Background
For core symptom dimensions of psychiatric disorders—particularly negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia—effective treatment options remain limited. In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) have demonstrated considerable therapeutic potential.
At the same time, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of these interventions are not yet fully understood. In particular, it remains unclear to what extent peripheral effects, such as cutaneous stimulation, contribute to the observed neurocognitive changes.
Against this background, our research integrates clinical-therapeutic questions with mechanistic approaches to better understand both the efficacy and the underlying principles of non-invasive brain stimulation.
Aims of the Research Group
The aim of our research group is to systematically investigate the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in psychiatric disorders and to elucidate their underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
In the long term, these findings are intended to support the development of mechanistically informed, clinically effective, and personalized stimulation approaches.
Selection of Current Projects
There are currently no sufficiently effective treatment options for negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Notably, negative symptoms substantially contribute to poor psychosocial outcomes in affected individuals. However, initial studies suggest considerable potential for non-invasive brain stimulation approaches.
In particular, intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), has emerged as a promising intervention. In this randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, single-center study, we investigate the efficacy of iTBS in improving negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.
Within each session, stimulation is applied sequentially to the cerebellar vermis and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In addition, comprehensive neuropsychological and neuroimaging assessments are conducted. The aim is to determine whether modulation of the fronto-cerebellar network, via changes in its functional activity, leads to improvements in negative symptoms and cognition.
Information for Patients: Flyer
Transcranial brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) are increasingly used in neuroscience research and are being intensively investigated for their clinical potential.
It is commonly assumed that the effects of these techniques are primarily mediated by direct influences of electric fields on the brain. However, the resulting electric fields are substantially stronger in the skin than in the cerebral cortex, meaning that transcranial stimulation is invariably accompanied by pronounced cutaneous stimulation.
Whether this cutaneous stimulation significantly contributes to the observed neurocognitive effects represents a key unresolved question. In this study, we therefore systematically investigate, across four sub-studies in healthy participants, the extent to which cutaneous stimulation influences the effects of transcranial direct and alternating current stimulation.
Information for Participants: Flyer
Internal:
- Prof. Dr. med. Tillmann Krüger, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Department of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine
External:
- Prof. Dr. Hannah Maier, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
- Prof. Dr. Benjamin Straube, Philipps University of Marburg, Laboratory for Translational Neuroimaging
Research Group Leader
Dr. med. Rasmus Schuelke
Phone: +49 511 532 4156
Email: Schuelke.Rasmus@mh-hannover.de
Publications:pubmed