Neurodegeneration

Prof. Dr. Alexander Drzezga

The research of the Department of Neurodegeneration focuses on the investigation of neurodegenerative processes and diseases and their effects on information processing in the human brain.

To study these functional and dysfunctional processes, molecular and multimodal neuroimaging methods, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are used. Research activities focus both on the mechanisms of physiological brain ageing as well as pathophysiological changes in brain function and structure associated with neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease). The development and translation of novel and specific imaging techniques for the non-invasive in vivo detection of neuropathologies associated with these diseases is also an important goal.

The Department of Neurodegeneration consists of two teams with different, yet closely related, research topics: The team “Imaging Molecular Neuropathology” focuses on research regarding age-related, pathophysiological changes in the brain, e.g. protein aggregation pathologies such as amyloid or tau accumulation, metabolic changes and network dysfunction. The team “Cognitive Reserve and Resilience”, on the other hand, focuses its research activities on physiological (healthy) brain ageing processes and compensation mechanisms in pathological ageing (e.g. Alzheimer's disease).

The Department of Neurodegeneration is closely linked with clinical partners, in particular with the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital of Cologne, but also with neuropsychiatric institutes, which provide further access to expertise in molecular imaging and neuroscience, as well as to specific patient cohorts (e.g. for clinical studies). The aim is to achieve an efficient network between research and clinical practice in order to ensure progress in clinically relevant topics and to create an organizational basis for a structured translation process. Based on these efforts, the department aims to contribute to a better understanding of disease mechanisms, the development of specific diagnostic tools and the identification of new concepts for the therapy or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegeneration

An overview of all INM-2 publications can be found here.

Cognitive Reserve and Resilience

Imaging of Molecular Neuropathology

Last Modified: 08.10.2024