Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1389: Psychoneuroendocrinology of Stress: From Molecules and Genes to Affect and Cognition
Subject Area
Psychology
Term
from 2006 to 2011
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 20006554
Cognition, emotion and other behaviours are targets of corticosteroid and other stress hormones.
The research programme of this International Research Training Group presents a psychobiological approach to detect and characterise regulatory and molecular aspects of corticosteroids and their receptors, as well as stress effects on cognition, affect and behaviour. In a combined multidisciplinary effort the Trier and Leiden groups integrate various levels of biological complexity from gene to behaviour. The objective is to identify new links between psychological functions and biological stress mechanisms. Eight projects have been conceptualised:
(1) molecular mechanisms of corticosteroid receptor regulation and activity;
(2) the function of the brain-specific MLC1 gene and its role in stress related behaviour and psychoses;
(3) the experimental manipulation of cortisol pulsatility;
(4) the impact of approach-avoidance motivation and positive and negative emotional states on human stress responses;
(5) the mineralocorticoid receptor involvement in executive functions in humans;
(6) facilitating and impairing effects of stress on multiple memory systems;
(7) altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and pain processing;
(8) the relationship of stress and aggression.
This scientific programme aims towards an understanding of human stress psychobiology and thereby contributes to the prevention of stress related disorders. The parallel study programme will provide an integrative state-of-the-art training in physiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, psychobiology, cognitive science, endocrinology, assessment of animal and human behaviour - supplemented by clinical aspects. Participating students will gain unique opportunities not only to extend and deepen their knowledge, but also gain communicative skills by discussing their results at international conferences, and develop management qualities by organising meetings. The study programme is designed to harness the pooled expertise of the institutions for the benefit of the students to enable them to stand at the helm of this internationally highly competitive field of research. The collaborative and integrative approach of the Trier and Leiden groups is expected to be essential for success in research and training of the psychoneuroendocrinology of stress.
The research programme of this International Research Training Group presents a psychobiological approach to detect and characterise regulatory and molecular aspects of corticosteroids and their receptors, as well as stress effects on cognition, affect and behaviour. In a combined multidisciplinary effort the Trier and Leiden groups integrate various levels of biological complexity from gene to behaviour. The objective is to identify new links between psychological functions and biological stress mechanisms. Eight projects have been conceptualised:
(1) molecular mechanisms of corticosteroid receptor regulation and activity;
(2) the function of the brain-specific MLC1 gene and its role in stress related behaviour and psychoses;
(3) the experimental manipulation of cortisol pulsatility;
(4) the impact of approach-avoidance motivation and positive and negative emotional states on human stress responses;
(5) the mineralocorticoid receptor involvement in executive functions in humans;
(6) facilitating and impairing effects of stress on multiple memory systems;
(7) altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and pain processing;
(8) the relationship of stress and aggression.
This scientific programme aims towards an understanding of human stress psychobiology and thereby contributes to the prevention of stress related disorders. The parallel study programme will provide an integrative state-of-the-art training in physiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, psychobiology, cognitive science, endocrinology, assessment of animal and human behaviour - supplemented by clinical aspects. Participating students will gain unique opportunities not only to extend and deepen their knowledge, but also gain communicative skills by discussing their results at international conferences, and develop management qualities by organising meetings. The study programme is designed to harness the pooled expertise of the institutions for the benefit of the students to enable them to stand at the helm of this internationally highly competitive field of research. The collaborative and integrative approach of the Trier and Leiden groups is expected to be essential for success in research and training of the psychoneuroendocrinology of stress.
DFG Programme
International Research Training Groups
International Connection
Netherlands
Applicant Institution
Universität Trier
IRTG-Partner Institution
Universiteit Leiden
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Hartmut Schächinger
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Fernand Anton; Professor Dr. Dirk Hagemann; Professor Dr. Dirk Helmut Hellhammer (†); Professor Dr. Reinhold G. Laessle; Professor Dr. Jobst Meyer; Professor Dr. Claude P. Muller; Dr. Ewald Naumann; Professor Dr. Karl Friedrich Wender; Privatdozent Dr. Werner Wippich; Professor Dr. Stefan Wüst
Cooperation Partners
Professor Dr. Ron DeKloet; Professor Menno R. Kruk, Ph.D.; Professor Onno C. Meijer, Ph.D.; Professor Roel H. de Rijk, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Erno Vreugdenhil
IRTG-Partner: Spokesperson
Professorin Dr. Melly S. Oitzl
