GRK 632:  Neuroscience: Neuroplasticity Research

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: from 2000 to 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273121

Neuroplastic events are activated in ontogenesis, and can be recruited by disease and experimental or pharmacological manipulation. It is the aim of this research training group to study how to induce and control plasticity in the nervous system, and to derive new therapeutic strategies from this research. Towards this end, functionally beneficial plasticity, which supports recovery of function will be distinguished from maladaptive plasticity such as in phantom pain, dyskinesias, and dystonic movement disorders.Scientists of different disciplines will provide interdisclipinary teaching on the mechanisms of neuroplasticity, with particular emphasis on the interactions between clinical and basic research (biophysics, biochemistry, neurobiology, pharmacology) in an area that has been somewhat neglected in more traditional programs.A major aim of the 11 projects which cover essential aspects of neuroplasticity will be to encourage application of basic research findings to clinical medicine. To this end, the course will be carried out in close proximity to a clinical environment and will involve patients suffering from movement disorders, epilepsy, stroke, depression, pain and other disorders. Basic research will explore the physiological, chemical and anatomical mechanisms of neuroplasticity, whilst the clinical application will focus on therapeutic strategies that support functionally beneficial plasticity or suppress maladaptive plasticity. Controlled modulation of neuroplasticity, e.g. through (motor) learning or neuropharmacological intervention, will be documented by modern neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques.

• DFG Programme: International Research Training Groups
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH (DPZ); Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung; Max-Planck-Institut für biophysikalische Chemie; (Karl-Friedrich-Bonhoeffer-Institut) (aufgelöst); Max-Planck-Institut für experimentelle Medizin (aufgelöst)
• IRTG-Partner Institution: Queen Mary University ; Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry; Hammersmith Hospital London; University College London (UCL)
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Walter Paulus
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. David J. Brooks; Professor Dr. Nils Brose; Professor Dr. Michael Buchfelder; Dr. Frances Edwards; Professorin Dr. Hannelore Maria Ehrenreich; Professor Dr. Bernhard Keller; Professorin Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein; Professor Dr. Roger N. Lemon; Professor Dr. Ahmed Mansouri; Professor Dr. Erwin Neher; Privatdozent Dr. Michael Rickmann; Professor Dr. John Rothwell; Professorin Dr. Anna-Leena K. Sirén; Dr. Holger Taschenberger; Professor Dr. Stefan Treue