The joint PET Centre of the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi, and Turku University Hospital (Tyks) will receive a €300,000 donation from the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation to celebrate the foundation's 75th anniversary. The donation will support a project investigating the effects of connections between the brain and the rest of the body on mental and physical health. The aim is to uncover the biological mechanisms through which mental functions can influence bodily processes and disease susceptibility, and vice versa.
The project, led by Professor Lauri Nummenmaa, uniquely combines the extensive expertise of the entire PET Centre, ranging from cardiological and metabolic research to brain studies, psychological research, modeling, and radiochemistry. The research seeks to establish a globally unique line of study on the connections between the body and the brain.
– For the first time, the project will simultaneously measure and model the metabolism of all body tissues and the brain, linking this data to multidimensional biological and psychological information collected from participants. The whole-body PET imaging method and comprehensive biological imaging to be developed in this project will transform our understanding of the connection between mental and physical illnesses, explains PET Centre Director Juhani Knuuti.
The Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation supports medical research, particularly in psychosomatics, promotes research based on anthroposophical medicine, and aims to enhance the role of culture and spirituality in society.
– Thanks to a few years of good investment returns, we wanted to conclude our anniversary year with a special contribution to research at Finnish universities, says the foundation's CEO, Jannica Fagerholm.
The Turku PET Centre is one of the world’s leading units for isotope imaging, encompassing radiopharmaceutical production, diagnostics, scientific research, and modeling. The adoption of a new whole-body camera has further strengthened the centre's position.
– The University of Turku warmly thanks the Gyllenberg Foundation for its support of the nationally and internationally significant research efforts at the PET Centre, which aim to enhance our understanding of the interconnection between the human mind and body,” says rector Marjo Kaartinen.
Video for the media:
> Whole body PET-scan (Video: Turku PET Centre)
