Research projects
The research network comprises 16 closely linked projects. This integration of projects and teams enables research questions to be examined from several perspectives in order to obtain answers at different levels. What are the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms that underlie the effects of treatment expectation? And how do we explain individual differences? To answer this question, large quantities of data must be analysed. That is why two central research projects (identified by project number Z) analyse data from across the network. Can these findings be used to benefit patients? For which diseases? Clinical studies can provide clarity here. Our initial focus was on chronic pain (pain system) and depression (affect system). In the second funding period, we are now expanding our focus to include other disorders such as psoriasis and inflammation.
A01
A02
How we create our own expectations – and the role that attention plays in this
Prof. Dr. Christian Büchel
NEWS
A03
Z02
What influences the treatment expectations of an individual patient? Genes, hormones, stress?
Prof. Dr. Winfried Rief
Prof. Dr. Harald Engler
Prof. Dr. Meike Shedden Mora
A04
How expectations influence stomach ache – and how the experience of pain changes treatment expectations
Prof. Dr. Sigrid Elsenbruch
PD Dr. Julian Kleine-Borgmann
A06
How do expectations control our emotions - and what does attention have to do with it?
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Brassen
A07
How do positive expectations improve mood?
Prof. Dr. Erik M. Müller
Prof. Dr. Dominik M. Endres
This project has been completed.
A08
Do positive expectations improve the effect of antidepressants?
Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher
PD Dr. Irina Falkenberg
This project has been completed.
A09
How do social observations influence the efficacy of antidepressants?
Prof. Dr. Markus Wöhr
Prof. Dr. Rainer K.W. Schwarting
A10
What neurobiological mechanisms are negative expectations based on?
Prof. Dr. Harald Engler
Dr. Laura Heiß-Lückemann
Z03
Can imaging techniques help to predict the effect of treatment expectations on therapeutic outcome?
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Bingel
Prof. Dr. Christian Büchel
Dr. Tamas Spisak
A11
How do discussions with the doctor impact inflammatory symptoms and their treatment?
Prof. Dr. Sven Benson
Prof. Dr. Hana Rohn
A12
How can we use expectations to improve the treatment of psoriasis?
Prof. Dr. Wiebke Sondermann
Prof. Dr. Sven Benson
A13
How can expectation effects help to reduce pain after a hip operation?
PD Dr. Regine Klinger
Prof. Dr. Sigrid Elsenbruch
A15
Less worry, more optimism: Can antidepressant treatments be improved in real time?
Prof. Dr. Yvonne Nestoriuc
Prof. Dr. Winfried Rief
A16
How can optimized expectations help with internet-based interventions for depression?
Prof. Dr. Winfried Rief
Prof. Dr. Christine Knaevelsrud
A17
What role does the cerebellum play in placebo and nocebo effects?
Prof. Dr. Dagmar Timmann
A19
Warmth, competence and more: What practitioners can achieve through communication
Prof. Dr. Helen Blank
Prof. Dr. Katja Wiech
A18
How are other people doing – and what does that mean for me?
PD Dr. Jan Haaker
Prof. Dr. Christiane Melzig
SC
Passing on knowledge: communication strategies for better patient care
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Bingel
Prof. Dr. Sven Benson
Dr. Helena Hartmann
Collaborations
In addition to their collaboration on internal CRC projects, our teams work with external partners on other projects. This expands the range of research undertaken by the CRC.
Positive and negative expectations and the pain experienced by children and adolescents.
Prof. Dr. Christiane Hermann
Dr. Alexander Winkler
Does "learning through observation" relieve depressive symptoms in children and adolescents?
Prof. Dr. Johannes Hebebrand
Prof. Dr. Yvonne Nestoriuc
Can migraine symptoms be relieved by patients knowingly taking tablets without an active ingredient?
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Bingel
Dr. Julian Kleine-Borgmann
Dr. Katharina Schmidt