Background
Immunological processes play an important role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders and are, therefore, increasingly considered in psychiatric diseases models and experimental therapeutic approaches. Moreover, numerous neuroimmunological diseases like autoimmune encephalitis or multiple sclerosis (40% psychiatric comorbidity) are characterized by cognitive, motivational and affective symptom complexes and do thus require an interdisciplinary approach. Etiologically based diagnostics are crucial for the characterization of psychiatric disorders with neuroimmunological changes and allow for a precise and personalized treatment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a fundamental component of differential diagnostics and of high interest if an identification of new biomarkers is desired.
Aims of the research group
The main focus of the research group is to investigate the interactions between the immune system, neuronal processes and psychopathology, particularly focussing on CSF research and its molecular characterization (epigenetics).
The consortium aims to analyze cerebrospinal fluid markers to enable appropiate phenotyping and subtyping of psychiatric diseases (Liquorforschungsverbund des Norddeutschen Psychiatrieverbundes, see also here). Current retrospective analyses include the characterization of virological and autoantibody-mediated diseases and their association with clinical parameters.
Publication:
Hansen N, Lipp M, Vogelgsang J, Vukovich R, Zindler T, Luedecke D, Gingele S, Malchow B, Frieling H, Kühn S, Denk J, Gallinat J, Skripuletz T, Moschny N, Fiehler J, Riedel C, Wiedemann K, Wattjes MP, Zerr I, Esselmann E, Bleich S, Wiltfang J, Neyazi A, CAP (Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Psychiatry) Consortium. Autoantibody-associated psychiatric symptoms and syndromes in adults: A narrative review and proposed diagnostic approach. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 2020. 9:100154. DOI
This observational study investigates psychiatric effects and their association with peripheral inflammation as well as epigenetic changes in nerve growth factors in patients undergoing IVIG treatment. Particular focus is put on the assessment of fatigue, concentration and affective symptoms during the course of treatment.
Within the framework of the "Prospective Multiple Sclerosis Cohort" (Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Skripuletz, Department of Neurology), psychiatric symptoms in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome or initial diagnosis of multiple sclerosis are investigated and their association with structural and neuroinflammatory parameters assessed.
Scientific collaborations
Cooperations within Hannover Medical School
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Department of Neurology, Prof. Dr. Thomas Skripuletz
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Department of Neurology, Dr. Stefan Gingele
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Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Prof. Dr. Mike Wattjes
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Laboratory for Molecular Neurosciences, Dr. Kirsten Jahn, PhD
External cooperations
- University Medicine Göttingen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, PD. Dr. Niels Hansen
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University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Dr. Daniel Lüdecke
gaubatz.stephanie@mh-hannover.de
Main research interests
- Psychosis spectrum diseases
- Neuropsychology
Publications: Pubmed
hoepfner.sarina@mh-hannover.de
Main research interests
- Emotionally unstable personality disorders
- Psychological sequelae after trauma
- Neuropsychology
meissner.catharina@mh-hannover.de
Publications: Pubmed
Main areas of research
- Sequencing and epigenetics
- Molecular Neuroimmunology
- FACS analyses
Publications: Pubmed, ResearchGate
zindler.tristan@mh-hannover.de
Main areas of research
- Data scientist
- Epigenetics
- Deep phenotyping
Publications: ORCID