The Dutch Research Council (NWO) awarded three Amsterdam Neuroscience researchers a Vici grant. Vici is targeted at outstanding senior researchers who have successfully demonstrated the ability to develop their own innovative lines of research and to act as coaches for young researchers. The maximum grant is 1.5 million euros.

Odile van den Heuvel - Amsterdam UMC & VU Amsterdam

Neuroplasticity in obsessive-compulsive disorder: from lifespan changes to better treatment outcomes

(Re)shaping the compulsive brain. How the brain shapes during development contributes to the risk to develop obsessive-compulsive disorder, characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviours. Chronic symptoms, by the power of repetition, can also shape the involved brain circuits. The brain is ‘plastic’. By intensive behavioural therapy and magnetic brain stimulation, we can ‘re-shape’ the brain. Since everybody (including their brain) is different, the treatment effect will be best, when optimally aligned to the profile of the individual.

Martijn van den Heuvel – VU Amsterdam

Brain diversity: The human evolution of brain networks and cognition

We humans have a large brain and advanced cognitive abilities. But is it just the size of our brain that makes us this smart? There are many animals with small brains that are also intelligent, as well as many animals with larger brains that do not surpass humans in intelligence. Which parts of human brains are actually unique? This project compares the human brain to those of other animals and studies how unique adaptations to our brain may have given rise to our unique cognitive abilities.

Chun-Xia Yi – Amsterdam UMC & University of Amsterdam

Unravelling microglial obesogenic memory underlying body weight rebound to combat obesity

Weight regain after weight loss poses a major obstacle in obesity treatment. This research explores how microglia in the brains of obese individuals store an "obesogenic memory," affecting neurons that regulate food intake and body weight, ultimately driving weight regain once treatments are discontinued. The pathways identified in this process will be validated in human brain cells, offering new insights that could pave the way for more effective anti-obesity therapies.

NWO Talent Scheme

NWO’s Talent Scheme consists of the Vici, Veni and Vidi grants. Vici is one of the largest scientific grants for individuals in the Netherlands and is intended for advanced researchers. This funding enables scientists to set up their own innovative line of research and put together their own research group.

Source: NWO