Between 13-15 January, the PRIME project hosted a masterclass for early-career researchers (ECRs) and a two-day general assembly meeting. PRIME is a Horizon 2020-funded project that is studying dysfunctional insulin signaling in neurological conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Insulin is a key regulator of metabolism, promoting the uptake and processing of the sugars present in our food. Dysregulated insulin signaling is well-known as a driver of metabolic disorders such as diabetes. However new evidence points to a role for dysregulated insulin signaling in the brain as a contributor to neurological conditions such as OCD, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and AD. The PRIME project is investigating whether disturbances in insulin signaling in the brain are linked to these conditions, using a wide range of preclinical and clinical approaches.
Alongside established researchers and clinicians, PRIME brings together a number of early-career researchers, defined as researchers who are currently doing or have recently finished, their doctoral studies. To make sure that the ECRs (who are based in several partner institutions) are actively involved and engaged with PRIME, Jeanette Mostert organized a day-long ECR masterclass, during which ECRs summarized their research and obtained feedback on presentations from members of the scientific and ethical advisory board.
During the PRIME GA meeting, which was chaired by Dr. Janita Bralten (co-coordinator of PRIME), each of the workpackages provided updates on progress over the past year. Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have made good progress on addressing insulin mechanisms that may link the different neurological conditions that are the subject of PRIME. Between workpackage presentations, brainstorming sessions provided an opportunity for informal discussions of specific results, helping the consortium to refine the aims and objectives for PRIME in 2021 and beyond. More information on PRIME can be found here: https://prime-study.eu/
PRIME has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No.847879.
