The Department of Clinical Neurosciences at University of Turku is committed to clinical neurological and neurosurgical education, contributing to high-level neuroscientific knowledge, and caring for patients through Neurocenter at Turku University Hospital.  

Welcome to the Department of Clinical Neurosciences

The Department of Clinical Neurosciences at University of Turku is one of the leading Finnish academic centers dedicated to excellence in patient care, research and education. 

Multiple clinical neurological and neurosurgical trials provide patients and their families with unique opportunities for treatment today and advance our care for the patients of tomorrow.

Internationally distinguished researchers supervise the research at the Department, and the network of professionals participating in the clinical research is extensive. 
 
Turku PET Centre, which functions in connection with the University and Turku University Hospital, provides exceptional possibilities for neurological research.

Turku Brain and Mind Center (TBMC) gathers more than twenty neuroscience research groups in Turku

Clinical Neurosciences
Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku

Publications, Dissertations and Professors

Best Scientific Article of the Year - Winners

2023

Saraste M, Matilainen M, Vuorimaa A, Laaksonen S, Sucksdorff M, Leppert D, Kuhle J, Airas L. Association of serum neurofilament light chain with microglial activation in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:698-706

 

2022

Joutsa J, Moussawi K, Siddiqi SH, Abdolahi A, Drew W, Cohen AL, Ross TJ, Deshpande HU, Wang HZ, Bruss J, Stein EA, Volkow ND, Grafman JH, van Wijngaarden E, Boes AD, Fox MD. Brain lesions disrupting addiction map to a common human brain circuit. Nat Med 2022; 28:1249-1255

