In the research group of geriatric psychiatry and neuropsychiatry, we investigate neurodegenerative diseases and their underlying pathophysiological processes according to their clinical classification and neuropsychological test procedures. For this purpose, we use complementary innovative radiological and nuclear medical methods in cooperation with the Department of Nuclear Medicine of the University Hospital Augsburg and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. The gained knowledge will be used to provide innovative therapeutic options to treat neurodegenerative syndromes. In the context of early detection of dementia, we conduct a differentiated classification of neurodegenerative syndromes to apply new treatment methods. Within our research projects, there is close cooperation with the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Department of Psychology and Sociology, the Department of Nuclear Medicine, and the Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology. Moreover, we collaborate with Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU) Munich and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).

The COVID-19 pandemic poses enormous challenges to our society and healthcare system worldwide. What contribution can science make to master this crisis? Taking into the account the pandemic's diverse negative impacts, researchers examine different areas affected by the pandemic, including biomedical, social, economic, environmental, psychological, and clinical aspects.

The onset of many mental illnesses is in adolescence or young adulthood. Especially in the early phase of the disease, structured diagnostics and patient-centered treatment are essential. But particularly young people struggle with integrating therapy into their daily lives (therapy adherence). In the working group of early detection and intervention, we develop new therapeutic strategies in an interdisciplinary team together with the patients. We investigate through which treatment approaches, therapy adherence and self-determination (empowerment) can be enhanced. A particular focus lies on the integration of digital health devices into clinical care. Diagnostically, we focus on affective and psychotic disorders in young adulthood. In the individual research projects, there is close cooperation with the Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, the Institute for Digital Medicine at the University of Augsburg, and the Clinics for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Universities of Düsseldorf and Munich.

Clinical trials serve to test new therapies in healthcare practice and are used to gain knowledge about the development, approval or extension of the conditions of use of drugs. Since 2004, clinical trials in Germany have had to be approved by the relevant higher federal authority (BfArM or PEI, depending on the drug) and are thus thoroughly checked before initialization. Through this, patients' safety, as an important objective, can be guaranteed. In addition, clinical studies are reviewed and evaluated by an ethics committee to confirm a risk-benefit consideration of the research project by another independent institution. A special feature of the projects at our site are the so-called Investigator Initiated Trials (IIT) and the use of drug repurposing. Thus, findings from preclinical and clinical university research are further developed by researchers at our clinic so that already known drugs with a possible additional benefit for certain processes in mental illnesses can be opened up for further medical application areas. The studies are funded by e.g. the DFG, BMBF and the Stanley Foundation. The Study Center for Psychiatry provides the necessary infrastructure.

The term "cognition" refers to all thinking processes such as memory, executive functions, planning, attention, learning, problem solving, metacognition, self-awareness, creativity, and intuition. Cognition constantly interacts with our own affective functions (e.g., moods and emotions) and with environmental impressions and events. Together, these factors shape our daily individual experiences and our world of experience. Cognitive impairments are characteristic of numerous mental illnesses and worsen the well-being and quality of life of those affected. In our research group, we use various instruments and questionnaires - some of which we developed specifically for this purpose - to investigate cognitive deficits in people with different mental illnesses. Our purpose is to better understand the underlying mechanisms and thus develop possible interventions to diagnose and, if necessary, improve cognitive impairments. In addition, we investigate how cognitive processes in the social context could influence our behavior and how our perception and decision making could be biased by basic beliefs and prejudices. We are currently developing this for clinical applications in diagnosis and psychotherapy.

Structured physical training for people with mental illnesses is not yet an established and common practice in many institutions and also in everyday outpatient care. However, there are many indications that physical training or exercise therapy measures are recommended for patients with mental illnesses as a useful complement to inpatient and outpatient therapy as a supplementary treatment method.

Special Outpatient Clinic for Sports Psychiatry

The special outpatient clinic "Sports Psychiatry" of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the University of Augsburg is part of the nationwide network founded by the German Society for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Neurology DGPPN with the department of sports psychiatry and psychotherapy. Through the special outpatient clinic, competitive athletes suffering from psychological burdens can present themselves and individual therapy concepts will be developed together.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) belong to the so-called non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, which are based on indirect stimulation of the brain. Via various mechanisms, they can positively influence the networking of brain areas, the release of so-called neurotrophins (messenger substances, e.g. for brain regeneration) and the effectiveness of psychopharmacological procedures.

Addictive disorders are one of the most common mental illnesses and are divided into substance-bound and non-component addictive disorders. In the case of substance-bound addictive disorders, distinctions are made between legal and illegal substances. Sexuality often plays a role in connection with substance consumption; therefore, our working group primarily deals with questions in these areas.

Schizophrenia