Molecular Neuroimaging

The department, which was established at the Central Institute of Mental Health on 1 January 2018, investigates the neurobiological basis of mental disorders and the mechanisms of action of psychotropic substances. Modern imaging techniques, in particular positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which can be carried out simultaneously on a modern PET/MR tomograph, are used in particular. The modern Siemens Biograph mMR PET/MR scanner is part of the new research infrastructure at the Centre for Innovative Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Research (ZIPP). The department thus sees itself as a hub for all research groups at the CIMH and beyond who want to expand their research approaches to include the investigation of neurochemistry in the living human brain.

Another focus of the department is translational and clinical psychopharmacology, which aims to characterise psychotropic drugs in humans, i.e. in healthy volunteers as well as in patients with mental disorders, and to evaluate their short and long-term effects. A research station (‘Early Clinical Trials Unit’, ECTU) with six beds is available at the ZIPP for early experimental psychopharmacological studies. Multi-centre therapy studies are carried out in cooperation with numerous national and international centres, and contacts with all companies in the research-based pharmaceutical industry allow participation in clinical trials of innovative drugs. A major focus of work over the next few years will be the study of propsychotherapeutic and psychedelic drugs such as MDMA and psilocybin in various psychiatric disorders.

The EPIsoDE study, a large (n = 144), double-blind and controlled study on treatment with psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, was conducted between 2021 and 2024 under the leadership of the department and has since been completed. The ECTU offers ideal conditions for conducting such studies. Several other projects are currently being prepared.

In summer 2024, the department initiated the START outpatient clinic (START: late effects, tapering, discontinuation and re-evaluation of therapy with psychotropic drugs). This is where people who wish to have their psychotropic drug therapy assessed come for advice and, if necessary, are supported in discontinuing this therapy. The long-term consequences of psychotropic drug therapy are also scientifically analysed here.

Drug safety and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) are another core focus of the department's work. This plays a central role within the TDM working group of the Working Group for Neuropsychopharmacology and Pharmacopsychiatry (AGNP). The aim is to improve pharmacotherapy in routine clinical care through personalisation, as TDM and pharmacogenetics already allow today.