Brains Unlimited - Psychology and Neuroscience - Maastricht ...

Brains Unlimited

Brains Unlimited
New impetus for brain research
Our brain may very well be the most important part of our body.
It controls every important bodily function; not just our physical
functions but also our behaviour. Thanks to new experimental
possibilities, research into the workings of the human brain has
gained momentum and won the attention of many interested
parties. However, we still know relatively little about the workings
of the brain. Further development of the experimental possibilities
in this research field is therefore extremely important and
promising.
Now there is an opportunity to give this research a new boost
and, in doing so, to help find the key to fighting common diseases
such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and MS. Also, it
is a chance to gain more insight into the development of human
behaviour.
A unique chance, in a unique place too: in Maastricht, the heart
of one of the most promising Euregions. Maastricht University
is home to the Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), which
is internationally renowned when it comes to interpreting brain
scans. This research centre works closely with other research
groups both from inside and outside the university, and is supported
by the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+).
If it succeeds in acquiring the most advanced, strongest MRI scanner
(9.4 Tesla), the M-BIC will become the uncontested world leader.
In close collaboration with the renowned Forschungszentrum
Jülich, itself located just around the corner from Maastricht, a
unique project is on the horizon in a field that represents a core
interest of the scientific community: research into how the human
brain works.
We cannot allow this opportunity to pass us by. The M-BIC is ready
and has already proven itself. Our renowned scientists are waiting,
full of ambition and impatience. However, a substantial amount
of money is needed to realise this strategic investment.
Collaborating top institutes
Working with a team of enthusiastic scientists, Rainer Goebel,
professor of Cognitive Neurosciences at Maastricht University, is
carrying out pioneering fundamental and applied brain research.
The M-BIC, which is part of the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience
at Maastricht University, is known worldwide for its development
and knowledge of the analysis and interpretation of brain
images. Its research results are regularly published in leading scientific
journals like Nature and Science. International scientific boards
and subsidy providers consistently describe the Maastricht research
team as excellent.
The M-BIC forms a strong team with the Forschungszentrum Jülich,
which won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2007. The respective expertise
available in Maastricht and Jülich is highly complementary,
and in today’s Europe such collaboration is a great example of international
alliances which complement rather than test each other’s
strengths. If this collaboration succeeds, it will provide an enormous
impetus for other projects. This is part of the reason why the com-

Prof. Rainer Goebel:
“For me, science is a passion. Cracking the code of the brain is like an expedition by explorers.
The Tesla 9.4 is a big step forward in the microscopic world of how our brains work. It is an
adventure in which we, as pioneers of science, are pleased to take part.”
plementary combination of the know-how of both institutes
represents a unique partnership, which has also been catching
the attention of scanner suppliers.
The Tesla 9.4
The Tesla 9.4 – an fMRI ‘super scanner’ with ultra-strong magnetic
fields – is essential for the M-BIC to take a huge leap forward in
science and scientific applications. There are now three of these
machines in the world: in Jülich, Tübingen and Minnesota. The applications
of MRI are extremely varied, which is why having several
high-magnetic field scanners available during the development
stage of the collaboration between Maastricht and Jülich will offer
great added value.
The machine arrived in Jülich in April 2009. The research in Jülich
will in the first instance focus on the development of imaging in
high magnetic fields using MRI, in combination with other techniques
(PET). In Maastricht, the focus lies on image analysis. This
extremely advanced piece of equipment will make it possible to
take major leaps and bounds in the field of brain research. These
scanners show the anatomy and functioning of the brain right
down to the very smallest details (at molecular level). Because of
their high resolution – comparable with that of the most advanced
HD televisions – they reveal not only how the brain works, but also
exactly what happens inside the brain.
Closer to revelations
The ultra-strong magnetic scanner to be acquired unravels the mysteries
of the brain in a way that has never been done before. This is
essential, because more than one third of all illnesses originate from
abnormalities in the brain. It also provides a clear picture of other
parts of the human body, at a miniscule, molecular level, in minute
details. This means a big step forward in our understanding of brain
diseases and behavioural disturbances, but also cancer and metabolic
disorders, the basis of many childhood illnesses and ageing.
Opportunities for patients
By carrying out research using this ‘super scanner’, scientists will be
able to gain a better understanding of the structure of the body
and the brain, as well as how they work. Patients will be able to rely
on fast and improved diagnoses, and at the same time be spared
awkward or painful examinations. Further, doctors will gain answers
to their questions about illnesses of the body and mind, and
the pharmaceutical industry will be able to set to work on developing
effective and preventive drugs. Economists will gain insights
into human decision making. Psychologists and educationalists will
be better able to understand the development of high-risk behaviour,
for example, and gain new insights into how people – from
young to old – learn. It will also be possible to develop techniques
for the use of joysticks or other equipment via brain activity, which
will be important for people with major disabilities like locked-in
syndrome.
Spin-off
This ‘super scanner’ is also highly attractive for companies specialising
in the field of hardware and software developments and braincomputer
interfaces. The pharmaceutical industry is already showing
great interest in the possibilities relating to drug development.

