Research - The Clínic's Institute of Neurosciences

Research at the Hospital Clínic Neurosciences Institute is carried out by the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), in the following area:

Research focuses on advancing the understanding of the causes and prevention of various diseases of the nervous system.

The ICN also form part of other research structures such as the Centre for Networked Biomedical Research in Mental Health (CIBERSAM) and the Centre for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED).

Within the Clínic Institute of Neurosciences, there are multiple research lines in which clinical and basic researchers, along with professionals from the various disciplines that make up the Institute, work in a cross-disciplinary and collaborative way. The Institute's research is aimed at advancing the understanding of the causes and prevention of various nervous system diseases, as well as improving treatments, with growing emphasis on the precise characterization of each disease or disorder to enable more personalized therapies. In recent years, an innovative approach has also emerged in applying new technologies within the Institute to fully harness the potential of recent advances, such as digital phenotyping.

The Institute’s research focuses mainly on the following disorders and diseases: Depression, Bipolar Disorders, Schizophrenia, Addictive Behaviours, Gender Dysphoria, Personality Disorders, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Eating Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Brain Tumours, Brain Microsurgery, Stroke, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Pain and Sleep Disorders.

The body of research carried out by the various research groups has led to numerous publications with high international impact. Our research groups are present in the world's most important research consortia, serving as a point of reference and contributing substantially to the advancement of knowledge in their respective areas of interest.

This is also reflected in the international and multicultural profile that our research groups are progressively experiencing. Publications signed by the Institute’s researchers are found among the most cited articles in the scientific literature. Researchers regularly attend prestigious national and international neuroscience conferences as speakers and organizers. Some of the researchers are presidents, board members, and members of the scientific committees of Catalan, Spanish, European, and international medical societies. The high number of Catalan, national, and international research grants obtained by the Institute’s researchers is also noteworthy. There is constant participation in clinical trials, especially those focused on designing new treatments, including pharmacological, surgical, psychological, and physical ones to improve patient quality of life.

Within our Institute, the Research Coordination oversees the multitude of initiatives, grants, project proposals, and opportunities related to research and innovation coming from the different research groups or organized at the Hospital.