Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders
Research focus
Neuronal networks form the basal functional units of the nervous system and thus the ability to react to external stimuli and regulate internal body functions. Despite a high level of knowledge gained in recent decades, we have only just begun to understand the complex physiological functions of the brain and the pathological changes associated with neuropsychiatric diseases. Our primary goal is to describe disease-specific pathomechanisms with regard to a longitudinal developmental perspective. We do this predominantly via studies in valid animal models of psychiatric disorders with genetic, environmental or multifactorial etiology, which allow an in depth investigation of neurobiological correlates of behavioral abnormalities at all levels of brain integrity. Our long-term aim is to establish 1) new approaches to interfere with symptom manifestation and 2) preventive treatment strategies with translational value.
Approaches to study neuropsychiatric disorders in our lab
We are a Faculty member of the National Center of Affective Disorders NCAD. The NCAD comprises leading institutions in the field of Affective Disorder in Germany and is an excellent platform to accomplish research in a highly translational manner. We are also closely connected with Mental Health Dresden-Leipzig, a regional research network, comprising the Technische Universität Dresden, the Universität Leipzig, and the Robert Koch Institute. Mental Health Dresden-Leipzig has particular strengths and expertise in clinical psychiatry, neuro- and cognitive psychology, basic and clinical neuroscience, epidemiology, environmental sociology, and public mental health. The infrastructure includes neuropsychiatric research facilities, a digital health centre, existing longitudinal cohort and population studies, regional networks of district hospitals, services and community organisations in Saxony, and international collaborations including the transCampus® network for Mental Health.