Ness Foundation facts for kids
The Ness Foundation was a special group in Scotland that did important research. It was started in the 1980s by a doctor named Iain Glen. This group worked on understanding different health conditions that affect the brain and how people think and learn.
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What the Ness Foundation Did
The Ness Foundation was like a science detective agency. It studied conditions such as:
- Schizophrenia: This affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.
- Bipolar disorder: This causes big changes in a person's mood and energy levels.
- Autism spectrum disorder: This affects how people communicate and interact with others.
- Developmental coordination disorder: This makes it hard for people to do movements that need good coordination.
- Dyslexia: This makes reading and spelling difficult.
- Depression: This is a strong feeling of sadness that lasts a long time.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): This can make it hard to pay attention and control impulses.
Focus on Lipids and Genetics
The main thing the Ness Foundation looked at was how certain fats, called lipids, might be connected to these conditions. Think of lipids as important building blocks in your body, especially in your brain.
More recently, they also started looking at genetics. This means studying how the information passed down from your parents (your genes) might play a role in these conditions.
Working with the University
In 1999, the Ness Foundation teamed up with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). This made their research even stronger. From 2001 to 2004, another doctor, Brian M. Ross, helped lead the Foundation. During this time, they got support from different groups, including the European Regional Development Fund. The Foundation's research became a big part of what UHI did.
Developing New Tools
The Ness Foundation also had a company called Pan Diagnostics Limited. Through this company, they worked on creating new ways to find serious mental health conditions early. They were developing:
- A special skin patch.
- A breath test that could check how well your body uses important fats called Omega-3 fatty acid.
- A genetic test.
These tools were designed to help doctors find problems sooner, which can make a big difference for people needing help.
What Happened to the Foundation
By 2008, the Ness Foundation officially closed down as a separate charity. However, its important work didn't stop! All the research and knowledge from the Foundation became part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. This means the progress they made continues to help people through the university's ongoing studies.
