Molecular Neuroimaging
The focus of our research is on metabolic and neurochemical processes which underlie fundamental functions of the brain (e. g. sleep-wake regulation) and neurological and psychiatric diseases (e.g. dementia, depression).
For this purpose, we employ different imaging and analytical techniques, among others positron emission tomography (PET), functional and pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), laboratory techniques (microdialysis, autoradiography, immunohistochemistry etc.), kinetic analysis etc. Further information about methods and protocols is available here.
With regard to basic neuroscience we use multimodal imaging techniques to investigate the role of adenosine and its antagonist caffeine on sleep regulation and cognition as well as long term effects of caffeine on brain ageing and neurodegeneration.
Our preclinical research concentrates on the evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic drugs. Here you will find more information.
The main goal of our clinical research is developing highly specific neurochemical indicators for brain diseases, which allow a reliable diagnosis in an early state of disease (particularly in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s). In this context, we are conducting clinical trials using molecular neuroimaging for the approval of candidate compounds for diagnosis and therapy (in collaboration with industrial partners). An overview of our clinical studies is provided here.