Psychophysiology and optical imaging

The Psychophysiology and Optical Imaging group is concerned with the measurement of brain function and peripheral physiological variables (e.g. skin conductance) in psychiatric patients (e.g. schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, dementia) and healthy controls.

Methods

The aim of the investigations is the recording of pathophysiologically relevant processes as well as the measurement and prediction of changes in the context of therapeutic interventions. Electrophysiological methods (electroencephalography, EEG; electromyography, EMG; evoked potentials, EP; measurement of electrodermal activity, EDA) as well as the technique of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), an optical method of functional imaging, are used to non-invasively record the oxygenation of brain tissue with good temporal resolution.

In terms of content, much of the current research focuses on frontal brain function, with executive control functions such as inhibition, action control and monitoring, and conflict processing. In addition, we are interested in investigating higher-level processes that include working memory, approach and avoidance behavior, and emotion regulation. Another focus of the research group is the combination of methods of different procedures, which serves the holistic understanding of the pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases as well as the mechanisms of action of corresponding therapeutic interventions.

Contact

Management:

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: Dr. phil. Ann-Christine Ehlis, Dipl.-Psych.

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: +49 7071 29-87103

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: 07071 29-4141

E-mail address: ann-christine.ehlis@med.uni-tuebingen.de

More about the person

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: Prof. Dr. med. Andreas J. Fallgatter

More about the person

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: Internships / Theses: Contact us to schedule an interview to get to know each other better.

Application information for internships and theses

Secretariat:

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: Diana Thoma

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: +49 7071 29-86119

E-mail address: Diana.Thoma@med.uni-tuebingen.de

frontend.sr-only_#{element.contextual_1.children.icon}: Calwerstraße 14
72076 Tübingen

Studies

Participation in studies

Various scientific experiments are carried out in our laboratories. For this purpose, we need volunteers to participate in these experiments. Below you will find information on current experiments. If you are interested, please contact us at the address given.

Learn more

Promotion projects

Funding

  • CIN Pool Project (No. 2010-11): "Action monitoring and response control in heavy and light social drinkers" (funding period: 2011-2013)
  • BMBF-Paniknetz Subproject: "Clinical and neurobiological effects of NIRS-controlled transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with panic disorder during treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy (KVT)" (Münster/Tübingen)
  • Investigator Sponsored Study: "Electrophysiological measurement of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) function in schizophrenic patients treated with Seroquel® or Fluanxol®" (D1443L00016)
  • IZKF Tübingen - Fortüne (Fortüne application no. 2013-0-0): "Neurobiological basis of emotion recognition from human gait sequences in healthy individuals and patients with mental illness" (funding period: 2011-2013)
  • IZKF Tübingen - Fortüne (Fortüne application no. 2091-1-0): "High Resolution Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Anxiety Disorders" (funding period: 2013-2015)
  • Graduate School GSC 1028: "Learning, Educational Achievement, and Life Course Development (LEAD): An Integrated Research and Training Program" (Excellence Initiative of the German Federal and State Governments - Second Program Phase; funding period: 2012-2017).
  • DFG proposal (FA 361/21-1): "Neurofeedback for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a placebo-controlled feasibility study comparing slow cortical potential feedback with near-infrared feedback" (funding period: 2013-2016)
  • IZKF Junior Research Group (2115-0-0): "Frontal brain functions in adult ADHD - Theoretical differentiation, neurophysiological basis and innovative treatment procedures" (funding period: 2013-2016)
  • DFG proposal (CR 110/8-1): "Embodied learning of numerosity - math with a mat" (funding period: 2013-2015)
  • DFG proposal (EH 388/2-1): "Cognitive control and the prefrontal cortex: functional measurements and effects of neuromodulation in healthy subjects and a high-impulse risk sample" (funding period: 2016-2019)

Cooperations

Intramural cooperation

Extramural cooperation

Publications

Selected publications

  • Barth, B., Rohe, T., Deppermann, S., Fallgatter, A. J. & Ehlis, A.-C. (in press). Neural oscillatory responses to performance monitoring differ between high- and low-impulsive individuals, but are unaffected by TMS. Human Brain Mapping.

  • Max, S. M., Schroeder, P. A., Blechert, J., Giel, K. E., Ehlis, A.-C. & Plewnia, C. (in press). Mind the food: behavioural characteristics and imaging signatures of the specific handling of food objects. Brain Structure and Functions.

  • Maier, M. J., Rosenbaum, D., Brüne, M., Fallgatter, A. J. & Ehlis, A.-C. (2021). The impact of TMS-enhanced cognitive control on forgiveness processes. Brain & Behavior.

  • Blum, L., Rosenbaum, D., Röben, B., Dehnen, K., Maetzler, W., Suenkel, U., Fallgatter, A. J., Ehlis, A.-C. & Metzger, F. G. (2021). Age-related deterioration of performance and increase of cortex activity comparing time- versus item-controlled fNIRS measurement. Scientific Reports, 11, 6766.

  • Blume, F., Dresler, T., Göllner, R., Ehlis, A.-C., Gawrilow, C. & Möller, K. (2021). Evaluating the relevance of basic numerical skills for mathematical achievement in secondary school using a within-task assessment approach. Acta Psychologica, 215, 103289.

  • Kropp, P., Niederberger, U. & Dresler, T. (2021). Biofeedback – Wirkungsweise und Anwendung am Beispiel von Kopfschmerzen. Psychotherapeut, 66, 163–172.

The team

education and training

Internships

In our research group it is possible to complete internships of several weeks. Here you can gain experience with different neuroscientific methods and actively support research in teamwork.

Requirements:

  • Age at least 18 years
  • friendly appearance
  • fun in teamwork
  • Flexibility regarding the tasks to be done

If you are interested, please contact us to arrange an interview to get to know each other better.

Theses

Within the framework of our research projects, it is possible to write various theses (bachelor's, master's, diploma, doctoral theses).

Requirements:

  • Study of medicine, psychology or field of neuro- / cognitive sciences
  • friendly manner in dealing with patients / test participants
  • Ability to do in-depth, independent scientific work.

Content of your application:

  • Letter of motivation
  • Tabular curriculum vitae
  • copies of certificates

If you are interested, please contact us to arrange an interview to get to know each other better. Applications are best sent by e-mail to Dr. phil. Ann-Christine Ehlis (preferably in pdf format).


Further links