Research Focus

The Niigata University Brain Research Institute is unique in Japan in combining basic and clinical neuroscience divisions, including the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Building on this structure, our department collaborates with other laboratories in the Institute to overcome neurological diseases through genetic, biochemical, cell biological, histological, and imaging approaches. Over the past 50 years, we have contributed to the elucidation of socially important disorders such as Niigata Minamata disease and SMON, and have identified the causes and mechanisms of many intractable neurological diseases. We have also trained many neurologists and contributed to regional neurological care. Careful clinical observation in daily practice has often led to new discoveries and major research advances. Our achievements rely on the cooperation of patients and frontline clinicians. Because neurological disorders are diverse and frequently overlap with other specialties, neurologists require broad clinical competence. We therefore train young physicians to become General Neurologists with expertise ranging from cutting-edge neuroscience to practical neurology, and aim to lead efforts to overcome neurological diseases worldwide.