The research excellence centre on Molecular and Clinical Neurosciences (NEURO) is headed by Prof. Dr. Christine VAN BROECKHOVEN.

The research activity in the research excellence center NEURO focuses on molecular genetics and clinical neurology of neurodegenerative diseases comprising diseases of the central nervous system such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and related diseases; and of the peripheral nervous system such as motor- and/or sensory neuropathies and related disorders. The center brings together basic and clinical researchers from the Department of Molecular Genetics, VIB, and the Institute Born-Bunge, representing two major neuroresearch activities at the University of Antwerp. The excellence center aims at clarifying a series of fundamental questions related to the pathophysiological processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically, the elucidation of biological disease pathways by identifying novel genes and genetic risk factors and modifiers of genetic function, by analyzing the functional networks in which proteins encoded by these genes are operating, and ultimately, by providing novel avenues for early diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and treatment.