Part of the Neuroscience and Molecular Psychiatry research group and led by Professor Johannes Thome, this group aims to throw light on the interdependence of genes and behaviour using the methods and techniques of modern molecular neuroscience.

The group aims to better understand the mechanisms of the action of psychotropic drugs and to develop innovative treatment strategies by focusing research on the effects of psychopharmacological agents on trans-synaptic signalling, gene expression and neural plasticity.

The group also focuses on the cellular and molecular bases for the ability of these drugs to induce alterations in behaviour as well as Pharmacogenomics, where clinical work is designed to identify specific gene variants, which enables predictions regarding therapy response and possible side effects in individual patients.

Recognising the importance of humanistic aspects in psychiatry, the group supports interdisciplinary approaches that throw light on the theoretical framework of psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychopathology. By bridging bench and bedside research, the group attempts to gain comprehensive insights into the pathophysiology underlying severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, drug addiction and dementia. Thus, it seeks to improve the conditions of patients suffering from these devastating disorders.

Academic Staff
Professor Johannes Thome
Dr Alex Conner - Lecturer in Molecular Psychopharmacology
Dr Christian Kissling - Research Officer
Dr Regina Hunnerkopf - Postdoctoral Researcher

Clinical Research Staff
Dr Devendra Makesar - MSc Student
Dr Ramneesh Puri - MSc Student
Dr Soeren Raasch - Honorary Clinical Lecturer
Dr Prathap Reddy - Staff Grade
Dr Rehan Siddiquee - Honorary Research Associate
Dr Adeel Siddiqui - Specialist Registrar

Academic / Research Enquiries

MPhil / MD / PhD Enquiries

Publications
Donev R, Newall A, Thome J, Sheer D. A role for SC35 and hnRNPA1 in the determination of amyloid precursor protein isoforms. Mol Psychiatry. 2007

Reif A, Rosler M, Freitag CM, Schneider M, Eujen A, Kissling C, Wenzler D, Jacob CP, Retz-Junginger P, Thome J, Lesch KP, Retz W. Nature and Nurture Predispose to Violent Behaviour: Serotonergic Genes and Adverse Childhood Environment. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2007

Zink M, Vollmayr B, Gebicke-Haerter PJ, Henn FA, Thome J Reduced expression of complexins I and II in rats bred for learned helplessness. Brain Res. 2007

Schneider M, Retz W, Coogan A, Thome J, Rosler M Anatomical and functional brain imaging in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - A neurological view. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 256 Suppl 1:i32-i41.2006

Rosler M, Retz W, Thome J, Schneider M, Stieglitz RD, Falkai P Psychopathological rating scales for diagnostic use in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 256 Suppl 1:i32-i11.2006

Thome J, Egeler C Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) in a patient with a pain syndrome previously assumed to be of psychiatric origin. World J Biol Psychiatry. 7:116-118. 2006

Tucha O, Mecklinger L, Thome J, Reiter A, Alders GL, Sartor H, Naumann M, Lange KW Kinematic analysis of dopaminergic effects on skilled handwriting movements in Parkinson's disease. J Neural Transm. 113:609-623. 2006

Zink M, Rapp S, Gebicke-Haerter PJ, Henn FA, Thome J Antidepressants differentially affect expression of complexin I and II RNA in rat hippocampus. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 181:560-565. 2005

Rosler M, Retz W, Retz-Junginger P, Hengesch G, Schneider M, Supprian T, Schwitzgebel T, Pinhard K, Dovi-Akue N, Wender P, Thome J Prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disorders in young male prison inmates. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 254:365-371. 2004

Rosler M, Retz W, Retz-Junjinger P, Thome J, Supprian T, Nissen T, Stieglitz RD, Blocher D, Hengesch G, Trott GE [Tools for the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults. Self-rating behaviour questionnaire and diagnostic checklist]. Nervenarzt. 75:888-895. 2004

Durany N, Thome J Neurotrophic factors and the pathophysiology of schizophrenic psychoses. Eur Psychiatry. 19:326-337. 2004

Michel TM, Thome J, Martin D, Nara K, Zwerina S, Tatschner T, Weijers HG, Koutsilieri E Cu, Zn-and Mn-superoxide dismutase levels in brains of patients with schizophrenia psychosis. J Neural Transm. 111:1191-1201. 2004

Rapp S, Baader M, Hu M, Jennen-Steinmetz C, Henn FA, Thome J Differential regulation of synaptic vesicle proteins by antidepressant drugs. Pharmacogenomics Journal 4: 110-113 2004.

Zink M, Knopf U, Henn FA, Thome J Combination of clozapine and amisulpride in treatment-resistant schizophrenia – case reports and review of the literature. Pharmacopsychiatry 37: 26-31 2004.

Retz W, Rösler M, Supprian T, Retz-Junginger P, Thome J Dopamine D3 receptor gene polymorphism and violent behavior: relation to impulsiveness and ADHD-related psychopathology. Journal of Neural Transmission 110: 561-572 2003.

Newton SS, Thome J, Wallace TL, Shirayama Y, Schlesinger L, Sakai N, Chen J, Neve R, Nestler EJ, Duman RS. Inhibition of cAMP response element-binding protein or dynorphin in the nucleus accumbens produces an antidepressant-like effect. Journal of Neuroscience 22: 10883-10890 2002.

Sakai N, Thome J, Newton SS, Chen J, Kelz MB, Steffen C, Nestler EJ, Duman RS. Inducible and brain region specific CREB transgenic mice. Molecular Pharmacology 61: 1453-1464 2002.

Thome J, Henn FA, Duman RS. Cyclic AMP response element-binding protein and depression. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics 2: 347-354 2002.

Thome J, Pesold B, Baader M, Hu M, Gewirtz JC, Duman RS, Henn FA. Stress differentially regulates synaptophysin and synaptotagmin expression in hippocampus. Biological Psychiatry 50: 809-812 2001.

Thome J, Retz W, Baader M, Pesold B, Hu M, Cowen M, Durany N, Adler G, Henn FA, Rösler M. Association analysis of HTR6 and HTR2A polymorphisms in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Neural Transmission 108: 1175-1180 2001.

Durany N, Michel T, Zochling R, Boissi KW, Cruz-Sánchez FF, Riederer P, Thome J. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin 3 in schizophrenic psychoses. Schizophrenia Research 52: 79-86 2001.

Carlezon WA, Thome J, Olson VG, Lane SB, Brodkin ES, Hiroi N, Duman RS, Neve RL, Nestler EJ. Regulation of cocaine reward by CREB. Science 282: 2272-2275 1998.

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