Brain

At Erasmus MC, doctors, psychologists and scientists have started an expertise center for individuals with autism spectrum disorder with a rare genetic cause. Their goal: better care and scientific insights.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a partner in healthcare. Researchers, tech businesses and the government are joining forces to make this happen. Together they are setting up 17 laboratories, two of which will be at Erasmus MC. ‘The impact of AI on healthcare could be enormous.’

Genetics is more than just genes; this has been known for some time. But how do you find your way around the millions of pieces of DNA whose function is not yet known? Researchers at Erasmus MC took a big step in separating the wheat from the chaff during brain development.

During Lof der Geneeskunst, four researchers were awarded a fellowship. This enables them to pursue their research over the next four years. Dean Stefan Sleijfer: ‘These are the greatest research talents of Erasmus MC. Their work likely will make an impact on us and our loved ones.’

Only 40 patients worldwide are known to have Barakat-Perenthaler syndrome, a severe untreatable form of epilepsy. Four years after discovering the disease, its Rotterdam namesakes are now on the trail of a treatment.

Erasmus MC researchers Dr. Nitika Taneja and Dr Nilhan Gunhanlar have been awarded an Incentive Grant for Women in STEM from NWO. This grant aims to retain women qualified in science, and to provide them with a stable launchpad for an academic career.

The brain of people who experience less social support shrinks slightly faster than the brain of people who feel more socially supported. This was discovered by Erasmus MC researcher Isabelle van der Velpen.