<table class="infobox infobox-institution">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Sorbonne University</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Location</td>
<td>Paris, France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>Research University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Founded</td>
<td>2018 (merged from Paris-Sorbonne and Pierre and Marie Curie)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Students</td>
<td>~60,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Website</td>
<td><a href="https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/" target="_blank">https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Focus Areas</td>
<td>Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, Neurodegeneration, Neuroimaging, Clinical Trials</td>
</tr>
</table>
<table class="infobox infobox-institution">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Sorbonne University</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Location</td>
<td>Paris, France</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>Research University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Founded</td>
<td>2018 (merged from Paris-Sorbonne and Pierre and Marie Curie)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Students</td>
<td>~60,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Website</td>
<td><a href="https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/" target="_blank">https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Focus Areas</td>
<td>Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, Neurodegeneration, Neuroimaging, Clinical Trials</td>
</tr>
</table>
Sorbonne University (Université Sorbonne Paris Nord) is one of France's leading research universities, with a renowned neuroscience program that contributes significantly to understanding neurodegenerative diseases. Located in Paris, the university brings together researchers from multiple faculties to advance knowledge in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), and related disorders["@sorbonne"]. The university was formed in 2018 through the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University and Pierre and Marie Curie University, creating a powerful institution with strengths in both humanities and sciences, enrolling approximately 60,000 students.
The neuroscience department has a long tradition of excellence dating back to the founding of the Salpêtrière Hospital's neurological unit, where pioneering neurologists like Jean-Martin Charcot established the foundations of modern neurology. This historical legacy continues through the Institut du Cerveau - ICM (Paris Brain Institute), one of Europe's premier neuroscience research centers["@institut"].
Sorbonne University traces its origins to the medieval University of Paris, established in the 12th century. The current institution was formed in 2018 through the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University (focused on humanities) and Pierre and Marie Curie University (focused on sciences and medicine). This merger created a comprehensive research university with particular strength in translational neuroscience.
The neuroscience tradition at Sorbonne is deeply rooted in French neurology. The Salpêtrière Hospital, founded in the 17th century, became the world's leading neurological center under Jean-Martin Charcot in the late 19th century. Charcot's students went on to make fundamental discoveries in neurodegenerative diseases, including the identification of what would later be called [alpha-synuclein](/proteins/alpha-synuclein) inclusions in Parkinson's disease.
Comprehensive research program spanning basic to clinical research:
Major research program investigating:
Research programs include:
A growing research area:
The Paris Brain Institute (Institut du Cerveau - ICM) is a major research hub affiliated with Sorbonne University:
| Theme | Focus Areas |
|-------|-------------|
| Alzheimer's Disease | Amyloid biology, tau mechanisms, clinical trials |
| Parkinson's Disease | Alpha-synuclein, deep brain stimulation |
| ALS | Motor neuron disease mechanisms |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Demyelination and repair |
| Epilepsy | Seizure mechanisms and therapy |
| Researcher | Position | Focus Areas | H-index |
|------------|----------|-------------|---------|
| Prof. Alexis Brice | Director, ICM | Parkinson's genetics, neurodegeneration | 95 |
| Prof. Jean-Christophe Corvol | Parkinson's Program Lead | Clinical research, therapeutics | 80 |
| Prof. Marie-Victorine | Neurodegeneration Unit | Protein aggregation mechanisms | 70 |
| Prof. Charles Duyckaerts | Neuropathology | Alzheimer's and FTD pathology | 85 |
| Prof. François Berenbaum | Inflammation | Neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration | 65 |
Sorbonne University-affiliated hospitals provide comprehensive neurological care:
One of Europe's largest neurological centers:
Sorbonne University maintains strong international partnerships:
Major funding sources include:
Research from Sorbonne University has contributed to: