Integrative Neuromedicine
Understanding neurological disorders across scales, from molecules to society
Neurological disorders affect more than 250 million people worldwide and account for a major part of the global disease burden. Conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases are highly complex and difficult to understand and treat. Despite major scientific advances, many neurological disorders still lack effective diagnostics and therapies. One of the main challenges is that neurological disorders operate across many different levels simultaneously: from molecular and cellular mechanisms to brain-wide network activity, behaviour, cognition, ethics and societal experience. Research and healthcare are often still organised in separate disciplines and scales, making translation from laboratory discoveries to patient care difficult.
Within the Convergence Health & Technology Flagship Integrative Neuromedicine, researchers from Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam work together to develop a truly transdisciplinary approach to neurological disorders. The Flagship integrates neuroscience, engineering, computational modelling, philosophy, ethics and clinical practice into one connected research ecosystem to help accelerate translation from fundamental discovery to future patient care.
What the Integrative Neuromedicine Flagship works on
The Flagship investigates neurological disorders across scales: from molecules and cells to patients and society. Researchers combine advanced imaging technologies, organoid and in vitro neural models, computational neuroscience, behavioural analysis, nanomedicine, ethics and philosophy to better understand disease mechanisms and develop future diagnostics and interventions. A central scientific focus is the mTOR pathway, which plays an important role in several neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. The Flagship is structured around three interconnected work packages:
- Mapping — developing technologies and methods to better observe and measure the brain throughout life;
- Understanding — studying differences between healthy and diseased brains across biological, computational, behavioural and societal levels;
- Intervention — translating findings into future diagnostics, treatments and therapeutic technologies.
The long-term goal is to create an integrated pipeline that accelerates translation from fundamental discovery to clinical application while incorporating ethical reflection, patient perspectives and societal relevance from the earliest stages.
Featured story
Problem-free switching between different levels of knowledge
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Why do promising neurological discoveries often fail to translate into effective treatments for patients? In this featured story, Daan Brinks explains how Integrative Neuromedicine aims to bridge gaps between disciplines — from molecular biology and neuroscience to clinical care, psychology and philosophy — through a truly transdisciplinary approach. The story offers insight into the broader vision behind the Flagship and the ambition to create better connections between fundamental research, diagnostics and patient care. Read the interview/story. |
Innovation highlights
Computational models and early-stage digital twins
The Flagship develops computational models and early-stage digital twins of neural networks that combine biological, imaging and behavioural data. These models help researchers simulate disease processes, better understand neurological disorders and explore future personalised treatment strategies for conditions such as autism, epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.
Targeted ultrasound-triggered drug delivery
Researchers are developing ultrasound-triggered drug delivery technologies that enable highly targeted release of medicines in the body. The approach combines nanomedicine, ultrasound physics and molecular modelling to improve treatment precision, reduce side effects and support future personalised interventions for neurological and other complex diseases.
Advanced imaging and functional diagnostics
The Flagship develops advanced imaging technologies and functional diagnostic approaches to improve the early detection and understanding of neurological disorders. By combining high-content imaging, electrophysiology, AI and molecular analysis, researchers work towards earlier, more precise and more personalised diagnostics.
Patient-derived organoids and neural disease models
Researchers develop patient-derived organoids and neural models to study neurological diseases in a controlled laboratory setting. These models help uncover disease mechanisms, test potential interventions and bridge the gap between fundamental neuroscience and future clinical applications.
Ethics, neurodiversity and societal perspectives in neuromedicine
Flagship News: Integrative Neuromedicine
Policy & societal impact
Integrative Neuromedicine combines neuroscience and technology development with ethical reflection, patient perspectives and societal considerations. Researchers contribute to national and international dialogues on neurotechnology, nanomedicine and responsible innovation, including collaborations with organisations such as Alzheimer Nederland and the Deutscher Ethikrat. The Flagship also supports public engagement and awareness around neurological health and patient-centred care through educational and outreach activities, including Brain Awareness Week. By connecting neuroscience, engineering, philosophy and clinical practice, the Flagship aims to contribute to more responsible and societally embedded innovation in neuromedicine.
Partners & ecosystem
The Flagship brings together researchers from Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam across fields including neuroscience, imaging physics, molecular biology, nanotechnology, philosophy, psychology and computational modelling. The Flagship also collaborates with external scientific and societal partners in areas such as neurotechnology, medical imaging, data science and translational neuroscience.
Education & talent development
Education and interdisciplinary talent development are strongly embedded within the Flagship. Integrative Neuromedicine involves bachelor, master and PhD students in cross-disciplinary research projects, joint supervision and convergence-oriented learning environments across the three institutions. The Flagship also contributes to broader discussions on future transdisciplinary education models that better connect neuroscience, technology, healthcare and societal perspectives.
Looking ahead
In the coming years, Integrative Neuromedicine aims to further strengthen its integrative research pipeline connecting fundamental neuroscience, computational modelling, diagnostics and intervention research. The Flagship continues to develop technologies and methodologies that support better understanding and translation of neurological disease mechanisms across different biological and societal scales.
At the same time, the Flagship is expanding collaborations around neuro-imaging, computational neuroscience, neurotechnology and responsible innovation, while continuing to build a broader interdisciplinary ecosystem for future neuromedicine research and education.
