search_icon 

burgericon
Menü
close_icon

search_icon  

search_icon  

Neurology

Research Focus
General Facts
Research
Selected Publications
Selected Funding, Collaboration
Devices & Services

Keywords: Dementia, headache, sleep disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuroimmunology, neurobiology, epilepsy neurointensive care medicine, neurovascular research, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders
Research (ÖSTAT Classification) : 301402, 301404, 302019, 302031, 302038, 302043, 302052, 302073, 302074, 303007, 303040

Research Focus

The Clinical Department of Neurology has sixteen research groups and internationally recognised research priorities in the fields of stroke, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology, neurocritical care and sleep medicine. The Neurobiology division focuses on animal modelling of neurodegeneration with an emphasis on multiple system atrophy.

General Facts

The Clinical Department of Neurology has a total of 114 in-patient beds, including a stroke unit (8 beds), a neurocritical care unit (10 fully ventilated beds, 6 post-immediate care beds), an epilepsy monitoring unit (4 beds) and a dedicated sleep laboratory (6 beds). It acts as a referral centre for the whole spectrum of neurological diseases, covering Tyrol and the neighbouring Austrian federal states. Furthermore, it receives referrals from all over Austria for specialist diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in its main fields of expertise. The large number of patients managed each year (close to 5,500 in-patient admissions and more than 45,000 out-patient contacts in 2019) provides an excellent basis for speciality training and clinically oriented teaching of students. Key collaborations in clinical routine work include joint programmes with the department of Neurosurgery, including epilepsy surgery and deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, and with the departments of Neuroradiology, Vascular Surgery and Cardiology in the field of stroke medicine. Being devoted exclusively to research, the core facility of Neuroimaging Research (CF-NIR) offers unique technical and logistical capabilities for basic and applied neurological research. Dedicated research infrastructures within our department include the Neurobiology division (animal modelling of neurodegeneration, stem cell research), the neurological research laboratory (focus on biomarker research and neuroimmunology) and the computational neuroscience unit.

Research  

The following research professorships have been established in the Clinical Department of Neurology: Neurobiology division (Univ.-Prof. Dr. GK. Wenning §98), Computational Neuroscience (Univ.-Prof. Dr. C. Scherfler), Experimental Neurology (Univ.-Prof. Dr. M. Reindl), Neurology with a focus on Movement Disorders (Univ.-Prof. Dr. K. Seppi), Neurology with a focus on Sleep Medicine (Univ.-Prof. in Dr. in B. Högl), Neurology with a focus on Stroke Medicine (Univ.-Prof. Dr. S. Kiechl) and Translational Neurodegeneration Research (Univ.-Prof. in Dr. in N. Stefanova).

Neurobiology Division
Leaders: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gregor K Wenning MSc, Univ.-Prof. in Dr. in Nadia Stefanova PhD DSc

Our research focuses on basic molecular mechanisms, biomarker discovery and new treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases, with a special emphasis on α-synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease and MSA. We investigate the role of oligomeric α-synuclein in triggering disease-specific phenotypes, the effects of exogenous stress factors and epigenetic modulation in models of α-synucleinopathy, the involvement of glial cells in PD and MSA, and the neuroinflammatory mechanisms associated with α-synuclein pathology. Through preclinical screening and target validation for disease modification, we aim to provide rationale for clinical trials in PD and MSA.

Research Group Autonomic Unit
Leaders: Univ.-Prof. Dr. GK Wenning, Dr. in Alessandra Fanciulli PhD

The aim of the Autonomic Unit in the Neurobiology division encompasses the diagnostic processing, therapeutic management and research of patients with autonomic disorders, following a highly interdisciplinary approach that includes interactions with cardiology, gastroenterology, neuro-urology, psychiatry and neuroradiology. The group is supported by grants from industry and competitive sources (US MSA coalition, International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, FWF-DACH, parkinsonfonds.nl).

Research Group Clinical Epidemiology
Leader: Assoz. Prof. Dr. Peter Willeit PhD

The Clinical Epidemiology research group oversees and analyses large-scale consortia (Proof-ATHERO: 90 studies, 150k participants) and individual studies (e.g. Bruneck Study, STROKE-CARD trial, School-SARS-CoV-2 Study – commonly known as the “Gurgel Study”), using cutting-edge methodology in epidemiology and data science.

Research Group Cognitive Neurology
Leaders: PD Dr. Atbin Djamshidian-Tehrani PhD, ao. Univ.-Prof. in Mag.a Dr.in Margarete Delazer

The Cognitive Neurology research group assesses decision-making, motor and cognitive impulsivity and the cognitive biomarkers that predict conversion to manifest disease in patients with a variety of neurological diseases, particularly those with neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease and dementia. In addition, the aim of the Cognitive Neurology research group encompasses the diagnostic processing, therapeutic management and research of patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment, following a highly interdisciplinary approach that includes interactions with the Movement Disorders, Neuropsychology, Computational Neuroscience and Sleep Medicine research groups in the Clinical Department of Neurology as well as with the departments of Neuroradiology, Psychiatry 1 and Nuclear Medicine at MUI.

