Research Themes
Our work follows three main research themes that are described in the following. [please note: site still under construction]
We study neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric symptoms with a focus on brain-body-interactions in development. Learn more
We develop and refine fast-acting interventions with a focus on experimental neuromodulation in psychiatric disorders. Learn more
We improve current standards of diagnostics in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Learn more
Ongoing Projects
These third-party funded projects, independent of large consortia (listed below), are currently ongoing.
RealWorld-taVNS
Leveraging Real-World User Data to Advance Evidence-Based and Personalised Treatment Regimes in Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
[external link]
funded via the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Runtime: 08/26 – 07/27
SCLC-taVNS
Modulation of vagus nerve activity for the treatment of small cell lung cancer; with the Beleggia Lab
funded via the EZN Cancer Neuroscience Initiative (Dietmar-Hopp Foundation)
Runtime: 01/25 – 12/26
UTOPICA
Understanding the role of tonic and phasic irritability in developmental psychopathology through an ecologically valid multimodal investigation
[external link] [study protocol]
funded via the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
Runtime: 07/23 – 06/27
SIP
Non-drug sleep treatment in a group for people with mental disorders
[study protocol 1] [study protocol 2]
funded via the Stiftelsen DAM
Runtime: 01/24 – 12/26
Research Consortia
Beyond ongoing projects, aligned with our research themes, we are engaged in multiple large-scale consortia and research groups listed below.
DFG Research Network
Clinical Neurostimulation in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
funded via the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Runtime: 11/24 – 10/27
MANIAC Emerging Group
Mapping Autonomic Neural Interaction and Control - An Emerging Group at the University of Cologne
funded via the German Research Foundation (DFG) through the Excellence Research Support Program
Runtime: 04/23 – 12/26
tVNS-KJP
Development and Validation of a System for Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Children and Adolescents with Depression
funded via the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Runtime: 07/21 – 06/24
STAR
Self-Injury: Treatment, Assessment, Recovery
funded via the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Runtime: 11/17 – 12/22
ProHEAD
Promoting Help-seeking using E-technology for ADolescents
funded via the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Runtime: 10/17 – 12/22
DFG Research Network
Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy
funded via the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Runtime: 07/25 – 06/28
Closed Projects
These third-party funded projects were recently completed (list incomplete).
17-22346Y
The impact of the autonomic nervous system on cognition and cognitive decline: a longitudinal assessment
funded via the Czech Science Foundation
Runtime: 01/17 – 12/21
STRAIN-NSSI
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Pain Dependent Stress-Regulation in Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury [external link]
funded via the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
Runtime: 07/19 – 12/24
tVNS-MDD1
Non-Invasive Vagus Stimulation for Resistant Depression in Youth – An Experimental Proof-of-Concept [external link]
funded via the Thrasher Research Fund
Runtime: 08/16 – 07/18
tVNS-MDD2
Acute Effects of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Prefrontal Cortex and Vagal Activity during Emotion Processing in Adolescents with Major Depression
funded via the Daimler and Benz Foundation
Runtime: 03/16 – 10/18
BPD-EmoStress
Neurobiological Correlates of Emotion Processing under Stress in Adolescent Borderline Personality Disorder
funded via the Dres. Majic/Majic-Schlez-Foundation
Runtime: 11/15 – 06/17