Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the death of neurons in different regions of the nervous system and the subsequent functional deterioration of the affected areas. The best known examples of such pathologies are Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, although other conditions such as Huntington’s disease, the ataxias, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc, also belong to the same clinical group. Neurodegenerative diseases have an enormous impact on the lives of affected individuals and their families, as well as on society as a whole.
The Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) represents the Spanish initiative to combat neurodegenerative diseases. CIBERNED is a “networked” institute that brings together the best basic and clinical neuroscience research groups. Its objective is to foster high-quality, co-operative medical research aimed at the prevention and treatment of neurodegeneration.
CIBERNED’s legal structure is that of a consortium; it is formed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministry of Science & Innovation) and other public institutions such as the Spanish Scientific Research Council (CSIC), universities, hospitals, etc in cooperation with the governments of Spain’s autonomous communities.