LVR-Klinikum Düsseldorf Hospital of the Heinrich-Heine University ...

Influence of the m-opioid receptor genotype on
the cortical representation of pain
A. Mobascher, J. Brinkmeyer, T. Warbrick, T., G. Winterer
in cooperation with A. Schnitzler (Institute for Medical
Psychology and Clinical Neurosciences) and A. Saleh and
H.-J. Wittsack (Institute for Radiology, Heinrich-Heine
University, Düsseldorf)
Project period: 2007–2009
Financing: Research commission of the Faculty of Medicine
of the Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf
In this genetic-imaging study, genetic influences on cortical
pain processing are investigated by means of simultaneous
EEG-fMRT. Genetic variations in the opioid system are of
special interest within this project. To date, 75 of the 100
planned healthy subjects have been investigated. The
genetic analyses of the subjects investigated so far were not
completed at the time of reporting, thus results related to
the main genetic objectives of the project have not yet been
answered. However, several methodical aspects, relating to
multimodal imaging (EEG-fMRT or EDA-EEG-fMRT; EDA =
electrodermal activity), could already be published.
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic
stimulation (rTMS) on attention processes and
their brain-imaging correlates
Sub-project of the multi-centre study RESIS – “Efficacy
of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the
treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia” (Principal
Investigator: P. Falkai, Göttingen)
M. Arends, J. Brinkmeyer, G. Winterer, in cooperation with
the “Transcranial magnetic stimulation” research group
(J. Cordes)
Project period: 2007–2010
Financing: DFG funding to P. Falkai, Göttingen
This project uses simultaneous EEG/fMRT measurement
during an attention-related task (visual oddball task).
Measurement takes place before and after a three-week
rTMS treatment, which is applied above the left dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia patients with negative
symptoms in accordance with the study protocol for the
clinical RESIS trial. The present sub-project looks for pre/
post changes of the activation pattern in the dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex. To date, 30 of the planned 45 patients have
been included in the study.
ReseaRch
Effects of a drug treatment with methylphenidate
depending on the COMT genotype in adult patients
with ADHS
C. Wessels, S. Botterweck, F. Musso, R. Schwark, G.
Winterer in cooperation with C. Ohmann (Coordination
Centre for Clinical Studies) and the Institute for Radiology,
Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf and the Institute of
Genetics of the University of Cologne
Project period: 2008–2010
Financing: Research commission of the Faculty of Medicine
of Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf
This study (still in the preparation phase) is designed to
investigate the effects of short-term intervention with
methylphenidate in adults with ADHS in relation to the
catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) genotype. The
background is the observation that effects of drug treatment
with methylphenidate are highly variable in people with
ADHS. One of the factors that could influence this variability
is a polymorphism in the COMT gene (val158met), which
co-promotes the availability of dopamine in the prefrontal
cortex. Therefore, in the present double-blind, randomised,
placebo-controlled cross-over study, N = 48 patients will
be investigated in three groups corresponding to the three
possible COMT genotypes. The influence of methylphenidate
administration on the relevant cerebral function systems
and attention will be assessed by using imaging and
electrophysiological techniques (EEG/fMRT simultaneously)
and neuropsychological tests.
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