Neurophysiology 

Head: Prof. Dr. med. Oliver Pogarell

The Department of Neurophysiology and functional Neuroimaging addresses to investigate neurobiological basis and neurophysiological correlates of human behavior and mental illnesses.

Within this context the investigation and analysis of the electrophysiological activity of the brain at rest and during cognitive or emotional demands is of importance. Non-invasive methods are applied e.g. electroencephalography (EEG) or event-related potentials (ERPs; e.g. the so-called P300) that allow the evaluation of brain-electric activity in different functional states and with high temporal resolution. Using these methods it is possible to examine functional responses at rest (resting state), functional connectivity, neurophysiological responses associated with cognitive or emotional processes as well as neuroplastic variations of the brain. Modern techniques for data analysis allow to display functional connectivity between various brain regions and their temporal dynamic.

The multimodal acquisition of brain structures and brain function is complemented by the combination with neuroimaging methods (e.g. fMRI, PET). In the clinical-therapeutic context, neurofeedback methods are developed and scientifically evaluated.

Apart from research activities the department supports all in-patient and out-patient facilities of the Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in the in the daily routine: EEG (including provocation tests), EEG with evoked potentials, ECG rank among the standard examinations. Neurophysiological examinations are also integral part of stimulation methods e.g. ECT, TMS or tDCS.

With the organization of the annual Münchner EEG-Tage we offer a platform for science and further education in clinical neurophysiology and functional imaging.

We offer the opportunity to complete research internships in our department. In addition, doctoral thesis (medicine, psychology) can be supervised by our employees.