Neurodegeneration is an umbrella term labeling a wide portfolio of different diseases that cause a continuous decline in brain/nerve cell function, leading to mostly severe cognitive impairment and/or motor dysfunction over time. Neurodegenerative disorders include rare forms, such as strictly genetically caused cases, as well as sporadic forms of age-related brain disorders that are affecting more and more people around the world as they get older. The exact pathogenesis of most neurodegenerative diseases is still far from understood, rendering prevention as well as therapy difficult. Dementia disorders are among the most prevalent types of neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer’s Disease as the most common form.

Despite intensive international efforts over several decades, the exact cause(s) of Alzheimer’s disease is still not fully understood. The research approaches pursued over the last three decades in particular have largely been based on one central hypothesis. However, a resounding therapeutic success has unfortunately not yet been achieved. 

NI²N acts on the long requested concept of „expanding the box“ – the development of new pathobiochemical research approaches.

Thus, our goal is to promote scientific discourse in the research of age-related neurodegenerative processes, most notably Alzheimer’s Disease and related pathologies. We believe that bringing together experts from different related fields to identify gaps in research as well as compile and develop novel ideas is the way to promote innovation in neurodegeneration research.

NI²N is a project funded by the Dr. Eberhardt Strebel Foundation, which supports Alzheimer’s disease research and promotes innovative and interdisciplinary concepts that go beyond the mainstream of neurodegeneration research to encourage the expansion of old concepts and the development of new, interdisciplinary scientific approaches to allow a multifaceted perspective.