NCCR SYNAPSY (2010–2022)

Home institutions: EPF Lausanne; University of Geneva; University of Lausanne

Research of the NCCR

The NCCR “SYNAPSY – The Synaptic Bases of Mental Diseases” was aimed at discovering the neurobiological mechanisms of mental and cognitive disorders. Better understanding the origins of these disorders is a major challenge in psychiatry and the NCCR’s research led to the development of improved diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches.

Scientific impact

During the 12-year course of the NCCR, researchers developed unprecedented parallel studies in humans and animal models for multiple psychiatric disorders, including autism, early psychosis and mood disorders. Furthermore, the collaboration between neuroscientists and clinical psychiatry researchers may count as the most impressive achievement of the NCCR. This led to the reshaping of the scientific agenda itself as meaningful, translational questions could be addressed by leveraging the synergies between basic and clinical scientists. For instance, antioxidant interventions in schizophrenia and the effects of lactate on depression were tested.

Legacy

Over the NCCR’s 12-year duration, the three home institutions collaborated successfully by providing resources across campuses to the benefit of all institutions involved and other groups working in relevant fields. For example, the new building of the Center for Psychiatric Neurosciences at the CHUV Cery Campus and the integration of SYNAPSY in the Campus Biotech opened many opportunities for connecting with other centers, groups and, in particular, technology developers. After the NCCR’s conclusion, the three Synapsy Centres, at the EPFL, the University of Lausanne and the University of Geneva respectively, formed the Synapsy network. In addition, a number of start-ups were established, including GliaPharm. The NCCR researchers can also be congratulated for securing financial support from the (Geneva-based) NeuroNA Foundation to establish the Human Cellular Neuroscience platform at the Campus Biotech. This platform includes the BioBank, in which biological samples are stored and made available for future research.