The aim of this project is to clarify the mechanisms underlying deep brain stimulation (DBS) for dystonia, using suitable animal models of different types of human dystonia. Already short-term, antidystonic effective stimulation leads to dampening of cortico-striatal synaptic communication. Ongoing studies focus on long-term stimulation, now made feasible by implantable stimulators. The project includes examinations on: effects on the severity of dystonia, mechanisms underlying DBS (especially oscillations and activity propagation patterns), biomarkers of therapeutic outcome (focusing on EEG and local field potential markers for feedback control), and on the role of functional plasticity and network connectivity for stimulation effects.

A01 / A02 / A03 / A06 / B03 / B06 / C02 / C03 / C04 / S01 / INF

Prof. Dr. med. habil. Rüdiger Köhling
E-Mail
Tel.: +49 381 494 8000

Until 30.06.2025 led by
Prof. Dr. med. vet. habil. Angelika Richter

From 01.07.2025 led by
Prof. Dr. med. vet. Franziska Richter Assêncio
E-Mail
Tel.: +49 511 953 8721
 

Rostock University Medical Centre 
Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology
Gertrudenstraße 9
18057 Rostock

University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy
Bünteweg 17, Gebäude 218
30559 Hannover

Malin Kotyra
E-Mail

Max Frederick Hörnschemeyer
E-Mail

Dr. Fabiana Santana-Kragelund
E-Mail

Denise Franz
Dr. Marco Heerdegen
Prof. Dr. Timo Kirschstein
Valentin Neubert
Christoph Werner-Schmolling

Nadin Hoffmann
Dr. Anika Lüttig
Maria Paap
Dr. Anja Schulz