020. This is an error. The correct date for pre-proposal submissions is 3rd March 2020. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.