Research Group Computational Neuroscience
Leader: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christoph Scherfler

The group develops and explores mathematical models of structural and functional image analysis for potential translation into the clinical routine. Its main focus is on neurodegenerative Parkinsonian disorders and was recently extended to include neurodegenerative dementia, sleep disorders, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours and intracranial bleeds. The research group is supported by grants from competitive sources, industry and non-profit research collaborations (EU, HRSM, AWS).

Fig. 1: Diagnostic potential of automated tractography in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) variants: Visualisation of white matter tracts as reconstructed by TRACULA and rendered on a 3D T1-weighted MRI of a healthy participant (left), a PSP-P (middle) and a PSP-RS (right) patient. Reprinted from the publication “Potrusil-T et al., Parkinsonism and Related Disorders 2020 Mar;72:65-71, doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.02.007. (Fig. 1.) ”, with permission from Elsevier

Research Group Epileptology
Leaders: ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerhard Luef, PD in Dr. in Iris Unterberger

The Epileptology research group broadly addresses the field of epileptology and its principal focuses are on the treatment of medical refractory epilepsies, presurgical diagnosis and the effectiveness and side effects of anti-epileptic drugs, with special consideration of the endocrine system. We lead the national coordination of the European registry of anti-epileptic drugs during pregnancy (EURAP) (main office in Milan, Italy; Head: Tomson T, Karolinska-Institute, Stockholm, Sweden).

Research Group Experimental Neurology
Leader: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Markus Reindl

The Experimental Neurology research group investigates the pathophysiology of neurological autoimmune diseases, with a specific focus on the characterisation of autoantibodies and autoreactive T-cells, in close collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology research group. Our research is supported by the FWF, FFG, other competitive funders and industry.


Fig.2: Cell-based assay for the detection of autoantibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Left: Binding of human serum autoantibodies (red). Right: Co-localisation of bound antibodies (red) and MOG expression in human cells (green). This assay system established at the neurological research laboratory is now used as an international method of reference (Reindl et al, Neurology Neurimmunol Neuroinflamm 2020).

Research Group Headache
Leader: Assoz. Prof. Dr. Gregor Brössner

The core competence of the Headache research group includes the development of novel human migraine models, neuroimaging to investigate the pathophysiology of migraine, and conducting clinical trials in the field of primary headache disorders. The Headache research group is supported by funding from industry and competitive sources (ÖAW, MUI Start).

Research Group Movement Disorders
Leaders: Univ-. Prof. Dr. Klaus Seppi, PD in Dr. in Sylvia Bösch MSc, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gregor K. Wenning MSc

The core competences of the Movement Disorders research group include clinical trial methodology and novel therapies, biomarker research, the development of clinical rating scales, and neuroimaging, with a particular focus on magnetic resonance imaging. The group is supported by grants from industry and competitive sources (Michael J. Fox Foundation, International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society, ÖPG, ÖGN, FWF, ÖNB, EU: FP8 and Horizon 2020, CHDI foundation, MSA Coalition, TWF, ERN-RND, and grants from ataxia foundations within EUROSCA or EFACTS). The national Centre for Rare Movement Disorders in Innsbruck (CRMDI, Lead: Sylvia Bösch) is an associate member of the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND) and aims to tackle complex or rare diseases that require highly specialised, multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic knowledge and resources.

Research Group Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology
Leaders: ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Florian Deisenhammer MSc, Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Markus Reindl

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuroimmunology research group works on biomarkers for inflammatory demyelinating diseases, focusing on treatment monitoring by investigating anti-drug antibodies as well as diagnostic aspects using new applications of cerebrospinal fluid analyses. Clinically, there is a strong focus on non-pharmacological interventions through physiotherapy and on long-term outcomes in elderly MS patients.

Research Group Neurocritical Care and Infectious Diseases of the Nervous System
Leaders: PD in Dr. in Bettina Pfausler, Assoz. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Ronny Beer, PD Dr. Raimund Helbok

The group focuses on both clinical and translational research related to the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical as well as therapeutic aspects of life-threatening diseases of the CNS, PNS and neuromuscular system. The research group is among the leading centres in the fields of traumatic brain injury, haemorrhagic stroke, post-cardiac arrest encephalopathy, status epilepticus and (neuro-) infectious diseases. The group is supported by grants from industry and competitive sources (FWF, ÖNB, EU/CENTER-TBI, NIH/NINDS and NCS – Curing Coma Campaign, EAN/GCS-NeuroCOVID).

