Our research group covers both, clinical and experimental
aspects.
The clinical studies carried out by our research group on
psychoneuroimmunology of major psychiatric disorders mainly
schizophrenia are well known in this field of research. Our
group is leading the neuroimmunomodulation therapy using
cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in patients with schizophrenia
and depression.
The experimental part
of the studies is carried out by the laboratory section for
psychoneuroimmunology and therapeutic drug monitoring. This
laboratory section is specialized on neurobiochemical and
pharmacological methods and focuses on two major fields of
interest: The functional relationship between nervous system
and immune system with its special role in psychiatric
disorders, and the determination of neuropsychotropic drugs
and their major metabolites in psychiatric and neurological
patients. This laboratory section is now further extended in
neurochemistry and immune systems interaction research in
the area of major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar
disorders and Alzheimer’s disease using established
facilities and newly established in vitro cell culture
studies and animal experiments.
In addition to the
direct effect of cytokines on mood and behaviour, we focus
on the functional link between cytokines and the production
of the neurotransmitter serotonin through kynurenine pathway
which might further lead to imbalanced neuroprotection and
neurotoxicity or neurodegeneration. Our group is leading the
biomarker studies related to kynurenine metabolites and
related enzymes together with other universities. We have
collaboration with University of Antwerp, University of
Berlin (Charité), University of Cologne, Trinity College of
Dublin, Erasmus University (Rotterdam), University of
Innsbruck, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore), University
of Leuven, King’s College of London, Loyola University
Stritch School of Medicine (Chicago), University of
Magdeburg, University of Marburg, University of Münster,
University of New South Wales (Sydney), and Yale University
(New Haven).
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