Astrid Bjørnebekk
Researcher
Interests
I have a broad interest in neuroscience, and I’m fascinated by the “new” understanding of the brain as a plastic organ that changes and where nerve cells are added throughout the lifespan. My main research interest concerns how biological and environmental factors (and interactions between them) may influence brain development or induce changes in the adult brain, and how these brain changes relates to behavior/personality, cognition, and psychiatric disease.
A related interest is to understand the involvement of different neurotransmitter systems (dopamine in particular) and neuropeptides in cognition and personality, and if genetic variation affecting neurotransmission is related to brain development, behavior, cognition, personality traits and vulnerability to psychiatric illness. To better understand such underlying mechanisms of brain characteristics we will use a methodologically broad approach including brain imaging techniques, neuropsychological testing, ERP and genotyping of candidate genes.
Higher education and employment history
- Post doc at PSI, UiO, from 2009-
- Researcher at the CSHC since 2008
- Med dr. (PhD) in Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 2007
Honoraria
- Poster award price at the Scandinavian College of Neuro-Psychopharmacology, Annual Meeting-Juan Les Pins 2004 (10000kr)
- Poster award price at the European College of Psychopharmacology Annual Meeting- Stockholm 2004 (5000kr)
- Lundbeck Association stipend for valuable research in Neuroscience, 2005 at 66000kr
Collaborations
My main post doc project “Neurocognitive development in children born to mothers with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders: biological-social interaction effects” is a collaboration between national and international researcher from different disciplines. Kristine Walhovd is project leader here. Other collaborators from CSHC are Anders Fjell and Håkon Grydeland. From R-BUP Vibeke Moe is the project leader and Kristin Håbrekke is a PhD student on the project. Other collaborators at R-BUP are Torill Siqveland, Kari Slinning and Lars Smith.