Main Focus

The human brain is capable of changing its function and structure in response to extrinsic or intrinsic stimuli. This capability of neuroplastic change represents the neurobiological basis for learning new skills or to aid recovery of loss of function in the presence of neurological diseases. The overarching question of our research is: may neuroplastic processes be harnessed for the recovery of sensorimotor function in neurological diseases?

In a translational setting we investigate basic neuroplastic mechanisms of sensorimotor functions in healthy subjects and their modulation in the presence of brain diseases such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease. Different training- and learning interventions are being used and their effect characterized using non-invasive brain imaging techniques (Functional and structural MRI, EEG). We particularly focus on the investigation of neurophysiological mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity-inducing non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). To do this we use neuroimaging and brain stimulation techniques both separately and in combination (tDCS – fMRI; tACS – fMRI).

We collaborate closely with the Day Clinic of Cognitive Neurology at the University of Leipzig and its Outpatient Clinic for Stroke Rehabilitation . To assess the clinical impairment of individual patients we use a comprehensive neuropsychological and sensorimotor test battery, as well as a robot-assisted assessment of upper extremity sensorimotor function using an exoskeleton robotic device.


Curriculum Vitae

Academic Education

1996 - 2004
Medical school at the University of Leipzig, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
2004
M.D.
2006
"Dr. med." doctoral thesis
2013
Board Certification in Neurology
2016
Habilitation in Neurology

Career

2005 - 2006
Neurology resident, University of Greifswald, Germany
2006 - 2007
Research Fellow at the Human Cortical Physiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, USA (supervisor: Dr. Leonardo G. Cohen)
2007 - 2008
Neurology resident, University of Greifswald, Germany
2009 - 2014
Postdoc at the Neurology Department of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Resident at the Day Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University of Leipzig
since 2014
Group Leader "Neuroplasticity and Motor Recovery"

Awards
Fellowship from the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation (2006)
German Parkinson Association Research Award (2014)

Reviewer

Brain, Neuroimage, Brain Stimulation, Human Brain Mapping, Neuroscience Letters, Frontiers in Human, Neuroscience, Journal of Neural Transmission, Journal of Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Neurobiology of Aging, Brain Connectivity, Experimental Brain Research, Brain Research, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Brain Topography

Memberships

Society for Neuroscience
German Society for Neurology (DGN)
German Society for Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imaging (DGKN)
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