Katrine Sjaastad Hanssen
About
Postdoctoral Researcher in the Integrative Neuroscience Group at the Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science (INB), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MH), NTNU.
My research focuses on advanced in vitro neural network models to better understand the early disease mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease. I combine stem cell technology, protein analysis, immunocytochemistry, and electrophysiology to investigate the interplay between neuroinflammation, neuropathology, and neural network dysfunction during the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. I am particularly interested in identifying critical time points for structural and functional changes within neural networks, with the aim of uncovering novel therapeutic targets and advancing the development of new treatment strategies.
In addition to research and teaching, I am strongly committed to public engagement and science communication on dementia and Alzheimer's disease. I regularly give lectures and presentations to patients, caregivers, patient organizations, dementia resource centers, and local dementia care units, with the goal of increasing public awareness and understanding of these diseases.
Background:
2019-2023: Ph.d. in Medicine og Health Sciences, KISN/INB, NTNU
2017-2019: M.Sc. in Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience (KISN), NTNU
2014-2017: B.Sc. in Human Movement Science, NTNU/Aarhus University
Research
Publications
2026
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Oppegaard, Oddvar;
Blomberg, Bjørn;
Cox, Rebecca Jane;
Iversen, Arild;
Myklebust, Nikolai Norevik;
Glambek, Marte;
Tøndel, Camilla;
Dahl, Tuva Børresdatter;
Friis, Tori;
Mjøs, Elise.
(2026)
Nirmatrelvir for acute COVID-19 to prevent long COVID (PANORAMIC Norway): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Academic article
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Barker, Roger;
Fiskum, Vegard;
Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Valderhaug, Vibeke Devold;
Barbieri, Riccardo;
Barbaro, Massimo;
Matthews, Helen;
Øksengård, Anne Rita;
Sandvig, Ioanna;
Sandvig, Axel.
(2026)
Addressing the effects of COVID-19 on Alzheimer´s and Parkinson´s disease patients (DEFINE).
EU Joint Programme Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND)
Research report
2024
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Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Niethammer, Salome Nora;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir;
Witter, Menno Peter;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2024)
Reverse engineering of feedforward cortical-Hippocampal microcircuits for modelling neural network function and dysfunction.
Scientific Reports
Academic article
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Weir, Janelle Shari;
Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2024)
Evolving alterations of structural organization and functional connectivity in feedforward neural networks after induced P301L tau mutation.
European Journal of Neuroscience
Academic article
2023
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Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir;
Sandvig, Ioanna;
Witter, Menno Peter.
(2023)
Dissecting the complexities of Alzheimer's disease: Engineering selectively vulnerable neural networks in vitro.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral thesis
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Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Witter, Menno Peter;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir.
(2023)
Dissection and culturing of adult lateral entorhinal cortex layer II neurons from APP/PS1 Alzheimer model mice.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Academic article
Journal publications
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Oppegaard, Oddvar;
Blomberg, Bjørn;
Cox, Rebecca Jane;
Iversen, Arild;
Myklebust, Nikolai Norevik;
Glambek, Marte;
Tøndel, Camilla;
Dahl, Tuva Børresdatter;
Friis, Tori;
Mjøs, Elise.
(2026)
Nirmatrelvir for acute COVID-19 to prevent long COVID (PANORAMIC Norway): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Academic article
-
Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Niethammer, Salome Nora;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir;
Witter, Menno Peter;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2024)
Reverse engineering of feedforward cortical-Hippocampal microcircuits for modelling neural network function and dysfunction.
Scientific Reports
Academic article
-
Weir, Janelle Shari;
Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2024)
Evolving alterations of structural organization and functional connectivity in feedforward neural networks after induced P301L tau mutation.
European Journal of Neuroscience
Academic article
-
Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Witter, Menno Peter;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir.
(2023)
Dissection and culturing of adult lateral entorhinal cortex layer II neurons from APP/PS1 Alzheimer model mice.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Academic article
Report
-
Barker, Roger;
Fiskum, Vegard;
Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Valderhaug, Vibeke Devold;
Barbieri, Riccardo;
Barbaro, Massimo;
Matthews, Helen;
Øksengård, Anne Rita;
Sandvig, Ioanna;
Sandvig, Axel.
(2026)
Addressing the effects of COVID-19 on Alzheimer´s and Parkinson´s disease patients (DEFINE).
EU Joint Programme Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND)
Research report
Student thesis or dissertation
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Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir;
Sandvig, Ioanna;
Witter, Menno Peter.
