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University of Bergen

Haavik Lab

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Brain

Our group investigates brain signaling mechanisms and molecules and how they are related to neurological and psychiatric disorders.
We are particularly interested in neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD and autism) and neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. We have discovered risk factors for neuropsychiatric disorders and are exploring proteins involved in brain functions, with the aim of developing new therapies. These proteins include enzymes involved in the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, enzymes involved in antioxidant defense and several regulatory and scaffolding proteins, such as 14-3-3 proteins.
The Haavik lab is part of the neurotargeting research group at the Department of Biomedicine.

Figure: Gyrid Nygård

Best paper 2020
Bilde av publikasjonen

The research group for neurotargeting wins prize for Best Paper 2020

Fundamentally new discoveries in biology or medicine are rare. The mentioned article is an example of such a discovery. The findings of this study will probably soon be found in standard textbooks in biochemistry and physiology.

News | Research
C section

Being born by Caesarian section may affect your intelligence

Researchers at the University of Bergen looked if there is a connection between the mode of delivery and the genetics of children’s intelligence.

Research project
PRIME logo

New mental health project aims to uncover insulin-related mechanisms linking disorders of body and brain.

An important European-funded initiative has been launched to explore how common molecular mechanisms may link metabolic disorders, especially type 2 diabetes and obesity, with brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and autism spectrum disorders. Jan Haavik and...

Research / Psychiatry
Jan Haavik og Astri J. Lundervold har bidratt med data til stor internasjonal genstudie om psykiatriske lidelser.

Many psychiatric disorders have a common genetic background

A range of psychiatric disorders have molecular similarities that modern diagnostic tools don't recognize. This shows an international study with 2 million participants. The K.G. Jebsen center for neuropsychiatric disorders has provided Norwegian data and analyses.

uklart bilder av ungdommer som går

K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders

The centre works with interdisciplinary translational research on neuropsychiatric disorders, Particular emphasis is placed on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Principal Investigator:

The lab is run by Professor Jan Haavik (personal page).