Doctoral Dissertations
  1. Panelius, Martin. 1969. Studies on epidemiological, clinical and etiological aspects of multiple sclerosis.
  2. Frey, Harri. 1971. Enzymes of central nervous system myelin with special reference to maturation. An experimental study on guinea pigs.
  3. Sonninen, Vesa. 1971. Clinical, experimental and biochemical studies on the significance of monoamines in Parkinson's disease. 
  4. Lehtonen, Johannes. 1972. Visual evoked cortical potentials in man. Studies on recording and stimulation technique, and findings in migraine patients. 
  5. Marttila, Reijo. 1974. Epidemiological, clinical, and virus-serological studies of Parkinson's disease. 
  6. Siirtola, Taisto. 1974. Long-term treatment of Parkinson's disease with levodopa. Clinical and metabolic studies. 
  7. Kalimo, Hannu. 1974. Ultrastructural studies on the hypothalamic neurosecretory neurons of the rat. 
  8. Kangasniemi, Pentti. 1975. Biogenic amines and vasoactive peptides in the pathophysiology of migraine. Biochemical, clinical and therapeutical correlations
  9. Kytömäki, Ossi. 1975. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function in patients with intracranial neurological diseases
  10. Nikoskelainen, Eeva. 1975. Clinical, prognostic and etiological studies on optic neuritis. With special reference to its relationship to multiple sclerosis
  11. Molnár, Gábor. 1976. Experimental allergic neuritis. Immunological, neurochemical and morphological studies on rabbits
  12. Laaksonen, Hannu. 1977. Brain dopamine, GABA and acetylcholine neurons in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Neurochemical, clinical and therapeutical correlations
  13. Rautakorpi, Ilkka. 1978. Essential tremor. An epidemiological, clinical and genetic study
  14. Pynnönen, Seppo. 1979. Studies in the determination and the clinical pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide in epileptic patients, alcoholics and controls
  15. Röyttä, Matias. 1979. Studies on the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Morphological and neurochemical aspects
  16. Narva, Erkki. 1980. Radionuclide brain scanning and rapid sequential scintiphotography in patients with cerebral infarction
  17. Mölsä, Pekka. 1980. Dementia. A clinical study in the Finnish population
  18. Hukkanen, Veijo. 1982. Glycoprotein antigens in multiple sclerosis
  19. Saksa, Markku. 1982. The autonomic nervous system in experimental allergic neuritis. A functional, morphological and biochemical study
  20. Halonen, Jukka-Pekka. 1982. Normal and pathological firing pattern of single motor units in man
  21. Salonen, Reijo. 1983. Interferons in multiple sclerosis and optic neuritis
  22. Ruutiainen, Juhani. 1983. Studies on antibodies to central nervous system dominant antigens. With special reference to multiple sclerosis.
  23. Laihinen, Arto. 1983. Dopamine receptor function in Parkinson's disease. A clinical and biochemical study
  24. Forssell, Heli. 1985. Mandibular dysfunction and headache
  25. Grénman, Reidar. 1985. Involvement of the audiovestibular system in multiple sclerosis. An otoneurological and audiological study
  26. Halonen, Päivi. 1986. Vibratory perception thresholds in healthy and neurologically affected adults and children
  27. Koski, Kari. 1987. Threatened stroke. A clinical study of risk factors, atherosclerosis, role of platelet aggregation, and outcome in transient ischemic attacks and relation to transient global amnesia
  28. Rinne, Juha. 1987. Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and aging. A study of brain cholinergic and dopaminergic receptors with neuropathological aspects
  29. Laine, Matti. 1989. On the mechanisms of verbal adynamia. A neuropsychological study
  30. Nyrke, Timo. 1991. Spectral analysis of steady-state visual evoked potentials and the alpha rhythm in migraine
  31. Tenovuo, Olli. 1992. Substance P in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and ageing
  32. Kotilainen, Esa. 1994. Microinvasive lumbar disc surgery: a study on patients treated with microdiscectomy or percutaneous nucleotomy for disc herniation
  33. Heinonen, Esa. 1995. Selegiline in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies
  34. Päivärinta, Markku. 1995. Motor behaviour in experimental herpes simplex virus brain infection. Responses in dopamine and serotonin systems
  35. Soilu-Hänninen, Merja. 1996. Viruses and autoimmune inflammation in the brain: Role of leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules
  36. Ma, Shuang Yong. 1997. The substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease. A morphometric study on neuronal changes
  37. Erälinna, Juha-Pekka. 1997. Viral Facilitation and Treatment of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis in Balb/c Mice
  38. Ruottinen, Hanna. 1998. Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibition in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Responses to entacapone in positron emission tomography, pharmacokinetic and clinical studies
  39. Mattila, Petri. 1999. Cortical Lewy bodies and Alzheimer-type pathology in Parkinson's disease in relatation to cognitive impairment. A neuropathological and biochemical study
  40. Kaasinen, Valtteri. 2000. Dopamine D2-like receptors in the human brain. Positron emission tomography studies in Parkinson's disease and in healthy subjects
  41. Kaarisalo, Minna. 2000. Stroke and heart. Epidemiological studies on relations between stroke and cardiac disorders
  42. Portin, Raija. 2000. Cognitive functioning in midlife. Assessment by mild deterioration battery and CogniSpeed
  43. Lamusuo, Salla. 2001. Imaging the epileptogenic region with positron emission tomography in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
  44. Nurmi, Elina. 2001. Progression of nigrostriatal hypofunction in Parkinson's disease
  45. Kemppainen, Nina. 2002. Brain dopamine transporter and receptors in Alzheimer's disease
  46. Järvenpää, Tarja. 2003. Monozygotic twins and cognitive decline with emphasis on Alzheimer's disease