(2023)
Dissecting the complexities of Alzheimer's disease: Engineering selectively vulnerable neural networks in vitro.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral thesis
Teaching
Courses
Supervision
Supervision of current and previous students:
- PhD candidate - Marthe B. Grønli
- Nurinissa Ece Erik - Establishing a Human iPSC-Derived Triculture Model Enabling the Study of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease
- Maya Louise Atieno Ibenfeldt - Functional Development of Human Alzheimer's Disease Networks: The Role of Astrocytes in Establishing iPSC-derived Neural Networks
- Salome Nora Niethammer - "Extraction and culturing of adult hippocampal and entorhinal neurons from Alzheimer model-animals"
- Emily Karabeika - "Co-culture of humanized Apolipoprotein E astrocytes with primary entorhinal cortex neurons from adult mice and hippocampal neurons from embryonic rats"
Outreach
Katrine (30) med fersk doktorgrad om Alzheimer
Doktorpromosjonen vår 2024 ved NTNU
Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen - Trøndelag
Investigating Neural Networks Through Microfluidics
2025
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LectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad. (2025) Demens - Forløp, sykdomsprosesser og risikofaktorer. Menn i Helse Sør-Trøndelag
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Conference lectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Weir, Janelle Shari; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2025) Engineered Neural Networks for Alzheimer’s Disease Modelling. 13th International Meeting on Neural and Electrogenic Cell Interfacing (MEA 2025)
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LectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad. (2025) Demens og Alzheimer sykdom. Nasjonalforeningen Snillfjord Demensforening
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Weir, Janelle Shari; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2025) Engineered Neural Networks for Alzheimer’s Disease Modelling. FENS Regional Meeting 2025
2024
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Conference posterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Fiskum, Vegard; Kollstrøm, Anna Mikalsen; Christiansen, Nicholas; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Reverse engineered neural circuit motifs as computational substrates. The Brain Conference - Circuits for Movement
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Conference lectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. Maxwell Summit 2024
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Conference posterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. 4th In-Vitro 2D & 3D Neuronal Networks Summit
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Lecture
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. 4th In-Vitro 2D & 3D Neuronal Networks Summit
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Conference lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. 4th In-Vitro 2D & 3D Neuronal Networks Summit
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. Nordic NanoLab User Meeting 2024
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. TNNN Conference 2024
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LectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad. (2024) Alzheimer sykdom - Hva er det som skjer i hjernen?. Åpent møte om Demens
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Conference lectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. 4th In-Vitro 2D & 3D Neuronal Networks Summit
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LectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad. (2024) Demens og Alzheimer sykdom - Hva er det som skjer i hjernen?. Alzheimer med Katrine S.Hanssen og Trd.Kommune Ressurssenter
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Conference posterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Klausen, Kasper; Tomren, Åste Brune; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2024) Advanced Interfaces for Investigating the Impact of Topology on the Functional Dynamics of Engineered Neural Networks. Nordic NanoLab User Meeting 2024
2023
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Niethammer, Salome Nora; Witter, Menno Peter; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) An in vitro platform to study entorhinal-hippocampal neuronal networks. 17th International Conference on Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases (AD/PD)
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Conference lectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Niethammer, Salome Nora; Witter, Menno Peter; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) Reverse Engineering of Feedforward Cortical-Hippocampal Neural Networks Relevant for Preclinical Disease Modelling . 10th Annual PhD Conference in Neuroscience
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Conference posterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Tomren, Åste Brune; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) Engineered Multi-Nodal Neuronal Networks with Predefined Afferent-Efferent Connectivity for Advanced Modelling of Network Function and Dysfunction. 14th EBSA Congress
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Conference lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) Advanced Engineering Approaches for Recapitulating Structure-Function Dynamics of Neuronal Networks In Vitro. NeuroSYS 2023
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Lecture
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LectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir. (2023) Leve bedre med Alzheimer?. Brain Awareness Week
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Conference lectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Niethammer, Salome Nora; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Witter, Menno Peter; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) Reverse Engineering of Feedforward Cortical-Hippocampal Neural Networks Relevant for Preclinical Disease Modelling. NRSN Norwegian Research School for Neuroscience 10th NRSN Conference
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Lecture
2022
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Sandvig, Ioanna; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir. (2022) An in vitro platform to study adult entorhinal networks in Alzheimer's disease. AD/PD 2022
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Conference lectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) An in vitro platform to study entorhinal-hippocampal neural networks. 9th NRSN Conference
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) An in vitro platform to study adult entorhinal entorhinal-hippocampal neuronal circuits in early Alzheimer's disease. JANUBET Symposiym
2021
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Sandvig, Ioanna; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir. (2021) An in vitro platform to study entorhinal networks in Alzheimer’s disease. NRSN National Neuroscience Symposium
2020
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Ioanna; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno. (2020) Developing a novel in vitro platform to study neuronal networks relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. FENS Forum 2020
2019
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Conference posterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Ioanna; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno. (2019) Establishing entorhinal cortex layer II neuron cultures as a tool for the investigation of early Alzheimer's disease related changes. 3rd Nordic Neuroscience Meeting 2019