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Mission Statement

The research program at the Division of Neurobiology focuses on multiple system atrophy (MSA), a neurodegenerative disease (alpha-synucleinopathy) that is associated with autonomic failure, ataxia and parkinsonism. Over the years, the Division of Neurobiology has generated important contributions in key MSA research fields including disease mechanisms and therapeutic target discovery, clinical presentation and diagnostic tools. The Division of Neurobiology provides training in translational neuroscience for medical, master and doctoral students, as well as postdocs, national and international visiting scientists. We offer a dynamic international research environment, collaborative approach, and expertise in translational skills.

Structure

The Division of Neurobiology (Director: Univ.-Prof. Nadia Stefanova MD, PhD) has two main pillars of expertise: preclinical and clinical. The preclinical research program at the Translational Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory (TReND Lab) focuses on understanding the causes and disease mechanisms, on preclinical target discovery and disease modification in MSA and other alpha-synucleinopathies. The clinical research program at the Dysautonomia Center focuses on the early identification and development of personalized care programs for individuals living with MSA and other disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

History

In 2006, the Division of Neurobiology at the Medical University of Innsbruck was founded by Gregor K. Wenning and Nadia Stefanova. Wenning established the Division’s academic and clinical framework with a focus on MSA and was appointed Professor of Neurobiology. Stefanova founded and directed the Division’s laboratory dedicated to experimental MSA research and was subsequently appointed Professor of Translational Neurodegeneration Research.

Concurrently, Wenning initiated the Autonomic Function Unit, providing a clinical platform for disorders of the autonomic nervous system. In 2012, Alessandra Fanciulli joined as a clinical research fellow and contributed to its development, leading to the establishment of the current Dysautonomia Center at the Division of Neurobiology .

Since its inception, the Division of Neurobiology has integrated basic and clinical neuroscience, advancing translational research that links experimental models with patient-oriented care.