Research Topics

Within the framework of the two large multicentre research networks ESCAlife and INTEGATE-ADHD, we are investigating the effectiveness of established forms of treatment, the quality of care and the frequency of occurrence of ADHD in children and adolescents in Germany. We are also trying to identify meaningful biomarkers that not only allow statements to be made about the course of the disease but are also helpful in selecting individually adapted therapy options.

Research Topics

In two major projects – the A-FFIP clinical trial and the ASD-Net research network – we are looking for ways to improve the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children and adolescents and to establish further effective therapeutic procedures. Among other things, we are testing whether the administration of oxytocin improves social skills. In ProVIA, another large multicenter project, we are working on the development of an app to help family members in their daily lives.

Research Topics

The focus of our research on deletion and duplication syndrome 22q11.2. is the exact assignment of genetic alterations to correlated symptom complexes. Particularly with regard to neuropsychiatric diseases, the aim is to identify meaningful markers for the risk of disease or the course of the disease, which can also provide assistance in the selection of therapy.

Research Topics

Are healthy behavioral patterns that occur in connection with mental illness detectable in the brain? Can course models be created from the measured values together with the individual symptomatology? With the help of mathematical algorithms we try to combine biological, psychological and social data and to identify predictors for the course of the disease. An important parameter in our work is the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Research Topics

The zebrafish is used to study the effects of risk genes on the development of psychiatric disorders. Experimental manipulations of genes during embryonic development in this model organism, which is similar to humans, allow the effects to be directly observed in the hatched zebrafish. In the process, its brain is imaged using modern imaging techniques.

Research Topics

This working group is concerned with the influences of environment and social surroundings on cognitive processes. How are motivation, learning and decision-making shaped in the course of development - especially in childhood and adolescence? Research and identification of potential risk factors for certain age groups would provide a concrete starting point for early intervention in the case of pathological deviations. In the best case, these findings could be used to create an individualized treatment or even prevention program.

Go to the research page of "Learning and motivation in developmental stages"

Causal research on the development of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence takes up a broad framework spanning all working groups. In cooperation with the German Center of Prevention Research in Mental Health (DCPP) here at the Würzburg site, the need for, possibility of, and effect of prevention programs are investigated, implemented in a life-world-related manner, and tested and evaluated on a larger scale. Currently, the focus is on prevention programs against self-injury and borderline personality disorder.

Go to the research page of "Translational intervention and prevention"

Our projects aim to improve the safety and effectiveness of drug therapy for children and adolescents with mental disorders. Since most of the active substances are only approved for adults, we investigate their interrelationships of dose, concentration, therapeutic effect and undesirable side effects in children. Standardized recommendations are extracted from the data collected in several multicenter and international observational studies and compiled in registries.

Go to the research page of "Pharmacovigilance and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)"