Nutrition Network

Identify new strategies (dietary, lifestyle, pharmacotherapy) to improve mental health in individuals who suffer from mood and other mental disorders.

Identify neural substrates and pathways that link diet with specific psychological constructs such as mood and neurocognitions (e.g. impulsivity, reward sensitivity). 

Gain a mechanistic understanding of the afferent signaling systems such as hormones, genes, immune modulators and gut microbiota that link diet to these psychological constructs. 

Clarify interactions between diet and pharmacotherapy (including side effects) for mental health and metabolic disease and combine dietary advise with pharmacotherapy to increase efficacy. 

Provide an evidence base to support dietary policies and guidelines for improving mental health and for the treatment of eating disorders.

Foster new collaborations across the ECNP community and to facilitate career development of young researchers (early-mid career) through participation, support and training. 

Form strong links with stakeholder groups (health and food policy makers, patient and care groups; pharmaceutical and food industry). 

Initiate activities directed towards an increased public understanding of the importance of nutrition for mental health and to place this topic high on the agenda of the EU.