Researching the most challenging questions in neuroscience

It is estimated that over 60,000 people in Finland suffer from degenerative diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Additionally, up to 200,000 patients suffer from severe depression in our country.

These diseases incur great costs to society, not to mention the human suffering that they cause.

“Trophic factors in the nervous system and the functioning of compounds affecting them offer very promising new medicinal approaches in treating a variety of diseases of the nervous system. Neurotrophic factors have a significant role in in drug efficacy,” says Mart Saarma, the Director of the Centre of Excellence in Trophic Factors in Neuronal Development, Plasticity and Disease.

The neurotrophic factors have a key role on all levels of cerebral activity from molecular to cognitive processes. Saarma’s research group has identified new trophic factors and their receptors. Researchers in the Centre of Excellence have also described medicinal substances that enhance the functioning of trophic factors.

“Currently, none of the drugs used for the treatment of degenerative diseases of the nervous system cures the disease or stops degeneration from progressing, they merely ease the symptoms of the disease. However, in experimental models neurotrophic factors have prevented the degeneration and death of neurons and may thus have an effect not only on the symptoms but also on the progress of the disease itself. Therefore, they offer an opportunity to develop completely new kinds of medicinal substances,” says Saarma optimistically.

The aim of the Centre is to study the complex and multilevel interaction between the trophic factors, extracellular matrix and ion transport proteins regulating the electrical activity of neurons. Several patents, patent applications and co-operation agreements with the industry and hospitals have already been realised on the basis of the research.

Professor Mart Saarma, the Director of Institute of Biotechnology, works as the Director of the Centre of Excellence in Trophic Factors in Neuronal Development, Plasticity and Disease. Other members of the Centre of Excellence are Professor Kai Kaila from the Faculty of Biosciences, Professor Heikki Rauvala, Professor Eero Castren and Dr. Matti S. Airkainen from the Neuroscience Center, and Dr. Urmas Arumäe and Dr. Claudio Rivera from the Institute of Biotechnology.

The Centre consists of seven internationally recognised groups affiliated with the Institute of Biotechnology, the Neuroscience Centre, and the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki. The unit has a staff of 72.

 

Text: Arja-Leena Paavola
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
Translation: Valtasana Oy