Research Group Neuromuscular Disorders
Leaders: ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Löscher, PDin Dr. in Julia Wanschitz

The core competence of the Neuromuscular Disorders research group includes morphological studies of muscle and skin innervation in inflammatory myopathies and small fibre neuropathies, clinical research and the investigation of genotype-phenotype correlations.

Research Group Neurooncology
Leaders: ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Günther Stockhammer, PD in Dr. in Martha Nowosielski PhD

Neuro-oncology is a multidisciplinary subspeciality in neuroscience, which deals with primary tumours of the nervous system, tumours that are metastatic to the nervous system and non-metastatic neurologic complications of systemic cancer. Our research focus is on the development of targeted treatments and immunotherapies for brain tumours, with a special emphasis on molecular imaging using novel magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography techniques.

Research Group Neuropsychology
Leaders: ao. Univ.-Prof. in Mag. a Dr. in Margarete Delazer, PD in Dr. in Laura Zamarian PhD

The research group focuses on the neuropsychological consequences of neurological diseases as well as on the elucidation of neurological mechanisms that support cognition. Main topics of the group include decision processes in neurological disease and healthy ageing, the neurological implementation of numerical processing and the role of cognitive reserve.

Research Group Sleep Medicine
Leader: Univ.-Prof. in Dr. in Birgit Högl

The core competence of the Sleep Medicine research group lies in neurological sleep disorders and particularly in isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder and its prodromal phase, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy, with a focus on pathophysiology, biomarkers, novel diagnostic methodology and artificial intelligence. The group participates in international guideline development and has a consolidated collaboration with international centres including Stanford University, Harvard University, McGill University, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona and the Technical University of Munich. Prof. Högl is President of the World Sleep Society.

Research Group Stroke
Leaders: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Kiechl, Assoz. Prof. Dr. Michael Knoflach

The research competences of the Stroke research group include acute stroke therapy, post-stroke disease management, stroke rehabilitation, cervical artery dissection, vascular biology and ageing, and atherosclerosis research including mechanisms of early vascular ageing in the young. Funding is provided by the FFG (COMET Centre and K-Project VASCage), FWF, Standortagentur Tyrol, Reformpool, BHF, MRC, NRC, Diabetes UK, Leducq and others. The group operates a number of epidemiological studies (EVA, EVA4YOU, STROKE-CARD, STROKE-CARD Registry, Bruneck Study and ARFY) and contributes significantly to large research consortia such as ERFC, GBD and NCD.


Fig. 3: The Stroke Card trial is the first large-scale, post-stroke disease management RCT to have successfully reduced the risk of recurrent cardiovascular disease and stroke and to have improved functional outcome and quality of life.

Research Group Translational Neurodegeneration Research
Leader: Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Nadia Stefanova PhD DSc

The Translational Neurodegeneration research group aims to advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration in MSA and Parkinson’s disease and to provide preclinical screening and target validation for disease modification in α-synucleinopathies. The group is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), EU, MSA Coalition and industry grants.

Selected Publications

Division of Neurobiology

  • Venezia S, Refolo V, Polissidis A, Stefanis L, Wenning GK, Stefanova N: Toll-like receptor 4 stimulation with monophosphoryl lipid A ameliorates motor deficits and nigral neurodegeneration triggered by extraneuronal α-synucleinopathy. MOL NEURODEGNER: 2017;12(1):52.
  • Shadrin AA, Mucha S, Ellinghaus D, Makarious MB, Blauwendraat C, Sreelatha AAK, Heras-Garvin A, Ding J, Hammer M, Foubert-Samier A, Meissner WG, Rascol O, Pavy-Le Traon A, Frei O, O'Connell KS, Bahrami S, Schreiber S, Lieb W, Müller-Nurasyid M, Schminke U, Homuth G, Schmidt CO, Nöthen MM, Hoffmann P, Gieger C, Wenning G; European Multiple System Atrophy Study Group, Gibbs JR, Franke A, Hardy J, Stefanova N, Gasser T, Singleton A, Houlden H, Scholz SW, Andreassen OA, Sharma M. Shared: Genetics of Multiple System Atrophy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. MOVEMENT DISORDERS: 2020: Oct 27. doi: 10.1002/mds.28338.
  • Herrera-Vaquero M, Heras-Garvin A, Krismer F, Deleanu R, Boesch S, Wenning GK, Stefanova N: Signs of early cellular dysfunction in multiple system atrophy. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY: 2020; Sep 6. doi: 10.1111/nan.12661.

