Three British scientists won Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize

Three British scientists, Tim Bliss, Graham Collingridge and Richard Morris, on 1 March 2016 won the Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize, largest prize for neuroscience in the world.

The trio have won the award for their seminal work on understanding what happens in the brain when humans make and lose memories.

This is the first time the Brain Prize has been won by an entirely UK team.

The award ceremony will take place in Copenhagen on 1 July 2016, where the prize will be presented by Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.

Key findings of the trio

• The three researchers have shown how neurons in the hippocampus, the brain's learning portal that enables humans to store information, collaborate and provide a basis for understanding how humans go about remembering.

• They have shown how the connection between brain cells in the hippocampus can be strengthened through repeated stimulation, a phenomenon that is called long-term potentiation.

• The scientists have also described the mechanisms behind the phenomenon and have proven that long-term potentiation is the very basis for humans’ ability to learn, remember and navigate their surroundings.

• Their research results show that the brain is able to handle and adapt to new impressions and events, and this plasticity enables the brain to reorganise itself after damage such as stroke or sudden blindness.

About Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize

• The Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Prize, also known as The Brain Prize, is an international scientific award.

• It honours one or more scientists who have distinguished themselves by an outstanding contribution to European neuroscience and who are still active in research.

• It was founded in 2011 by the Lundbeck Foundation.

• The prize is associated with a 1 million euro award to the nominees, who can be of any nationality. However, the research for which they are nominated must have been in Europe or in collaboration with researchers in Europe.

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