The scientific magazine of the University of Geneva, Campus, has dedicated its 150th issue to the NCCR-Synapsy. Campus reviews Synapsy’s major contributions to the early identification of symptoms of psychiatric diseases. It also highlights the paradigm shift that the National Centre of Competence in Read more… The post Synapsy at the heart of Campus first appeared on NCCR-Synapsy.| NCCR-Synapsy
The NCCR Synapsy came to an end on September 30th, 2022, after the maximal twelve-year support provided by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Its researchers, more than 200 clinicians and neuroscientists, have conducted cutting-edge research that has made major contributions to identifying the basis of psychiatric illnesses and allowed the emergence of a new discipline in Switzerland: psychiatric neuroscience.| NCCR-Synapsy
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects around one person in 300 worldwide, according to WHO. These individuals generally have a disturbed perception of reality and suffer from hallucinations. In addition, they face social isolation and loneliness. Schizophrenia is a disorder that is still widely misunderstood due to the great heterogeneity of symptoms and causes, which are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Furthermore, the various mental disorders can be v...| NCCR-Synapsy
During two events « Cultiver sa santé mentale », one at the César Roux auditorium of the CHUV and one at the large auditorium of UniDufour in the heart of the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Synapsy’s psychiatrists and neuroscientists shared their discoveries about the brain and mental health. The format chosen was that of a round table between researchers and clinicians to recreate the scientific dialogue as close as possible to the reality. Debates on the past, present and future of p...| NCCR-Synapsy
Interactions between two individuals who do not know each other —regardless of whether the interactions are aggressive, peaceful or constructive— follow a number of steps. The first consists quite simply of spotting the other individual and turning towards him or her. Contact is then sought, resulting in an ongoing social interaction. These steps, which depend on the reward system that originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain, involve dopaminergic neurons, widely recogn...| NCCR-Synapsy
A number of studies suggest a link between somatisation in children and in their parents. For example, children with early attachment disorders express more physical pain if their mothers show little maternal sensitivity. “These studies suggest that the inter-generational link between a mother’s somatisation and her child’s should be explored in greater detail so we can understand the potential impact of the family history on the child’s mental health”, begins Daniel Schechter, depu...| NCCR-Synapsy
Exposure to stress activates a group of natural physiological and cerebral responses that orchestrate the necessary behavioral changes for facing threats to one’s life, such as fleeing or fighting when confronted by a potential aggressor. Exposure to situations of intense or repeated stress can nonetheless have insidious effects and trigger psychiatric problems characterized by an alteration in motivation, such as depression. The studies conducted on motivation after exposure to stress have...| NCCR-Synapsy
“We know that stress can induce psychopathologies, including depression,” says Sandi. “Some of the characteristic behavioral changes that you see in depression are alterations in the individual’s sociability, meaning that some depressed people tend to be more retracted, a bit social-avoidant; some can even develop social anxiety.”| NCCR-Synapsy
