BRAINN: Brain Research and Integrative Neuroscience Network for COVID-19

新冠肺炎脑研究和综合神经科学网络(BRAINN)将通过与马斯特里赫特大学(UM)、伦敦国王学院(KCL)和根特大学(UGent)这三个脑研究领域的高级合作伙伴结成姊妹关系，促进塞浦路斯大学(UCY)的研究和创新能力，这一点在“扩大参与和加强ERA”工作计划中有所体现。通过网络活动、培训和协调行动，BRAINN将开发一种创新的应用神经科学方法，以表征新冠肺炎对大脑健康的影响，并提高因新冠肺炎而存在心理健康和认知问题的患者的评估、诊断、预后和治疗标准。UM、KCL和UGent团队在神经成像、非侵入性神经刺激和数字化评估方法方面拥有互补的世界知名专业知识，拥有广泛的研究管理经验和对COVID后研究的积极兴趣。让这些团队成为合作伙伴将提供必要的指导和培训，以便以互惠互利的方式对神经科学研究采取重点和系统的方法，以提高加州大学学院的研究形象，并加强大学学院工作人员的研究管理和行政技能。BRAINN将使所有合作伙伴受益，因为评估和治疗方案的标准化将加快数据收集，并将保障该网络的可持续性和未来的扩展。通过跨学科的研究和开发新的方法和技术，BRAINN将为个性化治疗做出贡献，将UCY和塞浦路斯带入科学前沿。此外，BRAINN将应对塞浦路斯近年来增加的人才流失挑战，并为减轻新冠肺炎带来的负担做出贡献。产生的知识和方法将扩展到BRAINN之外，因为它们将适用于其他影响大脑健康的疾病，即使新冠肺炎被根除。

The Brain Research and Integrative Neuroscience Network for COVID-19 (BRAINN) will advance the research and innovation capacity of the University of Cyprus (UCY) as indicated in the ‘Widening Participation & Strengthening the ERA’ Work Programme, by twinning with three advanced partners in brain research, Maastricht University (UM), King’s College London (KCL), and Ghent University (UGent). Through networking activities, training and coordinated actions, BRAINN will develop an innovative applied neuroscience approach to characterise the effects of COVID-19 on brain health and to elevate the standards of assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients with mental health and cognitive problems due to COVID-19. The UM, KCL and UGent teams have complementary world-renowned expertise in neuroimaging, non-invasive neurostimulation and digitalised assessment methods, extensive research management experience and active interest in post-COVID research. Engaging these teams as partners will provide the required mentoring and training towards a focused and systematic approach to neuroscience research in a mutually beneficial manner to raise the research profile of UCY, as well as strengthen the research management and administrative skills of UCY staff. BRAINN will benefit all partners, as the standardisation of assessment and treatment protocols will expedite data collection and will safeguard the sustainability and future expansion of the network. Through interdisciplinary research and development of novel methods and technologies, BRAINN will contribute to personalised treatments, bringing both UCY and Cyprus to the scientific forefront. Additionally, BRAINN will address the brain drain challenge that has increased in Cyprus over the recent years and contribute to the reduction in the burden created by COVID-19. The knowledge and methodologies produced will extend beyond BRAINN, since they will be applicable to other conditions affecting brain health, even when COVID-19 is eradicated.