Research Group Autonomic Unit

  • Levin J, Maaß S, Schuberth M, Giese A, Oertel WH, Poewe W, Trenkwalder C, Wenning GK, Mansmann U, Südmeyer M, Eggert K, Mollenhauer B, Lipp A, Löhle M, Classen J, Münchau A, Kassubek J, Gandor F, Berg D, Egert-Schwinder S, Eberhardt C, Paul F, Bötzel K, Ertl-Wagner B, Huppertz HJ, Ricard I, Höglinger GU; PROMESA Study Group: Safety and efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate in multiple system atrophy (PROMESA): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. LANCET NEUROLGY: 2019;18(8):724-735.
  • Brignole M, Moya A, de Lange FJ, Deharo JC, Elliott PM, Fanciulli A, Fedorowski A, Furlan R, Kenny RA, Martín A, Probst V, Reed MJ, Rice CP, Sutton R, Ungar A, van Dijk JG; ESC Scientific Document Group: ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope. EUR HEART J.: 2018;39(21):1883-1948.
  • Brignole M, Moya A, de Lange FJ, Deharo JC, Elliott PM, Fanciulli A, Fedorowski A, Furlan R, Kenny RA, Martín A, Probst V, Reed MJ, Rice CP, Sutton R, Ungar A, van Dijk JG; ESC Scientific Document Group: Practical Instructions for the 2018 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope. EUR HEART J.: 2018;39(21):e43-e80.

Research Group Clinical Epidemiology

  • Willeit P, Tschiderer L, Allara E, Reuber K, Seekircher L, Gao L, Liao X, Lonn E, Gerstein HC, Yusuf S, Brouwers FP, Asselbergs FW, van Gilst W, Anderssen SA, Grobbee DE, Kastelein JJP, Visseren FLJ, Ntaios G, Hatzitolios AI, Savopoulos C, Nieuwkerk PT, Stroes E, Walters M, Higgins P, Dawson J, Gresele P, Guglielmini G, Migliacci R, Ezhov M, Safarova M, Balakhonova T, Sato E, Amaha M, Nakamura T, Kapellas K, Jamieson LM, Skilton M, Blumenthal JA, Hinderliter A, Sherwood A, Smith PJ, van Agtmael MA, Reiss P, van Vonderen MGA, Kiechl S, Klingenschmid G, Sitzer M, Stehouwer CDA, Uthoff H, Zou ZY, Cunha AR, Neves MF, Witham MD, Park HW, Lee MS, Bae JH, Bernal E, Wachtell K, Kjeldsen SE, Olsen MH, Preiss D, Sattar N, Beishuizen E, Huisman MV, Espeland MA, Schmidt C, Agewall S, Ok E, Aşçi G, de Groot E, Grooteman MPC, Blankestijn PJ, Bots ML, Sweeting MJ, Thompson SG, Lorenz MW: Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression as Surrogate Marker for Cardiovascular Risk: Meta-Analysis of 119 Clinical Trials Involving 100 667 Patients. CIRCULATION. 2020;142(7):621-642.
  • Willeit P, Toell T, Boehme C, Krebs S, Mayer L, Lang C, Seekircher L, Tschiderer L, Willeit K, Rumpold G, Schoenherr G, Griesmacher A, Ferrari J, Knoflach M, Lang W, Kiechl S, Willeit J: STROKE-CARD care to prevent cardiovascular events and improve quality of life after acute ischaemic stroke or TIA: A randomised clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2020 Jul 28;25:100476. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100476
  • Klingenschmid G, Tschiderer L, Himmler G, Rungger G, Brugger S, Santer P, Willeit J, Kiechl S, Willeit P: Associations of Serum Dickkopf-1 and Sclerostin With Cardiovascular Events: Results From the Prospective Bruneck Study. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. 2020;9(6):e014816. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.119.014816

Research Group Cognitive Neurology

  • Barbosa P, Kaski D, Castro P, Lees AJ, Warner TT, Djamshidian A, Saccadic: Direction Errors are Associated with Impulsive Compulsive Behaviours in Parkinson's Disease Patients. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASES: 2019; 9(3):625-630.
  • Ellmerer P, Heim B, Stefani A, Peball M, Werkmann M, Holzknecht E, Bergmann M, Brandauer E, Sojer M, Zamarian L, Delazer M, Seppi K, Högl B, Poewe W, Djamshidian A: Augmentation in restless legs syndrome: an eye tracking study on emotion processing. ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROLOGY: 2020;7(9):1620-7.
  • Ellmerer P, Stefani A, Heim B, Bergmann M, Seppi K, Poewe W, Högl B, Djamshidian A: The Frontal Assessment Battery in RLS patients with and without augmentation. SLEEP MEDICINE: 2020;75:456-458.

