Team
Team
RTG Speaker
Speaker of RTG
Co-Speaker of RTG
PIs
Post-Doctoral Researchers
Dr. AmirHussein Abdolalizadeh Saleh
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
Education:
MD at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Research Background:
identification of the neurobiological underpinnings of neurologic and psychiatric disorders
Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia, Autism
neuroimaging tools including diffusion and functional MRI
Current Project: His current focus in RTG is on predicting the optimal neuromodulation and its outcomes in patients with Parkinson's disease using different statistical and imaging analytical methods.
Link to Scholar: scholar.google.com/citations
Doctoral Researchers
Rebekah Brückner
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
P6: Combining cognitive training and tACS in patients after stroke to improve interference control
PI: Özyurt
Collaborators: Herrmann, Thiel
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 - 2021) Master of Science in Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
(2013 - 2016) Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California Berkeley
Research Background:
MEG, EEG, MRI and tACs techniques, Auditory processing, Stroke rehabilitation
Current Project: Combining cognitive training and tACs in patients after stroke to improve interference control
Linda Büker
https://uol.de/amt/mitarbeiter/linda-bueker
P4: Sensor-based tracking of upper limb use in domestic environments
PI: Hein
Collaborator: Kranczioch
Education:
(2023 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Jennifer Decker
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team/jennifer-decker-phd-candidate
P3: Motor imagery neurofeedback training at home for upper-limb motor recovery in stroke and associated changes in cortical motor-prefrontal functional connectivity
PI: Kranczioch
Collaborators: Thiel, Grefkes
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Research Background:
Motor imagery, Neurofeedback, Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Motor and cognitive assessment, Stroke patients
Repeated practice of movement sequences enables these movements to be learned and perfected. A similar effect can be achieved by simply imagining these movements, since the activity of the responsible brain areas strongly overlaps. This type of motor imagery (MI) training allows especially motor impaired individuals (e.g., stroke patients) to work on improving their actual motor skills on a cognitive level and is therefore promising in the context of neural rehabilitation. To provide feedback on performance during practice, additional neurofeedback (NF) can be provided based on individual brain activity during practice, often EEG-based. This allows for real-time objective error analysis as well as correction so that neural activity is specifically modulated.
Current Project: In this across-subjects multiple baseline study, extensive testing of motor function and cognition as well as structural and functional imaging using EEG and MRI will be performed before and after four weeks of MI-NF training. The aim is to further investigate the effects of intensive home-based MI-NF training on the connectivity of motor and prefrontal areas and on the recovery of upper limb motor function in stroke patients.
Motahare Delbari
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team
P2: TMS-induced EEG responses for the characterization of brain network integrity
PI: Debener, Grefkes
Collaborators: Herrmann
Education:
(2023 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Yan Deng
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
P10: Noradrenergic and cholinergic modulation of functional connectivity related to motor performance and interference resolution in older volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease
PI: Thiel
Collaborators: Witt, Grefkes
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Paul Grupe
https://uol.de/psychologie/statistik/paul-grupe
P8: Monitoring far-transfer effects of neuromodulation and cognitive training on interference control in daily activities after stroke by means of experience sampling methods
PI: Andrea Hildebrandt
Collaborators: Brütt, Özyurt, Kranczioch
Education:
(2023 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(10/2021 - 09/2023) MSc in Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
(09/2018 - 8/2021) BSc in Psychology, Leiden University, Netherlands
Theresa Johannßen
https://uol.de/en/experimental-psychology
P9: Modulating frontal midline theta EEG oscillations in order to improve motor performance and interference resolution in older volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease
PI: Herrmann
Collaborator: Witt
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2022) MSc in Neurosciences, University of Bremen
(2019) BSc in Psychology, University of Bremen
Research Background:
Electroencephalography, Brain Stimulation, Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation, Clinical Neuropsychology, Parkinson's Disease, Developmental Neuropsychology
Current Project: Research on neural oscillations has shown that impaired midfrontal theta activity (4-8 Hz) is associated with cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. By transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) cortical oscillations can be modulated and thus cognitive processes and behaviour. The aim of my PhD project is to investigate tACS as a potential therapy to restore cognitive functions in Parkinson’s disease.
Sina Khajei
https://uol.de/en/applied-neurocognitive-psychology/team/sina-khajei-msc
P7: Brain mechanisms of cognitive interference in coordination of realistic action sequences in virtual reality
PI: Rieger
Collaborators: Hein
Education:
(2024 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Lea Mais
P1: The role of prefrontal cortex in motor recovery after stroke
PI: Grefkes
Collaborators: Debener, Kranczioch
Education:
(2023 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Lara Papin
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team/lara-papin-phd-candidate-1
P12: Gait-related brain activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease: A mobile EEG study and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation
PI: Debener
Collaborators: Witt, Hein
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Wolf Pink
https://uol.de/ambulantes-assessment-psychologie/team
P5: Frequency specific neurofeedback to promote interference reduction in memory consolidation
PI: Roheger, Kranczioch
Collaborators: Notbohm
Education:
(2024 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 – 2024) Master of Science in Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
(2014 – 2018) Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Trier
Research Background:
EEG, Neurofeedback, Sonification
Lena Pinkert
https://uol.de/biologische-psychologie/team
P10: Cholinergic modulation of functional connectivity related to motor performance and interference resolution in older volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease
PI: Thiel
Collaborators: Witt
Education:
(2024 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Selma Polte
https://uol.de/ambulantes-assessment-psychologie/team
P15: Transcranial Pulse Stimulation: Neuro-navigated ultrasound-based brain stimulation to treat cognitive
deficits in Parkinson’s disease.
