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Chance favours the prepared mind

Topics

Psychopharmacological Neuroimaging

Molecular research is focused on the serotonergic system according to radioligands available at the PET centre. Currently, we are comparing the occupancy of frequently prescribed Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI) on the serotonin transporter using treatment standard doses and the radioligand [11C]DASB. Recently, we have published a study in Molecular Psychiatry showing a reduction of the serotonin-1A receptor binding after SSRI treatment in limbic brain areas of patients with anxiety disorders. The serotonin-1A receptor (5-HT1A) plays a central role in serotonergic firing. Our data support treatment-induced changes in this main inhibitory serotonergic receptor subtype not restricted to the serotonin transporter. Furthermore, a pharmacological fMRI study showing an attenuation of limbic reactivity by SSRI treatment is under publication.

Experimental Nuclear Medicine

In close collaboration with the radiopharmaceutical sciences group new data analysis tools in receptor and transporter quantification as well as radioligand applications are under development.

Multimodal Neuroimaging

By combining PET and fMRI data of a study population, the relationship between specific neurochemical, structural and functional interactions in healthy brains and changes of these interactions in psychiatric disorders can be investigated.

Translational Neuroimaging

Details are coming soon.

Psycho-Neuroendocrinology

Steroid hormones have important effects on the expression of serotonergic receptor subtypes. The study investigates the influence of hormone replacement therapy on the cerebral serotonin-1A receptor distribution and mood in postmenopausal women.

Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience

Here, we are investigating the relationship between anxiety and aggression scores to serotonergic receptor subtype distributions, hormones and neural activation in limbic and frontal brain areas.