Neurotargeting Research Group
The Neurotargeting Research Group explores how the brain is affected by neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, with the goal of translating biological insights into more effective treatments. Our primary focus includes conditions such as depression, ADHD, OCD, anxiety disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. This translational approach demands expertise in both fundamental molecular and cellular biology, as well as clinical research and practical applications. Our team brings together a broad range of competencies—from animal models and biophysical protein analysis to pharmacology, clinical psychiatry, and neuroradiology. We are an international, interdisciplinary group that actively collaborates across scientific fields and geographic boundaries. We welcome new partnerships and are committed to advancing neuroscience through shared knowledge and innovation.
About the research group
The Neurotargeting Group constitutes one of three groups/labs in the Basic and Translational Neuroscience research unit.
Center for Neuropsychiatric Research (only norwegian) (external link)
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Featured
Publications
Doctoral Thesis (2018 - 2027)
2024
- Tore Ivar Malmei Aarsland - "Tryptophan and kynurenine pathway metabolites in neuropsychiatric disorders"
- Peter Daniel Szigetvari - "Monoamine synthesis in neurometabolic disorders affecting catecholaminergic functioning"
2022
- Elaheh Mahootchi - "Characterization of the PLP-dependent decarboxylases GADL1 and CSAD"
2020
- Johanne Telnes Instanes - "Personality traits, risk factors and comorbidities in Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder"
- Berit Skretting Solberg - “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; sex differences in psychiatric comorbidity and transgenerational recurrence risks. A population-based study using Norwegian registry data”
2019
- Tor-Arne Hegvik - "Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autoimmune diseases: etiological relationships and therapeutic possibilities"
- Arne Raasakka - “The Characterization of Disordered Membrane-Binding Proteins of Myelin: A Biophysical Approach"
2018
- Sadaf Ghorbani - "On the protein complex between 14-3-3 proteins and tyrosine hydroxylase – Isoform differences and modulation of phosphorylation states"
Doctoral Thesis (2007 - 2017)
2016
- Kaya Kvarme Jacobsen - ”Genetic susceptibility across neuropsychiatric disorders – genome-wide, candidate gene and interaction analyses”.
- Agnete Fossbakk - “Human tyrosine hydroxylase: Oxygen dependence and role in Dopa responsive dystonia”.
2015
- Ann Kari Grindheim - "Phosphorylation of Annexin A2. Regulation of subcellular localisation and function"
2014
- Helene Halleland – “Executive Functioning in adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). From basic mechanisms to functional outcome.”
- Thegna Mavroconstanti - “Biomarkers in adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)”
2013
- Elisabeth Toverud Landaas - “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults – Mood instability and genetic risk factors.”
- Aase Merethe Raddum - “Annexin A2 as a target for anti-angiogenic therapy”
2011
- Margaretha Dramsdahl - ”Hjernelateralisering, oppmerksomhet og kognitiv kontroll hos voksne med ADHD.”
- Anne Halmøy - “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: clinical characteristics and pre-and perinatal risk factors”.
2008
- Ingeborg Winge - "Human tryptophan hydroxylase 2; regulatory properties and characterization of missense variants involved in neuropsychiatric disorders".
2007
- Ingvild Aukrust: ”Annexin A2 as an mRNA-binding protein”.
People
Group manager
Jan Haavik Professor
Olga Therese Ousdal Associate Professor
Technical staff
Postdocs & researchers
Dushyant Kumar Garg Postdoctoral Fellow
Peter Daniel Szigetvari Postdoctoral Fellow
Berit Skretting Solberg Guest Researcher
Carlos Gomez-Martinez Postdoctoral Fellow
Sumit Kumar Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD students
Selina Cannon Homaei PhD Candidate
Tina Emilie Johnsen PhD Candidate
José Miguel Godoy Muñoz PhD Candidate
Lisa Reinmuth PhD Candidate
Masterstudents & research line students
André Høberg Research line student
Lise Skarstein Jakobsen Research line student
Amalie Austgulen Research line student
Stine Ravndal Johnsen Research line student
Contact
Are you interested in our research, or do you have any questions? Please contact research group managers professor Jan Haavik (jan.haavik@uib.no) or associate professor Olga Therese Ousdal (olga.ousdal@uib.no).