Research Group Computational Neuroscience

  • Krismer F, Seppi K, Göbel G, Steiger R, Zucal I, Boesch S, Gizewski ER, Wenning GK, Poewe W, Scherfler C: Morphometric MRI profiles of multiple systematrophy variants and implications for differential diagnosis. MOVEMENT DISORDERS: 2019; 34(7):1041-1048.
  • Stefani A, Mitterling T, Heidbreder A, Steiger R, Kremser C, Frauscher B, Gizewski ER, Poewe W, Högl B, Scherfler C: Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging reveals alterations of sensorimotor circuits in restless legs syndrome. SLEEP MEDICINE: 2019;42(12):zsz171. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsz171.
  • Bsteh G, Steiger R, Tuovinen N, Hegen H, Berek K, Wurth S, Auer M, Di Pauli F, Gizewski ER, Deisenhammer F, Berger T, Scherfler C: Impairment of odor discrimination and identification is associated with disability progression and gray matter atrophy of the olfactory system in MS. MULTIPLE SKLEROSIS JOURNAL: 2020; 26(6):706-715.

Research Group Epileptology

  • Javor A, Zamarian L, Ransmayr G, Prieschl M, Bergmann M, Walser G, Luef G, Prokop W, Delazer M, Unterberger I: The role of cortisol in trust behavior: Results from an experimental study on healthy controls and patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR: 2020 Sep; 110:107138. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.10713.
  • Rauchenzauner M, Deichmann S, Pittschieler S, Bergmann M, Prieschl M, Unterberger I, Rösing B, Seger C, Moser C, Wildt L, Luef G: Bidirectional interaction between oral contraception and lamotrigine in women with epilepsy - Role of progestins. Seizure. 2020; 74:89-92. doi: 10.1016
  • Unterberger I, Kaplan PW, Luef G, Trinka E, Walser G, Bauer G: Repetitive miniature spikes - An underreported EEG pattern. CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY: 2020; 131(1):40-45.

Research Group Experimental Neurology

  • Reindl M, Schanda K, Woodhall M, Tea F, Ramanathan S, Sagen J, Fryer JP, Mills J, Teegen B, Mindorf S, Ritter N, Krummei U, Stöcker W, Eggert J, Flanagan EP, Ramberger M, Hegen H, Rostasy K, Berger T, Leite MI, Palace J, Irani SR, Dale RC, Probst C, Probst M, Brilot F, Pittock SJ, Waters P: International multicenter examination of MOG antibody assays. NEUROLOGY NEUROIMMUNOLOGY AND NEUROINFLAMMATION: 2020;7(2). doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000674.
  • Reindl M, Waters P: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies in neurological disease. NATURE REVIEW NEUROLOGY: 2019; 15(2):89-102.
  • Hofer LS, Ramberger M, Gredler V, Pescoller AS Rostásy K, Sospedra M, Hegen H, Berger T, Lutterotti A, Reindl M: Comparative Analysis of T-Cell Responses to Aquaporin-4 and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein in Inflammatory Demyelinating Central Nervous System Diseases. FRONTIERS IMMUNOLOGY: 2020; 11:1188. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01188.

Research Group Headache

  • Broessner G, Reuter U, Bonner JH, Dodick DW, Hallström Y, Picard H, Zhang F, Lenz RA, Klatt J, Mikol DD: The Spectrum of Response to Erenumab in Patients With Episodic Migraine and Subgroup Analysis of Patients Achieving ≥50%, ≥75%, and 100% Response. HEADACHE: 2020;60(9): 2026-2040.
  • Frank F, Faulhaber M, Messlinger K, Accinelli C, Peball M, Schiefecker A, Kaltseis K, Burtscher M, Broessner G: Migraine and aura triggered by normobaric hypoxia. CEPHALALGIA: 2020; Aug 13:333102420949202. doi: 10.1177/0333102420949202.
  • Goadsby PJ, Reuter U, Hallström Y, Broessner G, Bonner JH, Zhang F, Wright IK, Chou DE, Klatt J, Picard H, Lenz RA, Mikol DD: One-year sustained efficacy of erenumab in episodic migraine: Results of the STRIVE study. NEUROLOGY: 2020; 95(5):e469-e479.

