Research Areas

Coupling of cerebral blood flow and metabolism: Basis of functional neuroimaging

Profile

The project aims at understanding the molecular and biochemical mechanisms, by which the brain adapts local blood flow to metabolism with high temporal and spatial resolution. In addition, we are investigating the 'fingerprints' of physiological or pathophysiological processes in cerebral blood flow or hemoglobin oxygenation. These studies thereby provide the basis for modern non-invasive functional brain imaging methods (e.g. fMRI, NIRS), which utilize brain blood flow changes or oxygenation changes to map brain activity. Our models include brain slices, isolated arteries as well as cell culture, while functional activation studies are conducted with near infrared spectroscopy (optical imaging), laser Doppler Flowmetry, and electrophysiological methods in animal experiments and in humans (somatosensory stimulation).

Keywords

Near infrared spectroscopy, functional imaging, Laser Doppler, neurovascular coupling, nitric oxide, postassium, periinfarct depolarization, spreading depression, stroke

 

Group members
Dr.Ute Lindauer, Prof.Dr.Ulrich Dirnagl, Dr.Jens Dreier, Dr. Christoph Leithner, Dr.Gabor Petzold, Dr. Georg Royl, Dr.Sigrid Schuh-Hofer, Dr.Heike Sellien
Contact

PD Dr.Ute Lindauer

Key references

 

Mechanisms of damage and endogenous neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia

Profile

We are investigating systemic, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of focal cerebral ischemia (stroke). A particular focus is on endogenous mechanisms of protection (ischemic tolerance, preconditioning) and on delayed mechanisms of damage (inflammation, apoptosis). We employ cell culture (hypoxia/aglycemia) and in vivo (thread occlusion, hook etc,.) models of stroke. In these model systems physiological (LDF, NIRS, confocal microscopy in vivo), biochemical (HPLC, chemoluminescence etc.), and molecular biological (PCR, SAGE, etc.) techniques are utilized. It is the ultimate goal of these studies to further our understanding on the pathophysiological cascades of damage in stroke, and thereby to develop new avenues of treatment.

Keywords

Stroke, induced tolerance, preconditioning, inflammation, exitotoxicity, apoptosis

 

Group members
Dr.Andreas Meisel, Dr.George Trendelenburg, PD Dr.Josef Priller, Dr. Jason Potas, PD Dr.Matthias Endres, Dr. Konstantin Prass, Dr.Jörg Schultze

 

Contact
Key references

 

 

Signal transduction and mechanisms of damage in bacterial meningitis

Prolile

Despite antibiotic treatment bacterial meningitis of the adult has a high morbidity and mortality. An improvement of this situation is not expected from develpment of new antibiotics, but rather from the development of adjunctive therapy targeting the mechanisms of damage of inflammation. The project focusses on a systemic, cellular, and molecular level at the mechanisms that are triggered by the contact of bacterial components and which ultimately lead to brain tissue destruction.

Keywords

Inflammation, cytokines, mikroglia, leukocytes, free radicals

 

Group members
Prof. Dr. Jörg Weber, Dr.Johann Braun, Dr.Olaf Hofmann, Dr. Klemens Angstwurm, Dr.Dorette Freyer, Dr. Achim Kaasch
Contact

Prof. Dr. Jörg Weber

Key references

Headache/ Migraine

Prolile

Headache is the most frequent neurological disorder. We are investigating pathophysiological mechanisms related to the development of migraine in experimental animal models and in vitro with a particular interest in nitric oxide (NO). Our studies are designed to determine mechanisms by which NO activates pain sensitive trigeminal neurons. We are also trying to elucidate as to whether NO plays a role in sensitization of trigeminal c-fibers, a phenomenon recently described in migraineurs. In ordert to assess these questions we use immunohistological, biochemical and molecular biological techniques. In a second area of interest we are focussing on mechanisms by which oxygen aborts cluster headache in an animal model.

Keywords

Migraine, Cluster headache, nitric oxide, dura mater, c-Fos

Group members
Dr.Uwe Reuter, Dr. Sigrid Schuh-Hofer, Dr. Karsten Böhnke, PD Dr. Guy Arnold
Contact

Dr.Uwe Reuter

Key references

 

 

Please check out some of the projects in more detail in the project section.