OrigoCogito
OrigoCogito is a Nordic research network that uses the Nordics' unique registry and population studies to understand how early-life factors shape brain health and cognitive function across the lifespan. We aim to integrate and enrich population data with brain imaging (MRI) across participating institutions to enable long-term studies of brain health.
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About OrigoCogito
The main aim is to establish, support and strengthen research collaboration that can reveal how early-life factors affect brain health across the entire lifespan.
There are clear indications that early‑life factors, such as birthweight, pregnancy length and birth complications, have long‑term effects on the brain. Norway and the other Nordic countries have the world’s best health and population registries, as well as strong expertise in brain imaging and life-course studies. Nevertheless, this potential is not fully utilized: data on birth circumstances for many middle‑aged and older adults remain incomplete or paper‑based and data formats vary between studies and countries. There are no good digital assessments of cognitive function for large groups in the population – especially for women and older adults. OrigoCogito will address these challenges by building a national and Nordic network.
The network includes partners in Norway, such as NTNU and Oslo University Hospital (OUS), as well as research collaborators in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and the UK.
Aims
OrigoCogito establishes a platform that future generations can build on when developing new projects and themes, by providing a broader network, training, methodological development and data integration. The goal is to make it easier to link early‑life information with advanced brain imaging and detailed measures of cognitive function.
The network will work towards:
- Digitalise and harmonise historical birth records across the Nordic countries
- Establish common protocols for cognitive testing and MRI
- Develop digital databases and analytical tools, including the use of artificial intelligence for text recognition and brain data analysis
- Facilitate comparative studies across these countries
Members
Kristine Beate Walhovd
University of Oslo (LCBC)
Anders Martin Fjell
University of Oslo (LCBC)
Barbara Bodorkos Friedman
University of Oslo (LCBC)
Asta Kristine Håberg
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Atle Bjørnerud
Oslo University Hospital (CRAI)
Kyrre Emblem
Oslo University Hospital
Funding
Project number: 360124