NCRC Investigators
Prof. Dr. Matthias Endres
NCRC Board Member, Spokesperson, NCRC Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
My group is active in the field of stroke research, focusing on the following main areas: preventive vascular mechanisms (endothelial function, physical activity, pharmacology), mechanisms of cell death (cell cycle activation, DNA damage and repair, apoptosis), regeneration and functional outcome (cellular plasticity, neurogenesis), interaction of heart and brain (e.g. stroke-heart syndrome), and clinical studies (stroke unit, telemedicine).
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Christine Heim
NCRC Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
Our group investigates the risk factors that might lead to the development of complex mental and physical illnesses over a person’s life span. In particular, we investigate the mechanisms by which adverse experiences in early life can lead to fundamental changes in the adaptability of circuits and regulatory systems as one grows and ages; these often result in an increased risk of disease (rather than resilience) over a lifetime. To investigate the mechanisms of this "early programming of disease vulnerability," we use an interdisciplinary approach which focuses on lifelong development and integrates models and methods from psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology, immunology, molecular biology and medicine. Through retrospective studies in adults we investigate the long-term neurobiological and physiological correlates of early stress experiences. In prospective studies in children we investigate the immediate processes of biological embedding of early childhood as well as mechanisms of transgenerational transmission of early trauma. Our interdisciplinary research group further collaborates towards investigating whether or not variants in stress-regulating genes moderate the effects of early stress experiences and to what extent epigenetic mechanisms are able to mediate these gene-environment interactions at the molecular level. Detailed knowledge of such biologically embedded processes leads us towards a) the development of novel interventions that directly address the mechanisms involved at an early stage (the ‘pre-disease state’) and that can reverse, compensate, or prevent them, and b) the development of diagnostic biomarkers to identify individuals at risk of maladaptation or disorders and to predict the responsiveness to specific interventions. Ultimately, approaches can be developed to use targeted interventions to exploit this developmental plasticity to "program" positive health and optimal adaptability over the life span.
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Heinz
NCRC Board Member, NCRC Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
Our group is active in the field of monoaminergic neurotransmission in mental disorders. We combine genetic research and multimodal brain imaging techniques (e.g. functional activation and molecular measurements using PET and MRS) with studies on stress exposure and other environmental effects. Using a dimensional approach, we investigate the influence of monoaminergic neurotransmission on learning mechanisms and their therapeutic modification with behavioral training and augmented psychotherapy. We critically reflect basic concepts of reward, reinforcement and motivation with regards to neuroscience, philosophical anthropology and intercultural psychiatry.
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Andrea Kühn
NCRC Board Member, NCRC Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
In the Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation unit, we conduct research on cortex-basal ganglion interaction in patients with movement disorders, using multimodal neurophysiological techniques (MEG, EEG, LFP) and imaging methods to characterize the pathophysiology of movement disorders and to understand the mechanisms of action of deep brain stimulation (DBS). In particular, we use the unique access to the basal ganglia via electrodes implanted for DBS to record neuronal activity from different basal ganglion nuclei in patients suffering from different movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, dystonia, tremor and Tourette's syndrome. In the future, this approach is expected to further optimize therapy through so-called closed loop stimulation, where the neuronal activity can be used as a feedback signal. We also use functional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the relationship between clinical effects and the influence DBS has on brain networks. In this area, we conduct studies in the framework of connectom-based DBS with the long-term goal of establishing patient-and-symptom-specific neuromodulation. Furthermore, we use invasive (DBS) and non-invasive (TMS) neuromodulation techniques to model lesions to investigate network effects and elucidate underlying pathophysiological causes.