Research Group Movement Disorders

  • Peball M, Krismer F, Knaus HG, Djamshidian A, Werkmann M, Carbone F, Ellmerer P, Heim B, Marini K, Valent D, Goebel G, Ulmer H, Stockner H, Wenning GK, Stolz R, Krejcy K, Poewe W, Seppi K, Collaborators of the Parkinson's Disease Working Group Innsbruck: Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease are Reduced by Nabilone. ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY: 2020; 88(4):712-722.
  • Indelicato E, Nachbauer W, Eigentler A, Amprosi M, Matteucci Gothe R, Giunti P, Mariotti C, Arpa J, Durr A, Klopstock T, Schöls L, Giordano I, Bürk K, Pandolfo M, Didszdun C, Schulz JB, Boesch S; EFACTS (European Friedreich’s Ataxia Consortium for Translational Studies): Onset features and time to diagnosis in Friedreich's Ataxia. ORPHANET JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES. 2020;15(1):198.
  • Marini K, Mahlknecht P, Tutzer F, Stockner H, Gasperi A, Djamshidian A, Willeit P, Kiechl S, Willeit J, Rungger G, Noyce AJ, Schrag A, Poewe W, Seppi K: Application of a Simple Parkinson's Disease Risk Score in a Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort. MOVEMENT DISORDERS: 2020; 35(9):1658-62.
  • Zech M, Jech R, Boesch S, Škorvánek M, Weber S, Wagner M, Zhao C, Jochim A, Necpál J, Dincer Y, Vill K, Distelmaier F, Stoklosa M, Krenn M, Grunwald S, Bock-Bierbaum T, Fečíková A, Havránková P, Roth J, Příhodová I, Adamovičová M, Ulmanová O, Bechyně K, Danhofer P, Veselý B, Haň V, Pavelekova P, Gdovinová Z, Mantel T, Meindl T, Sitzberger A, Schröder S, Blaschek A, Roser T, Bonfert MV, Haberlandt E, Plecko B, Leineweber B, Berweck S, Herberhold T, Langguth B, Švantnerová J, Minár M, Ramos-Rivera GA, Wojcik MH, Pajusalu S, Õunap K, Schatz UA, Pölsler L, Milenkovic I, Laccone F, Pilshofer V, Colombo R, Patzer S, Iuso A, Vera J, Troncoso M, Fang F, Prokisch H, Wilbert F, Eckenweiler M, Graf E, Westphal DS, Riedhammer KM, Brunet T, Alhaddad B, Berutti R, Strom TM, Hecht M, Baumann M, Wolf M, Telegrafi A, Person RE, Zamora FM, Henderson LB, Weise D, Musacchio T, Volkmann J, Szuto A, Becker J, Cremer K, Sycha T, Zimprich F, Kraus V, Makowski C, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Bardakjian TM, Ozelius LJ, Vetro A, Guerrini R, Maier E, Borggraefe I, Kuster A, Wortmann SB, Hackenberg A, Steinfeld R, Assmann B, Staufner C, Opladen T, Růžička E, Cohn RD, Dyment D, Chung WK, Engels H, Ceballos-Baumann A, Ploski R, Daumke O, Haslinger B, Mall V, Oexle K, Winkelmann J: Monogenic variants in dystonia: an exome-wide sequencing study. LANCET NEUROLOGY. 2020; 19(11):908-918.

Research Group Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology

  • Cassotta A, Mikol V, Bertrand T, Pouzieux S, Le Parc J, Ferrari P, Dumas J, Auer M, Deisenhammer F, Gastaldi M, Franciotta D, Silacci-Fregni C, Fernandez Rodriguez B, Giacchetto-Sasselli I, Foglierini M, Jarrossay D, Geiger R, Sallusto F, Lanzavecchia A, Piccoli L: A single T cell epitope drives the neutralizing anti-drug antibody response to natalizumab in multiple sclerosis patients. NATURE MEDICINE: 2019; 25, 1402-1407.
  • Hegen H, Walde J, Milosavljevic D, Aboulenein-Djamshidian F, Senel M, Tumani H, Deisenhammer F, Presslauer S: Free light chains in the cerebrospinal fluid. Comparison of different methods to determine intrathecal synthesis. CLIN CHEM LAB MED: 2019; 57, 1574-1586.
  • Seebacher, B., Mills, R. J., Reindl, M., Zamarian, L., Kuisma, R., Kircher, S., Brenneis, C., Ehling, R., & Deisenhammer F: German translation, cultural adaption and validation of the unidimensional self-efficacy scale for multiple sclerosis: a study protocol. BMJ OPEN: 2019; 9, e029565.

Research Group Neurocritical Care and Infectious Diseases of the Nervous System

  • Helbok R, Chou SH, Beghi E, Mainali S, Frontera J, Robertson C, Fink E, Schober M, Moro E, McNett M, Bassetti CL: GCS-NeuroCOVID consortium; EAN COVID task force. NeuroCOVID: it's time to join forces globally. LANCET NEUROLOGY: 2020; 19(10):805-806.
  • Huijben JA, Wiegers EJA, Lingsma HF, Citerio G, Maas AIR, Menon DK, Ercole A, Nelson D, van der Jagt M, Steyerberg EW, Helbok R, Lecky F, Peul W, Birg T, Zoerle T, Carbonara M, Stocchetti N: CENTER-TBI investigators and participants. Changing care pathways and between-center practice variations in intensive care for traumatic brain injury across Europe: a CENTER-TBI analysis. INTENSIVE CARE MEDINE: 2020;46(5):995-1004.
  • Rass V, Ianosi BA, Wegmann A, Gaasch M, Schiefecker AJ, Kofler M, Lindner A, Addis A, Almashad SS, Rhomberg P, Pfausler B, Beer R, Gizewski ER, Thomé C, Helbok R: Delayed resolution of cerebral edema is associated with poor outcome after nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. STROKE: 2019;50(4):828-836.