In addition, academic hospitals will be able to take a great step
forward by using it in clinical neuroscience. And the scanner will
present unique study and training opportunities, which will appeal
to students and researchers throughout the world. All this will have
important spin-offs in the form of innovative developments.
Maastricht University spearhead
Maastricht University has chosen Brains Unlimited as its spearhead
of innovation. This ambitious project will require a lot of money: the
scanner is not the only acquisition necessary. Among other things,
proper housing will be necessary for both the scanner and for the
growing staff of specialists. Laboratory facilities will be needed for
specialised research, and maintenance of the expensive, sensitive
equipment will also cost money.
Partners and users’ organisations
Maastricht University is putting a great deal of effort into this
project – more than ever before! The university has identified national
and European donors who are keen to be involved in realising
this important and pioneering project. However, we are still looking
for supplementary and decisive support from social investors and
philanthropists. Ten million euros is still needed to fulfil Brains Unlimited’s
vision through the purchase of the ultra-strong fMRI scanner.
Partnership with Brains Unlimited will give donors the opportunity
to work with UM researchers and administrators and to play a
role in internationally renowned, high-quality research.
Also, an organised interest group and two users’ organisations have
been set up:
• an interest group for collecting-box funds which support the
Brains Unlimited initiative,
• a users’ organisation for harmonising the projects of Dutch
researchers who wish to use the MRI facilities in Maastricht,
• a users’ organisation for harmonising the projects of international
researchers who wish to use the MRI facilities in Maastricht.
These unique joint efforts will bring us closer than ever to cures for
many serious and invasive illnesses such as dyslexia, epilepsy, MS,
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and behavioural disturbances
like schizophrenia, aggression and ADHD.
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging: in other words, the
formation of anatomical and functional images using magnetic
resonance. Functional MRI (fMRI) is a special form of MRI applied
in modern brain research, in which a computer is used to visualise
the activity of the brain in a three-dimensional image. Hospitals
primarily use MRI scanners of 1.5 or 3 Tesla. Tesla is the unit used
to indicate the strength of the magnetic fields used. The term
harks back to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor, electrical
engineer and physicist who is regarded as one of the greatest
engineers and inventors of all time.

Financial Business Plan
Summary*
Investments, funding and exploitation
Along with the new scanner lab, where the 9.4 Tesla MRI scanner
will be housed, a new incubator (Neuropartner) will also be built to
provide space for the spin-off activities. So, too, will new accommodation
for visiting scientists of Maastricht University. In this summarised
business plan, however, we only discuss the realisation of
the new scanner lab with the MRI scanners. The spin-off activities
and university accommodation have their own funding channels
and thus separate funding procedures.
Investments
The total investment for the new scanner lab amounts to € 25,776
million, including building costs and VAT. The project consists of one
bunker building for the 9.4T MRI scanner and for research and laboratory
purposes.
INVESTMENT ESTIMATE MRI facility
(k€)
Land costs 64
Building costs 5,146
Scanner + start-up costs 16,080
Additional building costs 4,486
Total 25,776
Table 1
Table 1 shows the investment estimates for the new scanner lab.
The estimates are based on data from AT Osborne, the company
which is responsible for the building management. The price of the
MRI scanner plus corresponding equipment is based on market
exploration.
Funding
Table 2 shows the project funding for the 9.4T MRI facility plus
related equipment.
FINANCING ESTIMATE MRI facility
(k€)
EFRO-subsidy/OP-Zuid 2,000
Subsidy Province of Limburg and EZ
The Ministry of Economic Affairs 2,000
Contribution from the Maastricht
Municipal Council 750
Contribution from Maastricht University (loan) 11,026
Fund acquisition 10,000
Total 25,776
Table 2
EFRO subsidy/OP-Zuid
An application for a subsidy from the European Fund for Regional
Development (EFRO) has been submitted as part of the OP-Zuid
programme. Definitive allocation is expected to take place in mid
May 2010. This EFRO subsidy will lead to a similar contribution from
the Province of Limburg and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Contribution from the Maastricht municipal council
The Maastricht municipal council intends to contribute € 750,000
to the project. Brains Unlimited is considered an important boost
for the Maastricht Life & Science Campus and therefore also for the
economic development of the region.
Contribution from Maastricht University and ownership
construction
Based on the current investment estimate, UM’s own contribution
amounts to € 11 million. This contribution will be made available in
the form of a loan. A transparent ownership construction will be
established for the sake of simplicity of organisation, decisiveness,
verifiability of the subsidies, reduction of funding pressure by VAT
shifts, and risk limitation.
Multiyear financial plan for operation of the MRI facility
Table 3 shows the net profit, fixed costs, results and cash flow of the MRI facility for the first six years.
MRI BV (amounts in k€’s) 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Net turnover 2,524 2,694 2,959 3,324 3,733 3,826
Fixed costs 2,902 2,994 3,080 3,160 3,234 3,300
Result - 378 - 300 - 121 164 499 526
Cash Flow per year 22 - 382 - 138 136 467 521
Cash Flow cumulative 22 - 360 - 498 - 362 105 626
Table 3
*This plan has been assessed by Deloitte.

Why the 9.4T scanner?
• For a clear image of the brain and the body
• For clear insight into brain processes (learning, deciding, slowing down, doing, paying attention, ignoring,
socialising, ageing)
• For clear insight into behavioural and health disorders (tumours, metabolic disorders, diabetes, depression,
dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, MS, obsession, schizophrenia, dyslexia, ADHD, etc.)
• For the development of effective treatments and drugs
• For excellent and pioneering research with a major scientific and innovative spin-off
• For unique international study and training opportunities in imaging techniques
• To attract students, scientists and companies from throughout the world
• For painless patient examinations and a fast, preventive diagnosis
• To ensure that the Netherlands gains and maintains a leading position in brain research within Europe
Contact
If you would like to know more about Brains Unlimited or become a partner, please contact
Jos Kievits (jos.kievits@maastrichtuniversity.nl) or Willem Mattens (w.mattens@maastrichtuniversity.nl),
or visit the website: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/brainsunlimited
Based in Europe, focused on the world. Maastricht University
is a stimulating environment. Where research and teaching are
complementary. Where innovation is our focus. Where talent
can flourish. A truly student oriented research university.