Diseases impairing the function of the central and peripheral nervous system are key drivers of impaired quality of life and permanent disability. Prominent examples are brain tumors, psychiatric disorders, chronic pain, stroke, neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders. The demographic development and environmental factors will lead to an increase in the incidence and prevalence of these diseases, in particular in the context of an urban environment. Existing treatments are often limited as the underlying pathomechanisms are still incompletely understood.

The Mannheim Comprehensive Neuroscience Campus (MCNC) integrates research activities of the Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience (MCTN) with clinical acitivites in Neurology, Neurosurgery, Neuradiology and Mental Health at the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH). Research in our Research Focus Translational Neurosciences aims at clarifying the mechanisms that determine the clinical impacts of neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases and translating this knowledge into precise tools for therapy and prevention. Our scientists develop and apply a variety of different methods such as innovative imaging techniques, animal models, single cell analyses, mathematical models and high throughput analyses of large databases to study neurophysiological, neurooncological, neurodegenerative, neurogenetic or neuropharmacological processes underlying disease and devise innovative precision therapies.

MCNC scientists and clinicians closely interacts with scientists and clinicans from other Campuses and Centers of the Medical Faculty Mannheim, such as the Mannheim Comprehensive Angioscience Campus (MCAC) to promote Neurovascular Research, the Mannheim Comprehensive Tumor Campus (MCTC) to promote Neurooncology Research, the Mannheim Comprehensive Medical Systems Technology Campus (MCSC) to promote the development of data science and device development in Neurosciences as well as the Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health (CPD) to promote prevention of neuropsychiatric diseases and the Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunoscience (MI3) to foster the development of trageted immune interventions. Strong ties with Research Institutions within the Heidelberg Mannheim Health and Life Science Alliance leverage existing scientific and clinical excellence of Heidelberg University and its partners, the German Cancer Research Center, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research.

Of particular importance to the MCNC is the promotion of young scientists and clinicians to create an environment that allows them to perform independent research and attain scientific and clinical excellence. Doctoral students, scientists and physicians are supported by dedicated training programs provided by the School of Translational Medicine.