  47. Laatu, Sari. 2003. Semantic memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
  48. Brück, Anna. 2005. Cognitive impairment in early Parkinson's disease. A positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging study
  49. Roine, Susanna. 2005. Clinical and imaging findings in CADASIL
  50. Kupila, Laura. 2005. Aetiological diagnosis of acute central nervous system infections in adults. The role of PCR
  51. Koponen, Salla. 2006. Psychiatric sequelae of traumatic brain injury
  52. Strandberg, Marjatta. 2007. The role of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or atrial fibrillation
  53. Hiekkanen, Heli. 2009. Apolipoprotein E and Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury
  54. Koivunen, Jaana. 2011. Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Detection of Alzheimer`s Disease. A Positron Emission Tomography Study
  55. Jokinen, Pekka. 2011. PET and MR imaging in Parkinson’s disease patients with cognitive impairment. A study of dopaminergic dysfunction, amyloid deposition, cortical hypometabolism and brain atrophy
  56. Himanen, Leena. 2011. Cognitive Functions After Traumatic Brain Injury. A 30-year Follow-up Study
  57. Martikainen, Mika. 2012. Mitochondrial disease in Southwestern Finland. Population-based molecular genetic and clinical studies
  58. Virta, Jyri. 2012. Genetically Determined Hypometabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease and Midlife Risk Factors for Cognitive Impairment
  59. Joutsa, Juho. 2012. Neurobiology of pathological gambling. Brain imaging and epidemiological studies
  60. Frantzén, Janek. 2012. Bioactive Glass in Lumbar Spondylodesis. A Pre-Clinical and Clinical Study
  61. Posti, Jussi. 2012. Alpha2-Adrenoceptor-mediated vascular responses induced by dexmedetomidine
  62. Lindroos, Markus. 2013. On Glucose Metabolism in Patients with the m.3243A>G Mutation
  63. Puustinen, Juha. 2014. Benzodiazepines and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults. With Emphasis on Long-Term Use and Withdrawal
  64. Jalkanen, Anna. 2014. Multiple sclerosis and pregnancy: clinical and immunological aspects
  65. Jokela, Manu. 2015. Late-onset spinal motor neuronopathy- a new neuromuscular disease
  66. Tuulari, Jetro. 2015. Effects of Obesity and Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery on Brain Function, Structural Integrity and Metabolism
  67. Rissanen, Eero. 2015. Imaging Neuroinflammation in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
  68. Koskimäki, Janne. 2015. Intracranial Nimodipine Implant: Feasibility and Implications for the Treatment of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage – A Pre-Clinical Study
  69. Karlsson, Henry. 2016. Neuroreceptor availability and cerebral morphology in human obesity
  70. Åivo, Julia. 2017. Vitamin D in the Prevention and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
  71. Lindholm, Pauliina. 2017. Neural mechanisms of orofacial pain - effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation
  72. Sipilä, Jussi. 2017. Huntington’s disease in Finland. Epidemiologic, genetic and clinical studies
  73. Saraste, Maija. 2018. Pregnancy-related immune alterations in multiple sclerosis
  74. Mäkinen, Elina. 2018. Diagnostic and prognostic aspects of clinical brain dopamine transporter imaging in parkinsonism
  75. Saarenpää, Ilkka. 2018. Factors affecting accuracy and fusion rate in lumbosacral fusion surgery - a preclinical and clinical study
  76. Sihvonen, Aleksi. 2018. Neural basis of acquired amusia and its recovery
  77. Jaakkola, Elina. 2018. Neuropsychiatric symptoms and brain dopamine transporter imaging in Parkinson's disease
  78. Majuri, Joonas. 2019. Dopamine, opioid and serotonin neurotransmission in behavioral addictions
  79. Östberg, Anna. 2019. Cholinergic system in sequelae of traumatic brain injury
  80. Sahlsten, Hanna. 2019. Tinnitus – psychiatric comorbidity and treatment using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
  81. Åkerlund, Kira. 2020. Environmental and lifestyle factors in multiple sclerosis with emphasis on vitamin D, EBV infection, smoking and cancer risk
  82. Hossain, Iftakher. 2020. Acute biochemical diagnostics of mild traumatic brain injury : A clinical study
  83. Kuusimäki, Tomi. 2021. Phenotype-, comorbidity-, and treatment-related prognostic factors in Parkinson’s disease
  84. Lindgrén, Noora. 2021. Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease - Twin study on episodic memory and imaging biomarkers of neuroinflammation and β-amyloid
  85. Tuisku, Jouni. 2021. Imaging of neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis brain : a positron emission tomography and diffusion tensor imaging study
  86. Pirttisalo, Anna-Leena. 2021. Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Finland with the emphasis on hospitalization and infection-related admissions
  87. Mohammadian, Mehrbod. 2021. Microstructural analysis of diffuse axonal injury after traumatic brain injury using diffusion-weighted Magnetic resonance imaging
  88. Kotkansalo, Anna. 2022. Surgery for degenerative and rheumatoid cervical spine disease in Finland
  89. Vainio, Susanne. 2022. Experimental models of focal neuroinflammation - Efficacy assessment of pharmaceuticals of multiple sclerosis using PET imaging
  90. Honkanen, Emma. 2022. Basal ganglia function in parkinsonism and dystonia
  91. Kuutti, Katariina. 2022. Early prognostic factors of multiple sclerosis
  92. Kantonen, Tatu. 2022. Brain opioid and endocannabinoid systems as risk factors for obesity. Positron emission tomography studies of μ-opioid and CB1 receptors with glucose uptake analysis
  93. Saari, Laura. 2022. Clinicopathological characteristics of nigral neuron density in Lewy body spectrum diseases
  94. Malmberg-Ceder, Kirsi. 2022. Pain in Finnish female municipal employees with special reference to psychosocial and work-related factors and quality of life
  95. Laukka, Dan. 2023. Intracranial aneurysms in patients with Kawasaki disease or thoracic aortic aneurysms
Scientific publications

