The Institut Universitaire de France has revealed the list of its 2023 members, appointed for a five-year term. Anne-Lise Pitel, Associate Professor in neuropsychology, is one of the new laureates. This is the second time, after her first appointment in 2017, that she will represent the University of Caen Normandie at this prestigious institute.
You have been appointed a senior member of the IUF in the Fundamental Chair category. What does this imply?
Laureates of the Institut Universitaire de France are placed in a delegated position for five years. They all have research credits and are relieved of two thirds of their statutory teaching duties. I am extremely fortunate to have been appointed to the IUF twice – the first time between 2017 and 2022, as a junior member. Five more years is a long time to fully devote myself to my research. And I am very proud to represent the University of Caen Normandie at this institute!
Which research are you currently involved in?
My research focuses on alcohol use disorders, and more specifically on the direct and indirect effects of alcohol on the brain. I’m affiliated to the Psychology faculty and I carry out my research within the Neuropresage team (PHIND), using a global approach that combines neuropsychology and neuroimaging. We now know that the effects of alcohol on other organs such as the liver and intestines contribute to the development of cerebral dysfunctions (memory loss, loss of balance, learning difficulties, …), hence the importance of improving our overall understanding of the mechanisms involved. This is why it is so important to improve our overall understanding of the mechanisms involved, in order to set up trajectories of care that are better adapted to patients’ needs.
Which projects will you be carrying out as part of the IUF?
The first project is a fundamental neuroimaging study of the brain mechanisms involved in the so-called “Korsakoff syndrome” observed in patients with nutritional deficiencies and excessive alcohol consumption. This syndrome is characterised by impairment of short-term memory, with patients having difficulty recalling recent events. We are following a cohort of around twenty patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome, and already have imaging data to better understand the thalamo-cortical circuits involved in this pathology.
The second is a study called ALCOH-OLD, funded by the Normandy Region, which looks at the effects of excessive alcohol consumption on aging. Does alcohol accelerate cerebral and cognitive aging? Does alcohol increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease? If so, why? Preclinical work has already been carried out: now it’s a question of taking the investigations further, with detailed neuropsychological assessments, blood sampling and imaging tests using the cutting-edge equipment of the Cyceron platform.
The latest project is a clinical study, called MEM-ASA, for “Memory, Alcohol, Sleep, and Anxiety,” which is conducted in Normandy’s memory consultation centres, where patients who complain of memory problems are referred to. Our hypothesis is that alcohol use disorders – often taboo – are under-estimated during these consultations. The aim is to determine the prevalence of this alcohol use disorder. We worked with some fifteen psychologists to standardise the questions, so that the interviews would be conducted in the same way in all centres. Diagnosing alcohol use disorders is essential to improve the care of patients who, by reducing their alcohol consumption, have good reason to hope for cognitive improvement.
Any advice on becoming an IUF member?
Being a member of the IUF means benefiting from ideal conditions for pursuing your research, so I encourage all colleagues to apply! Putting together an application may seem difficult, but it’s not insurmountable. I’m at your disposal to help and advise you if necessary.
The 2023 group of the IUF is composed of 100 junior chairs and 100 senior chairs (including 160 fundamental chairs, 30 Innovation chairs and 10 Scientific Mediation chairs). The 2023 members’ installation ceremony will be held in Paris on the 14th of November 2023.
