Neurodevelopmental disorders include intellectual disability, autism, cerebellar ataxias, epilepsies, and many others. Mental health and neurodegenerative disorders may also have developmental antecedents. They are lifelong conditions with few disease-modifying treatments.
Large-scale DNA sequencing studies are unravelling the genetic basis of some of these conditions and this is providing exciting new opportunities to study these conditions, especially when combined with other clinical and basic sciences.
The aim of the OxNDC is to bring together all interested clinical and basic scientists working on neurodevelopmental disorders in Oxford. This will include those working in imaging and neuropathology, and those using cellular or animal models as well those using patient cohorts for genetic or other analysis.
The consortium will strengthen existing collaborations; form new collaborations; and share ideas, resources, materials and protocols. It will create a critical mass of clinicians and scientists with a new momentum capable of securing competitive funding, breaking new ground, and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Get involved
The inaugural meeting of the OxNDC is planned for March. Those interested, including anyone who would like to present their work, can contact andrea.nemeth@ndcn.ox.ac.uk for more information.