PI: Roheger
Collaborators: Herrmann, Witt, Thiel
Education:
(2024 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Foroogh Razavi
https://uol.de/allgemeine-psychologie/mitarbeiter
P9: Interference resolution in older volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease
PI: Herrmann
Collaborators: Witt
Education:
(2024 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Luisa Schmidt
https://uol.de/neurologie/mitarbeiter
P11: Effectiveness of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on motor performance and interference resolution in patients with Parkinson’s disease
PI: Witt
Collaborators: Thiel, Debener
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Evgenii Shvedovskii
https://uol.de/humanmedizin/abteilungen/universitaetsklinik-kjpp/team
P16: Interference control across the lifespan: bridging neurological and psychiatric rehabilitation
PI: Thiel
Collaborators: Hildebrandt
external collaborator: Prof. Dr. Yulia Golub
Education:
(2024 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Emelie Wienecke
https://uol.de/rehaforschung/mitarbeiter
P13: How to translate neuromodulation into routine care?
PI: Brütt
Collaborators: Hildebrandt, Hein
Education:
(2024 - current) PhD in the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
Associated Researchers
Gesa Gerding, M. Sc.
https://www.rehazentrum-oldenburg.de/therapie-pflege/therapiebereiche/psychologie/
Dr. rer. nat. Annika Notbohm
https://www.gesundheitnord.de/klinikum-bremen-ost/neurologie/team.html#c51457
Associated Doctoral Researchers
Paria Jahansa
PI: Adele Diederich
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD associated with the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 - 2021) MSc Mathematical Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, Iran
Research Background:
Bayesian mixture models for clustering Big Data
data mining, including time series, regression, data mining, and multivariate analysis
With nearly a decade of experience utilizing statistical learning methods with R programing language, I am always eager to broaden my knowledge and explore practical applications of statistics in interdisciplinary projects.
Current Project: DFG-funded project focused on testing race models for the stop signal task using the copula approach. This project has allowed me to expand my knowledge and experience in the field of statistics, especially about the copula functions, and has provided me with valuable opportunities to work collaboratively with other researchers and experts in the field of mathematical psychology.
Melanie Klapprott
https://uol.de/neuropsychologie/team/melanie-klapprott-phd-candidate
PI: Stefan Debener
Thesis Project: Effects of different acute sport interventions on memory performance and (neuro-)physiological correlates
Education:
(2023 - current) PhD associated with the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2020 - 2023) MSc Neurocognitive Psychology, University of Oldenburg
Katharina Meier
https://uol.de/neurologie/mitarbeiter
PI: Witt
Education:
(2022 - current) PhD (Dr. med. Excellence program) associated with the Research Training Group for Neuromodulation
(2018 - current) studies of Medical Sciences, University of Oldenburg
Current Project: We are investigating the transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation and analyzing the effects of this neuromodulation procedure in healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease. In the study, I am mainly focusing on analyzing pupil size, saliva alpha-amylase and adverse events. My goal is to continue pursuing this research direction in the future.
Anna Reinhold
https://uol.de/en/health-services-research/divisions/junior-research-group-for-rehabilitation-science/mitarbeiter/anna-reinhold-msc
PI: Brütt
Dr. med. Johannes Stalter
https://uol.de/neurologie/johannes-stalter
PI: Witt
Research Background:
Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) is a new method to non-invasively stimulate
regions in the depth of the brain. The idea behind this is to send out two very-high frequencies that do not interfere with brain activity, which are slightly different (e.g. 2 kHz and 2,1 kHz) and are overlapping in the region of interest (ROI) in deep brain regions such as the basal ganglia. In this way, the frequencies extinct each other with only the delta of both frequencies (in this example 0,1 kHz) targeting in the ROI. This frequency then stimulates the deep laying regions. Overlying cortical layers are not affected by this technique. The current is applied by electrodes which are placed on the scalp of the participants. Previous studies demonstrated the efficiency of tTIS in an animal model and the safety of tTIS in humans. The studies of this application extent the research question to a proof of principle of tTIS in a disease model namely Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Current Project: In this project, tTIS will be applied for the first time in PD patients. One major symptom complex are the motor symptoms, which are caused by neuronal oscillation changes in the basal ganglia, namely the putamen. Another aspect of this disease are non-motor symptoms like apathy, which is defined by a lack of motivation. This is thought to be caused by changed oscillations in the region of the nucleus accumbens.
To provide an exact stimulation, we will simulate the stimulation on a single-subject level with individual MRI scans. In the second phase, the two different aspects of this disease are investigated. First, we stimulate the putamen of the participants. The change in motor performance will be measured with a finger tapping task, which is analyzed by a 3D video camera system. Another sequential finger tapping task is performed to measure motor learning. Second, the nucleus accumbens will be stimulated with a gamma frequency to enhance effortreward behavior and therefore modulate the motivation. This is tested with a well-established motivation task, in which the participants have to squeeze a hand grip to gain rewards. The studies will be accompanied by a standardized safety investigation. Using a cross-over real or sham design, the impact of tTIS on motor and non-motor symptoms will be investigated in order to perform feasibility, safety and a first prove of concept of tTIS to treat motor and non-motor aspects of a neurodegenerative disease.
Administration
Richelle Durano
RTG Office
Finances and Administration
Dr. rer. nat. Gesa Feenders
RTG Office
Scientific Administration