In the field of neuroscience, there are many diseases for which there is no prospect of radical treatment. To develop diagnostic and therapeutic methods for neurological and psychiatric disorders, it is critical to understand the structure and function of the underlying cranial nerves in these disorders. If we are to create innovative new diagnostic and therapeutic methods, we must go beyond disease concepts to uncover common pathophysiological mechanisms across diseases and incorporate technologies and strategies from outside the field of neuroscience.
In this new national neuroscientific research program, we will leverage and build on the research and technology infrastructure developed to date by the National Research Program for Neurological Disorders and Mental Health program in order to advance scientific understanding of brain mechanisms and pathophysiological mechanisms. We will also develop the digital brain and related research platforms utilizing mathematical models and will promote research to discover seeds for developing revolutionary drugs, diagnostic and therapeutic methods to prevent or reverse the onset and progression of dementia and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. To maximize the impact of our research results, we will strengthen our international network and promote two-way collaboration between basic and clinical researchers in industry and academia.
The three pillars of the program scheme are the “Core Organization”, “Projects for the Priority Research Themes,” and the “Practical Application Support Team.”
The Core Organization will conduct research and coordinate the Projects for the Priority Research Themes. Other duties will include coordination between basic and clinical researchers and between industry and academia, interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., between dry and wet labs), development and sharing of research platforms, and compilation and dissemination of research results (outreach).
The Projects for the Priority Research Themes will focus on the following five areas:
- Development of innovative technologies and research infrastructure
- Fundamental understanding of the dynamics of higher brain functions in humans
- Elucidation of pathological mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders
- Development of the “digital brain,” and related research platforms utilizing mathematical models
- Seeds discovery for developing revolutionary drugs, diagnostic and therapeutic methods
The Practical Application Support Team will support the Projects for the Priority Research Themes to promote practical application of research results by developing strategies of intellectual property and other aspects of putting the research results into practical application. It will also advise on research ethics pertaining to the Projects for the Priority Research Themes and will conduct surveys on research ethics to advance and accelerate R&D in relevant fields.
Through this program structure, we will fully leverage the industry-academia-government consortium, inter-ministry collaboration, and the research infrastructure built through AMED projects to advance understanding of brain mechanisms and contribute to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods that can radically prevent or reverse the onset and progression of dementia and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.