Centre for Human Drug Research

At the Centre for Human Drug Research in Leiden, a major focus is neurology and neurodegenerative disease, with studies looking at Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and related movement and nerve disorders. These trials are designed to explore new treatments, understand disease mechanisms, and assess how therapies affect brain and nerve function.

• Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s disease with GBA1 mutations
• Progressive multiple sclerosis and remyelination
• Spinal muscular atrophy and spinal/bulbar motor disorders
• Peripheral nerve and movement-related conditions

The research often combines safety and effectiveness testing with detailed assessments of neurological function, helping advance care for people with complex nervous system conditions.

Another important area is psychiatry and psychology, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and broader mental health conditions. The site also studies chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and pain control approaches, aiming to improve symptom relief and better understand how new therapies influence mood, perception, and comfort.

• Major depressive disorder and incomplete response depression
• Generalized anxiety disorder and related anxiety conditions
• Chronic pain and neuropathic pain
• Testing how candidate therapies affect brain activity and pain responses

This work supports the development of better treatments for conditions that can strongly affect daily life and well-being.

The site conducts research in immune system diseases and autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other inflammatory conditions. These trials are focused on evaluating new therapies, measuring immune responses, and improving understanding of how inflammation affects different organs and tissues.

• Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• Immune response studies in healthy participants and patients
• Testing immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory treatments

This line of research helps clarify how the immune system behaves in disease and supports the search for more targeted treatment options.

Skin-focused studies at the Centre for Human Drug Research include atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and wound-related research. The trials examine whether new treatments can improve skin barrier function, reduce inflammation, and support better visualization or healing in clinical settings.

• Atopic dermatitis and eczema-related conditions
• Psoriasis and inflammatory skin disease
• Wound and skin healing studies
• Evaluating new topical and imaging-based approaches

This work is aimed at improving both symptom control and clinical decision-making for common and often persistent skin disorders.

The research portfolio also includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory function, and metabolism. Studies look at conditions such as stroke, opioid-induced respiratory depression, and broader cardiometabolic health, with the goal of understanding physiological responses and evaluating new ways to protect vital body functions.

• Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases
• Stroke and vascular-related conditions
• Respiratory safety and breathing response studies
• Assessing how new therapies affect circulation and metabolism

These trials help researchers measure how the body responds under controlled conditions and support the development of safer, more effective interventions.

The site also investigates virus diseases and broader public health questions, including studies on rhinovirus-associated illness and immune challenge responses. This research is intended to test prevention strategies, examine host defense, and improve understanding of how infections and inflammation affect people.

• Rhinovirus-associated illness and respiratory infection
• Immune challenge and inflammatory response studies
• Public health and population-related research
• Evaluating prevention and immune-modulating approaches

By combining infection-focused and immune-based studies, the centre contributes to better strategies for disease prevention and response.

A distinctive part of the research at this laboratory and testing facility involves human physiology, diagnostic techniques, and analytical methods. These studies explore nerve excitability, brain activity, vascular responses, and other measurable biological signals to help refine how new treatments are assessed.

• Investigative and diagnostic techniques
• Nerve excitability and brain function testing
• Vascular and physiological response measurements
• Improving tools for evaluating treatment effects

This area supports early clinical research by providing precise ways to observe how therapies influence the body and nervous system.