• Dr. Dr. med. Florian Raabe – Mail: florian.raabe@med.uni-muenchen.de

• Emanuel Boudriot
• Alexandra Hirsch
  

• Vanessa Gabriel
  

The Retinal Psychiatry group investigates the retina as an accessible part of the central nervous system to gain novel insights into the pathophysiology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Originating from the developing brain, the retina shares anatomical, developmental, and functional characteristics with cortical structures, including similar neurotransmitter systems and layered neuronal-glial organization.

By applying advanced imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electroretinography (ERG), combined with multimodal deep phenotyping and genetic analyses, we aim to:

• Identify disease-relevant retinal biomarkers for schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs).
• Link retinal microstructural and electrophysiological alterations to genetic risk and clinical phenotypes.
• Advance translational approaches to understand (inter)neuronal and synaptic dysfunction in schizophrenia in vivo.

The working group Retinal Psychiatry is operating within the framework of the CDP Working Group, a local research consortium based at LMU Munich, MPI Psychiatry, and the University of Augsburg. The Clinical Deep Phenotyping (CDP) Study is a comprehensive, multicenter initiative designed to unravel the complex biological, clinical, and cognitive underpinnings of severe mental illnesses, with a focus on psychotic disorders. By integrating extensive phenotypic assessments—including neuroimaging, retinal assessments, cognitive testing, digital phenotyping, biosampling, and detailed clinical evaluations—the study aims to identify transdiagnostic biomarkers and stratify patient subgroups based on biologically grounded dimensions. Through this deep phenotyping approach, the CDP Working Group aims to support the development of precision psychiatry tools that can inform individualized diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for people living with severe psychiatric conditions.