Division of Systems Neuroscience of Psychopathology

Research focuses

  • Psychopathology
  • Psychosis
  • Language
  • Emotion
  • Motor behavior
  • Hallucinations
  • Thought disorder

Methods

  • Electroencephalography (EEG)
  • Evoked potential (EP)  
  • Functional magnetic resonance tomography (fMRT)
  • Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)
  • Structural magnetic resonance tomography
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
  • Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS)

Short description

The diagnostic categories used in psychiatric diagnostic manuals like ICD and DSM has recently been challenged regarding diagnostic validity and use for prediction and therapy. Various initiatives has been started to focus more on psychopathological phenomena, like hallucinations, delusions or motor symptoms especially in schizophrenia but also cross over the conventional diagnostic entities in psychiatry, e.g. the RDoC of the NIMH in USA. By establishing the neurobiology behind psychopathological phenomena on a systems neuroscience level the aim is to improve diagnosis, prevention, prediction and therapy of mental disorders.
The intention of the Division of Systems Neuroscience of Psychopathology is now to pursue these aims. This is realized by several research groups which focus on specific psychopathological symptoms and their neurobiological etiology.

Further information

Research group’s website