Research Group Neuromuscular Disorders

Research Group Neurooncology

Research Group Neuropsychology

  • Delazer M., Lenhart L., Zamarian L., Nagele M., Gizewski E. R., Benke T., Scherfler C: Cognitive reserve does not support the retrieval of well-known proper names in older people. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY: 2020; Epub 2020 Apr 30. doi: 10.1037/neu0000639.
  • Zamarian L., Lenhart L., Nagele M., Steiger R., Gizewski E. R., Benke T., Scherfler C., Delazer M: Effects of Cognitive Functioning and Education on Later-Life Health Numeracy. GERONTOLOGY: 2020; Sep 25: 1-11. doi: 10.1159/000510092.
  • Delazer M., Zamarian L., Benke T., Wagner M., Gizewski E. R., Scherfler, C: Is an intact hippocampus necessary for answering 3× 3?–Evidence from Alzheimer’s disease. BRAIN AND COGNITION: 2019; 134, 1-8.

Research Group Sleep Medicine

  • Waser M, Stefani A, Holzknecht E, Kohn B, Hackner H, Brandauer E, Bergmann M, Taupe P, Gall M, Garn H, Högl B: Automated 3D video analysis of lower limb movements during REM sleep: a new diagnostic tool for isolated REM sleep behavior disorder. SLEEP: 2020; Nov 12;43(11):zsaa100. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa100.
  • Stefani A, Mitterling T, Heidbreder A, Steiger R, Kremser C, Frauscher B, Gizewski ER, Poewe W, Högl B, Scherfler C: Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging reveals alterations of sensorimotor circuits in restless legs syndrome. SLEEP: 2019; 42(12):zsz171. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsz171.
  • Krohn L, Wu RYJ, Heilbron K, Ruskey JA, Laurent SB, Blauwendraat C, Alam A, Arnulf I, Hu MTM, Dauvilliers Y, Högl B, Toft M, Bjørnarå KA, Stefani A, Holzknecht E, Monaca CC, Abril B, Plazzi G, Antelmi E, Ferini-Strambi L, Young P, Heidbreder A, Cochen De Cock V, Mollenhauer B, Sixel-Döring F, Trenkwalder C, Sonka K, Kemlink D, Figorilli M, Puligheddu M, Dijkstra F, Viaene M, Oertel W, Toffoli M, Gigli GL, Valente M, Gagnon JF, Nalls MA, Singleton AB; 23andMe Research Team, Desautels A, Montplaisir JY, Cannon P, Ross OA, Boeve BF, Dupré N, Fon EA, Postuma RB, Pihlstrøm L, Rouleau GA, Gan-Or Z: Fine-Mapping of SNCA in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder and Overt Synucleinopathies. ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY: 2020; 87(4):584-598.

Research Group Stroke

  • Willeit P, Toell T, Boehme C, Krebs S, Mayer L, Lang C, Seekircher L, Tschiderer L, Willeit K, Rumpold G, Schoenherr G, Griesmacher A, Ferrari J, Knoflach M, Lang W, Kiechl S, Willeit J; STROKE-CARD study group: STROKE-CARD care to prevent cardiovascular events and improve quality of life after acute ischaemic stroke or TIA: A randomised clinical trial. ECLINICALMEDICINE: 2020; 25:100476.
  • Mayer L, Pechlaner R, Barallobre-Barreiro J, Boehme C, Toell T, Lynch M, Yin X, Willeit J, Gizewski ER, Perco P, Ratzinger G, Kiechl S, Mayr M, Knoflach M: Extracellular matrix protein signature of recurrent spontaneous cervical artery dissection. NEUROLOGY: 2020; 95(15):e2047-e2055
  • Boehme C, Toell T, Mayer L, Domig L, Pechlaner R, Willeit K, Tschiderer L, Seekircher L, Willeit P, Griesmacher A, Knoflach M, Willeit J, Kiechl S: The dimension of preventable stroke in a large representative patient cohort. NEUROLOGY: 2019; 93(23):e2121-e2132.
  • Lu Y, Pechlaner R, Cai J, Yuan H, Huang Z, Yang G, Wang J, Chen Z, Kiechl S, Xu Q: Lifetime age-trajectories of arterial stiffness in Chinese women and men. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY 2010; 75:870-880.

Research Group Translational Neurodegeneration Research

  • Lemos M, Venezia S, Refolo V, Heras-Garvin A, Schmidhuber S, Giese A, Leonov A, Ryazanov S, Griesinger C, Galabova G, Staffler G, Wenning GK, Stefanova N: Targeting α-synuclein by PD03 AFFITOPE® and Anle138b rescues neurodegenerative pathology in a model of multiple system atrophy: clinical relevance. TRANSLATIONAL NEURODEGERNATION: 2020; 9(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s40035-020-00217-y.
  • Herrera-Vaquero M, Heras-Garvin A, Krismer F, Deleanu R, Boesch S, Wenning GK, Stefanova N: Signs of early cellular dysfunction in multiple system atrophy. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY: 2020; Sep 6. doi: 10.1111/nan.12661.
  • Heras-Garvin A, Weckbecker D, Ryazanov S, Leonov A, Griesinger C, Giese A, Wenning GK, Stefanova N: Anle138b modulates α-synuclein oligomerization and prevents motor decline and neurodegeneration in a mouse model of multiple system atrophy. MOVEMENT DISORDERS: 2019; 34(2):255-263.

