Swaab Group

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The hypothalamus regulates and integrates a wide variety of endocrine, autonomic and behavioral processes which are essential for the organism’s survival and reproduction. The hypothesis that guides our research is that disturbances of the functional activity of the human hypothalamus may develop into neurological, psychiatric or (neuro)endocrine disorders.

The present research is focusing on two research objectives:

1. To determine the hypothalamic basis of signs and symptoms of psychiatric, neurological and neuroendocrine disorders.
2. To reactivate metabolically impaired neurons in Alzheimer patients in order to maintain or restore function.

The aim of both research lines is to find putative factors and targets for therapeutic strategies.