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School of Psychology and Psychotherapy

Chair of Neurobiology and Genetics of Behaviour

Profile

The Chair is responsible for research and teaching in the neuropsychological, neurobiological and genetic foundations relevant to psychology within the School of Psychology and Psychotherapy at Witten/Herdecke University.

Chair holder

Portrait photo of Univ.-Prof Dr Martina Piefke

Univ.-Prof. Dr.

Martina Piefke

Chair holder

Faculty of Health (School of Psychology and Psychotherapy)  |  Chair of Neurobiology and Genetics of Behaviour

Scientific management

Working Group Security Research and Security Practice

Wullener Feld 17
58455 Witten

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Research

The Chair’s research focuses on the neuropsychological, neurobiological and genetic underpinnings of higher cognitive functions, as well as abnormalities in these functions among groups of neurological and psychiatric patients. We utilise neuropsychological assessment methods, neurofunctional imaging and genetic techniques, psychophysiological methods and the measurement of eye movements.

The focus is on clinical research. Within this framework, we aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the Chair of Neurobiology and Genetics of Behaviour and the Chair of Neurology, as well as with the Chair of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and the chairs and professorships at the Centre for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF). The guiding principles of interdisciplinary cooperation in clinical research are based on the objectives of the ‘Integrative and Personalised Healthcare’ research specialisation at Witten/Herdecke University.

The research specialisations of Prof. Dr Martina Piefke and her academic staff lie in the field of cognitive and clinical neuroscience. The focus is on interdisciplinary research into higher cognitive functions and emotional processing, as well as their impairments in neurological and psychiatric patients.

Areas of research

Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience

Key areas:

  • Basic research and neurocognitive studies on the biological, cognitive and behavioural effects of acute and chronic stress
  • Stress prevention and resilience among senior managers and emergency personnel in civil and military security organisations
  • Neuroplasticity and cognitive training
  • Virtual reality in neurocognitive psychology
  • Molecular genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of emotion regulation
  • Forensic psychiatry


Methods:

  • Test Psychology
  • Virtual reality
  • Human–machine interaction
  • Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging
  • Psychophysiology
  • Eye-tracking
  • Neurobiological laboratory investigations
  • Molecular and epigenetic laboratory investigations
  • Neuropharmacology

Current research projects

  • Neuropsychological Assessment and Rehabilitation in Trauma Therapy for German Armed Forces Personnel with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Neuropsychological training in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis
  • Pharmacological and neuropsychological therapy for patients with multiple sclerosis
  • Radiological and neuropsychological assessment in aviation medicine
  • Neurocognitive dysfunctions in people with narcolepsy
  • Stress management and resilience training for emergency services personnel and staff of authorities and organisations with security responsibilities
  • The impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on cognitive functions
  • Psychosocial stress and its impact on prospective memory in healthy subjects and people with psychiatric disorders and associated changes in the physiological stress response
  • Neuropsychological, genetic and epigenetic markers of alexithymia and their significance for disorders of emotional and social cognition
  • Care models, risk assessment and neuropsychological profiles of patients in long-term psychiatric secure units
  • Cognitive ageing and risk factors for the development of dementia
  • Risk and protective factors in men with schizophrenia who have been subject to a court-ordered measure under Section 63 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) and the suspension of such a measure pursuant to Section 67b StGB
  • Neuropsychological and care-related long-term studies on Parkinson’s disease

­Neuropsychology Laboratory­

At the beginning of 2014, we set up a neuropsychological laboratory at the department for clinical neuroscientific research and teaching. It houses around 150 paper-and-pencil test procedures as well as numerous computer-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

For all computer-based procedures, we have touchscreens which make it possible, for example, for geriatric patients with no computer skills to use computer-based testing and therapy procedures. In addition, our laboratory is equipped with biosensors for event-related psychophysiological measurement of skin conductance and heart rate.

The laboratory is open not only to staff and students of the School of Psychology and Psychotherapy, but also to anyone with an interest in neuroscience from all faculties and departments at Witten/Herdecke University.

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Publications

All publications by the Chair of Neurobiology and Genetics of Behaviour at UW/H are listed in the university bibliography.

University bibliography

Teaching

We integrate the practical modules and practical examinations from the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in the Department of Psychology into our interdisciplinary clinical research. The findings of this research are presented and discussed in the modules.

Bachelor of Science:

Problem-based learning (POL) is a form of learning in which students are expected to find a solution to a given problem largely independently: ‘Modelling, constructing and understanding the human brain – neuroanatomy for psychologists’. As part of the POL tutorial, in collaboration with the School of Medicine, the significant and complex structures of the human brain and their projection pathways are modelled and explored histologically and using wet specimens.

Master of Science:

  • First semester: ‘Clinical Neurosciences’ lecture
  • Second semester: the project seminars ‘Psychopharmacology’ and ‘Social Neuroscience’. The module comprises an introduction and in-depth coverage, as well as practical exercises on methods and current research topics in clinical neuroscience.

Topics for final-year theses

  • Narcolepsy
  • Neuropsychological assessment and therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis
  • Radiology and Neuropsychology
  • Cardiology and neuropsychology
  • Epigenetics
  • Stress and resilience training
  • Experimental stress induction

The team at the Chair of Neurobiology and Genetics of Behaviour