Selection of Funding

  • FFG Comet K1 Centre VASCage (P 868624), Stefan Kiechl: Research Centre on Vascular Ageing and Stroke, 17.020.000 €
  • FWF stand alone project P 32699, Markus Reindl: Epitope specificity of MOG antibodies, 350.448 €
  • FWF stand alone project P 32488, Peter Willeit: Repeat cIMT measurement for predicting cardiovascular events, 390.358 €
  • FWF international project I 4891, Birgit Högl: Nocturnal periodic breathing at altitude: the consequences, 161.826 €
  • FWF international project I 4795, Gregor Wenning: Mobility in atypical parkinsonism: randomized trial of physiotherapy, 392.249 €
  • FWF Firnberg-Programm T 1253, Lena Tschiderer: Sex differences in atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae, 243.120 €
  • EU Innovative Medicines Initiative IMI2-RIA, project 853981-2, Klaus Seppi: IDEA-FAST, 353.125 €
  • Michael J. Fox Foundation Grant ID 1731, Klaus Seppi: MULTIMODAL MRI as a surrogate marker for prodromal PD, 406.888 USD
  • MUI start program MUI-2020-1-1, Martha Novolsieski: Radiomic profiling of brain metastases, 21.470 €
  • MSA coalition, Alessandra Fanciulli and Gregor Wenning: Abdominal binders for orthostatic hypotension in MSA: a RCT, 50.000 USD
  • Celgene International investigator initiated trial program, Barbara Sebacher: Effects of actual and imagined music-cued gait training on motor functioning and brain activity in people with multiple sclerosis: a multicentre study, 394.260 €

Collaborations

  • Prof. Dr. Horacio Kaufmann, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA (Division of Neurobiology, Research Group Autonomic Unit)
  • Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge (Research Group Clinical Epidemiology)
  • University College London, National Institute of Mental Health, London, UK (Research Group Cognitive Neurology)
  • Multiple researchers worldwide: Aligned and Standardized Neuroimaging Procedures in Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders (ASAP) Neuroimaging Initiative (Research Group Computational Neuroscience, Research Group Movement Disorders, Division of Neurobiology)
  • Multiple researchers in Europe: European registry of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy (EURAP) (Research Group Epileptology)
  • International expert panel for MOG antibody associated diseases (Research Group Experimental Neurology)
  • Prof. Dr. Arne May, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany (Research Group Headache)
  • Multiple researchers worldwide: MDS Evidence-Based Medicine project (Research Group Movement Disorders)
  • Multiple researchers in Europe: European Rare Disease Network for Rare Neurological Disease (ERN-RND) (Center for Rare Movement Disorders, Research Group Movement Disorders)
  • Multiple researchers in Europe within the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) (Research Group Neurocritical Care and Infectious Diseases of the Nervous System)
  • Volker Straub, John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (Research Group Neuromuscular Disorders)
  • University Clinic Heidelberg, Department of Neurooncology and Neuroradiology, Heidelberg, Germany (Research Group Neurooncology)
  • Prof. Carlo Semenza, University of Padova, Padova, Italy (Research Group Neuropsychology)
  • Prof. Dr. Alex Iranzo, Sleep Disorders Center, Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERNED, Barcelona, Spain (Research Group Sleep Medicine)
  • Prof. Manuel Mayr, King's British Heart Foundation Centre, King's College London, London, UK, the VASCage consortium, ERFC, NCD and others (Research Group Stroke)
  • Eliezer Masliah, National Institute on Aging (NIA), Division of Neuroscience, Bethesda, MD, USA (Research Group Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Division of Neurobiology)

Devices & Services

Scientific core services and own research facilities: Neuropsychology Unit, Neurological Research Laboratory, Neurological Study Centre, Computational Neuroscience, Clinical Epidemiology, and the Centre for Rare Movement Disorders in Innsbruck (CRMDI). Moreover, we contribute significantly to the core facility of Neuroimaging Research (CF-NIR) and the emerging Early Drug Development Unit.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. univ. Stefan Kiechl
Director
Contact:
Anichstraße 35
6020 Innsbruck
Austria
Email: stefan.kiechl@i-med.ac.at
Phone: +43 512 504 23850
Fax: +43 512 504 23852
www.i-med.ac.at/neurologie

Research Report