Recherche épidémiologiques en neurologie et

Section des Unités de recherche
Report from the visiting committee
Research unit : Neuroepidemiology – UMR_S 708
University Paris 6
March 2008
Section des Unités de recherche
Report from the visiting committee
Research unit : Neuroepidemiology – UMR_S 708
University Paris 6
March 2008
Report from the visiting committee
The research unit :
Name of the research unit : Neuroepidemiology
Requested label : UMR_S
N° in case of renewal : 708
Head of the research unit : Mr Christophe TZOURIO
University or school :
University Paris 6
Other institutions and research organization:
INSERM
Date(s) of the visit :
March 18, 2008
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Members of the visiting committee
Chairman of the commitee :
Mr Bruno VELLAS, Toulouse
Other committee members :
Mrs. Laura FRATIGLIONI, Sweden
Mr Francesco PANZA, Italy
CNU, CoNRS, CSS INSERM,
representatives :
représentant INRA, INRIA, IRD…..)
Mr Jean-François DARTIGUES, Bordeaux, représentant des CSS de l’INSERM
None of the CNU members were available on the day of the visit.
Observers
AERES scientific representative:
Mrs. Archana SINGH-MANOUX
University or school representative:
Mr Jean CHAMBAZ, University Paris 6
Research organization representative (s) :
Mrs Josiane POGGIOLI, INSERM
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Report from the visiting committee
1 z Short presentation of the research unit
•
Total number of lab members : 19 including :
- researchers with teaching duties : 2
- full time researchers : 4
- engineers, technicians and administrative assistants : 6
- PhD students : 7, 4 with a fellowship
•
Numbers of HDR : 4 (2 being supervising student)
•
Numbers of PhD students who have obtained their PhD since January 2004 : 1
•
Average lenght of a PhD during the past 4 years : 4 years
•
Numbers of “publishing” lab members : 6 out of 6
2 z Preparation and execution of the visit
The visit was very well organized, everything was one time. The oral presentations were clear, short, precise
and concrete. The general overview, the paper scientific reports as well as the research team perspectives were also
very clear.
3 z Overall appreciation of the activity of the research unit, of its
links with local, national and international partners
The scientific activity of the research unit is very high both in the planned actions and in the publication
productivity. The international and national links are strong with the major research teams working in similar research
areas both in Fance and internationally. The 3C study is the best example of a very succeful research program in
collaboration with major centers over the country. Local links appears to be more difficult but maybe they are not so
necessary due to the links with other clinical teams.
The unit have only one team but several programs on Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Parkinson, Cognitive decline and
vascular factors, and projects in collaboraton with the CNAMTS. Some of these programs are pivotal for France both
for public health and research like the Creutzfeldt Jakob register, and the Brain aging and Cognitive decline database
to assess the link between neuroimaging findings and potential risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. Both
projects have high possibility to lead efficacious preventative strategies. The project on Genetic Epidemiology of
Parkinson’s disease is also very productive with extensive international collaboration.
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4 z Appreciation of resources and of the life of the research unit
The team is relatively small and the senior researchers are easily accessible for the youngers researchers. Five
engineers are a strong ressource for the unit. The seven PhD students are very active; during the visit some of them
have shown a relevent degree of independence. The PhD students represent definitively a good possibility of scientific
reinforce of the unit for the future. More regular staff meetings with all team members each week or every 2 weeks
may be recommended to facilitate exchange of experiences an to enrich the life of the research unit.
5 z Recommendations and advice
•
Strong points :
Unique expertise, highly valuable databases, rich publication production in major journals, national and
international grants, ability to plan and finalise the projects.
•
Weak points :
The critical size of the unit will be the challenges in the future, as presidential Alzheimer’s plan will bring
probably much more work and commitments. More senior researchers will be needed to lead and carry out new
project programs
•
Recommendations :
The committee recommend to recruit senior researchers and to build local collaborations, especially with the
clinical research groups.
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