 

Year   Publications   

2013           43                 

2014           63                 

2015           81                  

2016           59                  

2017           79                  

2018           76                  

2019           86                  

2020          129                

2021           92                  

2022          93

2023          78                   

Adjunct Professors (Docents)
  • Marttila Reijo, experimental neurology, 1977
  • Valtonen Simo, neurosurgery,1983
  • Molnar Gabor, neurology, 1987
  • Mölsä Pekka, neurology,1987
  • Laihinen Arto, neurology, 1989
  • Rinne Juha, neurology, 1996
  • Ruutiainen Juhani, neurology, 1998
  • Kotilainen Esa, neurosurgery, 1999
  • Ruottinen Hanna, neurology, 2000
  • Elovaara Irina, neurology, 2001
  • Vuorinen Ville, neurosurgery, 2004
  • Kaasinen Valtteri, experimental neurology, 2005
  • Kuoppamäki Mikko, neurology, 2005
  • Tenovuo Olli, neurology, 2005
  • Airas Laura, neurology, 2007
  • Soilu-Hänninen Merja, neurology, 2008
  • Majamaa Kari, neurology, 2009
  • Martikainen Mika, neurology, 2014
  • Joutsa Juho, experimental neurology, 2015
  • Kivelev Juri, neurosurgery, 2016
  • Posti Jussi, neurosurgery, 2017
  • Frantzen Janek, neurosurgery, 2017
  • Bogoslovsky Tanya, neurology, 2017
  • Sipilä Jussi, neurology, 2018
  • Puustinen Juha, neurology, 2019 
  • Jokela Manu, neurology, 2020
  • Tarvonen-Schröder Sinikka, neurology, 2020
  • Koskimäki Janne, experimental neurosurgery, 2020
  • Ruuskanen Jori, neurology, 2021
  • Rissanen Eero, neurology, 2021
  • Rahi Melissa, neurosurgery, 2022
  • Honkaniemi Jari, neurology, 2022
  • Brück Anna, neurology, 2023

 

 

 

Professors
  • Rinne Urpo, professor of neurology, 1969-2000
  • Riekkinen Paavo, associate professor of neurology, 1973-1979
  • Panelius Martin, associate professor of neurology,1979-1997
  • Marttila Reijo, professor of neurology, 2002-2009
  • Majamaa Kari, professor of neurology, 2005-2008
  • Roine Risto O., professor of neurology, 2010-2021
  • Soinila Seppo, professor of neurology, 2011-2020
  • Rinne Jaakko, professor of neurosurgery, 2016-ongoing
  • Airas Laura, professor of neuroimmunology, 2017-ongoing
  • Tenovuo Olli, professor of neurotraumatology, 2019-2024
  • Martikainen Mika, associate professor of neurology, 2021-2022
  • Honkaniemi Jari, associate professor of neurology, 2021-ongoing
  • Kaasinen Valtteri, professor of neurology, 2021-ongoing
  • Joutsa Juho, professor of neurology, 2023-ongoing

Recent publications

Current Adjunct Professors (Docents)