Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS)

The Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS) is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the intricate interplay between neurobiology, genetics, and environmental factors that contribute to behavioral patterns and mental health. Our primary goal is to leverage neuroimaging genetic datasets, employing precise analysis techniques, to unravel the underlying mechanisms in the brain. This includes identifying the genetic and environmental mediators influencing behavior, enabling accurate prediction and targeted stratification of mental disorders.

By discerning the impact of environmental factors on mental health, PONS strives to develop tailored behavioral interventions, thereby contributing to overall population-based health improvement. Our research delves into the intricate relationships between the environment and causal brain mechanisms, shedding light on both the risks and resilience against environmental adversity. PONS is actively crafting inventive solutions to understand the biological foundations of dysfunctional behavior and mental disorders, aiming to tackle these issues on a global scale. The PONS Centre is based at the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience at Charite and the Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI) at Fudan University, Shanghai. 

Methods

• Advanced multimodal structural and functional neuroimaging
• Environmental and urban profiling using remote sensing satellite
• Digital health assessment
• Base pair to protein -omics
• Movement profiling
• Machine learning and AI
• Brain simulation using Digital TwinBrain
• Data federation using COINSTAC

Clinical Focus

• Stratified Psychiatry
• Population Mental Health
• Personalised Medicine
• Cross-disorder symptomology
• Depression and anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• SUD/AUD
• Environment and mental health