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Andreas Meisel
NCRC Board Member, NCRC Core Investigator, Medical Head
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
Our research group is active in the field of cerebrovascular, neuromuscular and intensive neurological diseases. Based on our results from experimental disease models, we develop novel therapeutic concepts as well as biomarkers that can predict disease progression and therapy response. One of our primary areas of interests are immunological mechanisms of stroke. Besides the causal role for life-threatening bacterial pneumonia, immunological mechanisms are involved in the long-term course of the disease, not only related to further damaging processes leading to cognitive decline but also regeneration. Investigating immunological mechanisms, the consequences of disease, and prognostic markers is also the main focus of our work on myasthenia gravis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), two rare inflammatory neuromuscular diseases. The precise prediction of the long-term prognosis is of utmost importance for decision making in patients with severe neurological diseases that are being treated in intensive care units. With the help of routine data and novel biomarkers we are developing models that more accurately predict long-term outcome. Within the framework of our large inpatient and outpatient departments, the Integrated Myasthenia Center and the Neurointensive Care Unit, we have been able to establish large patient cohorts and registries supporting clinical research for rare disorders. In cooperation with networks and patients support groups, including the Berlin Stroke Alliance and the German Myasthenia Society (Deutschen Myasthenie Gesellschaft), we are committed to establishing novel concepts and practical structures that directly improve patient care.
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Christian Otte
NCRC Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
In our research group, we work towards a better understanding of the neurobiological foundations of affective and stress disorders, and towards finding better methods of treatment for these diseases. In particular, we investigate how immunological and neuroendocrine systems are related to psychopathology, cognition and metabolic-cardiovascular health. Through both experimental studies and randomized controlled treatment studies, we investigate whether modulation of these systems might improve the mental and physical health of patients. We also methodically develop and advance clinical research by designing new types of studies such as “adaptive platform trials”.
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Friedemann Paul
NCRC Board Member, NCRC Core Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
The Clinical Neuroimmunology group under the direction of Prof. Dr. Friedemann Paul investigates inflammatory and autoimmune diseases of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). The team carries out numerous studies to improve diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis and other diseases. The main focus is on developing so-called neuroprotective (nerve cell-protecting) treatment approaches and establishing modern examination procedures such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), OCT (optical coherence tomography), and motion analysis.
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Florian Schlagenhauf
NCRC Board Member, NCRC Core Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
Headed by Prof. Dr. Florian Schlagenhauf, the Learning and Cognition research group investigates changes in decision making, reward processing and other higher cognitive processes that occur in various neuropsychiatric diseases. Our focus is on diseases related to schizophrenia, dependency disorders, and therapeutic effects. We use a multimodal imaging approach that combines functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) with computational modeling to investigate the underlying mechanisms of altered learning and other neurocognitive processes, and to test their association with psychopathological symptoms. We also look at how these processes are modified by psychological or pharmacological intervention. The goal of our work is to gain a better understanding of these underlying processes so as to provide more targeted and mechanistically informed therapy options.
Research projects with the ncrc
Prof. Dr. Markus Schülke-Gerstenfeld
NCRC Investigator
Affiliation
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Research Focus
Our research group is concerned with genetic elucidation involved in rare genetic diseases, which lead to disorders of the nervous system. These include mitochondrial diseases and various forms of epilepsy, as well as congenital diseases of the nerves and muscles. In our work, we use modern Next Generation Sequencing techniques (NGS) such as whole genome sequencing and single-cell transcriptom analyses. For the analysis of the sequencing data, we have developed freely accessible software that allows non-bioinformaticians to evaluate NGS data sets (see MutationDistiller https://www.mutationdistiller.org/).https://www.mutationdistiller.org/). Understanding the cause of a disease is a prerequisite for developing new and in part also personalized therapeutic approaches to it. Towards this goal, we use induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with the aforementioned diseases, differentiating these cells in the culture dish into the tissues that the disease has most affected. We can then use these as "disease models" to test the effectiveness of various drugs. This method has proven very successful, as we have been able to find new applications for drugs that are already on the market for other reasons (a process known as "repurposing"). Since 2019, we have been increasingly involved in the analysis of regulatory mutations in the genome. This project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under the framework of Research Group 2841 "Beyond the exome" and is made up of nine projects in which clinical researchers come together with those in cell biology, genetics and computer science to find mutations in these regions of the genome. Till now, such areas have been poorly understood, even though they make up more than 95% of the human genome.
Research projects with the ncrc