Our main research focuses on the
experimental psychological examination of cognitive, affective and social
processes in healthy humans as well as in patients with psychological disorders
with the aid of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Psychotherapy Research
CBASP 1 (Website)
CBASP 2 (Flyer.pdf)
Experimental
Psychopathology and Neuropsychotherapy
In the domain of experimental
psychopathology we search with the aid of fMRI to investigate neurofunctional
models related to the development of certain symptoms of psychiatric diseases.
A main focus is put on the experimental models of action-monitoring, the
disturbed control and perception of one’s own action that could possibly cause
perceptual disorders as described in schizophrenia. We are additionally
interested in the experimental models of disturbed perception of alien
intentions (Theory-of-Mind), which we investigate in chronic depression as well
as in schizophrenia and in cooperation with the University Clinic Frankfurt also
in autism-spectrum-disorders.
Another branch of our research field is the application of experimental
fundamental research paradigms – that means experiments analyzing established
functional systems and their pharmaceutical manipulation - on clinical
questions.
Currently, the research of affective and schizophrenic psychosis is in the
foreground, combined with research to the genetic bases of this illness.
In the branch of research concerning “Neuropsychotherapy” we aim at objectifying
the effects of psychotherapeutical intervention through functional imaging.
Therefore we investigate functional changes of known neural systems within the
scope of clinical studies with defined therapy-methods, for instance the CBASP-therapy
(Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy) as cure for chronic
depression and the cognitive-behavioral therapy with schizophrenic patients with
positive symptoms.
Projects
Department of Psychiatry
