Clinical Anxiety Research
Research areas
The research group investigates genetic, epigenetic, protein-related and hormonal mechanisms in the development of pathological fears. We conduct analysis in patient cohorts with various anxiety disorders usually in comparison to healthy subjects. In addition to genetics and epigenetics, further molecular processes such as gene expression and microRNA are examined. Stressful life events are often reported as risk for development of pathological anxiety, therefore, we investigate the effects of the environment on molecular processes in patients in addition to the disease-specific factors. In order to assess therapy-related biological features, molecular examinations are carried out several times during the course of therapy in patients with different anxiety disorders. The main aim of the therapy-related studies is to identify biological factors which can be used in the clinic to predict the therapy outcome.
The research group focuses on etiological risk factors for the development of anxiety disorders and the biological mechanisms of action of psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions in patients with anxiety disorders.
Team
Head
- Prof. Dr. med. Angelika Erhardt-Lehmann
Tel.: +49 931 201-77130
E-Mail: Erhardt_A@ukw.de
Research associates
- Dr. rer. nat. Katharina Hutterer
Study Nurse
- Theresa Troll
Collaboration Projects
- ELAN (DFG-gefördert): Entscheidungskonflikte und Lernen in der Behandlung von Angststörungen
PI Dr. André Pittig, Forschungsgruppe Kognitive Kontrolle, Stress und Gesundheit
Further information can be found here. - Behandlung von Höhenphobie in virtueller Realität und rTMS (DFG gefördert)
PI Prof. Martin Herrmann, Forschungsgruppe nicht-invasive Hirnstimulation
Further information can be found here. - Auftrittsangst
Further information can be found here. - ZO2 Follow-up-Studie (DFG-gefördert)
Further information can be found here - NAKO: Nationale Gesundheitskohorte; Erfassung von Gesundheits- und Krankheitsfaktoren in der Allgemeinbevölkerung
Further information can be found here. - International: PGC Anxiety, PANIC, Enigma Anxiety
Further information can be found here.
Publications
Publications of the working group can be found on pubmed.
