History
A brief overview of why, when and how the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre was founded.
Background
In 2010, Christopher Gillberg – together with Agneta Holmäng, the then head of the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology – laid the foundation for the GNC (Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre). At the time, Christopher Gillberg was the head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Finance
Birgit Olsson, wife of Stena company founder Sten A Olsson, left money in her will to institute “The Birgit and Sten A Olsson’s foundation for furthering research on psychiatric disorders”.
For ten years, the foundation contributed to the financing of the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, and the Birgit Olsson lectureship/professorship linked to the centre. Without the foundation’s help, there would be no GNC.
When the GNC was established in September of 2010, the centre also received strategic investment grants from the Sahlgrenska Academy. The GNC is currently mostly self-financed within the Sahlgrenska Academy, with support from the Swedish Child Neuropsychiatry Foundation as well.
Research areas
The foundation’s primary directive for the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre and the associated lectureship/professorship was to conduct research and develop knowledge in neuropsychiatry and neurodevelopment, including autism, ADHD and eating disorders; this is still the GNC’s overarching goal.
International collaborations and development
The GNC has an extensive international network, with affiliated centres in Japan (Kōchi), France (The Pasteur Institute, Paris), Scotland (Glasgow) and South Africa (Cape Town, Stellenbosch), where Christopher Gillberg is visiting professor.
