RG Learning and Brain Plasticity in Mental Disorder

Our research focuses on the interaction of brain and behavior, in particular the question how behavior and experience influence neural processes and how neural processes alter behavior and experience. A special focus is on the role of implicit learning and memory processes in the development and maintenance of mental and psychophysiological disorders such as chronic pain, anxiety disorders or pathological aging. This includes experimental psychological approaches, neuropsychological testing, peripheral physiological assessments as well as structural and functional brain imaging and brain stimulation methods. In addition, treatment approaches using behavioral and combined pharmacological-behavioral treatments are developed and examined. These include extinction retraining, sensory discrimination, use of virtual reality applications, brain computer interfaces, brain stimulation and combinations of these treatments with pharmacological interventions.