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, and we focus initially on two common conditions: chronic pain (pain system) and depression (affective system).
A01
How do anxiety and expectation control pain?
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Bingel
A02
Where can expectations and treatment of pain be seen in the brain?
Prof. Dr. Christian Büchel
A03
How does the prefrontal cortex process expectations of pain?
Prof. Dr. Michael Rose
Z02
What influences the treatment expectations of an individual patient? Genes, hormones, stress?
Prof. Dr. Winfried Rief
Prof. Dr. Erik M. Müller
Prof. Dr. Manfred Schedlowski
Prof. Dr. Harald Engler
A04
How does our brain influence visceral pain?
Prof. Dr. Sigrid Elsenbruch
A06
Can positive thinking help us to age more healthily?
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Brassen
A07
How do positive expectations improve mood?
Prof. Dr. Erik M. Müller
Prof. Dr. Dominik M. Endres
A08
Do positive expectations improve the effect of antidepressants?
Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher
PD Dr. Irina Falkenberg
A09
How is the effect of antidepressants influenced by treatment experiences?
Prof. Dr. Markus Wöhr
Prof. Dr. Rainer K.W. Schwarting
A10
What impact do negative experiences have on the potential side effects of a treatment?
Prof. Dr. Harald Engler
Prof. Dr. Manfred Schedlowski
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
A12
Expectation-induced improvement in the treatment outcome of psoriasis patients in terms of pain, itching and quality of life.
Prof. Dr. Manfred Schedlowski
Dr. Wiebke Sondermann
A15
Does anxiety intensify the discontinuation symptoms of antidepressants?
Prof. Dr. Yvonne Nestoriuc
Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher
A16
What impact does medical information have on the outcome of treatment for depression?
Prof. Dr. Winfried Rief
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.
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
Positive and negative expectations and the pain experienced by children and adolescents.
Prof. Dr. Christiane Hermann
Dr. Alexander Winkler