Clinical

Before or after an MRI or EEG recording on campus, healthy volunteers and patients often need to complete behavioral tests or undergo neuropsychological interviews. The primary goal of the Clinical, Sleep, and Biomarker platform is to provide private rooms for discussions in a calm and confidential environment. For this purpose, eight rooms are available for clinical interviews. In the context of the Outpatient Clinic, there is strong collaboration with the HUG, allowing clinicians to see patients in the same setting as in the hospital, with a fully dedicated digital infrastructure. Additionally, two rooms are equipped with six synchronized cameras to record facial expressions and movements of participants. This setup enables the decoding of psychiatric or neurological disorders through novel measurement techniques. Moreover, a battery of frequently used neurological and neuropsychological tests is available for both children and adults. Finally, a nurse or TSM technician is present on-site to provide medical assistance if needed. 

Sleep Research

A second major focus of the platform is facilitating research on sleep. We spend a third of our lives sleeping, and sleep plays a fundamental role in brain function, including memory consolidation and emotion regulation. The platform includes three rooms, each equipped with a comfortable bed. Its proximity to other research platforms, particularly MRI, is a significant advantage, enabling the development of multidisciplinary research protocols where brain function can be measured using MRI before, during, and after a night’s sleep. The platform is also equipped for polysomnography recordings with several EEG systems.

Biomarker Unit

The platform also includes a biomarker unit: a fully equipped P2-level biological laboratory designed to process blood and saliva samples. The lab features a workbench with fume hood, centrifuges, and a spectrophotometer, allowing for the preparation of biological samples—including centrifugation and aliquoting—prior to storage in on-site freezers or transfer to external facilities.

The lab supports a range of standard biological analyses. ELISA assays can be conducted for biomarkers such as cortisol, BDNF, or for example various inflammatory markers. Additionally, we can extract DNA and RNA from saliva or hair samples for genotyping purposes. The platform also offers genotyping services (as for example APOE or BDNF), though whole genome sequencing is not available.

For more advanced analyses or collaborative projects, please contact us at: biomarker@fcbg.ch