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Institute of Neuropathology

The Institute

The Institute of Neuropathology is part of the Diagnostics Center and deals with the diagnosis of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system and the muscles. We also do research on the fundamental mechanisms of neurodegeneration and the pathogenesis of brain tumours.
Our Institute is accredited as an inspection center according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020.

Primary Fields of Interest

 The Institute of Neuropathology uses the following study methods:

• Histological and cytological staining of cells
• Preparation of frozen and paraffin-embedded material (including  gross sections)
• Histochemical and enzyme histochemical staining incl. special staining for muscle biopsies
• Immunohistochemical staining
• Electron microscopy
• Protein biochemistry and molecular biology methods

In cooperation with the Institute of Forensic Medicine the Forensic Neuropathology Unit works on topics relating to forensic medicine.

Research

In the Institute of Neuropathology there are three main areas of research:  

• Research on neurodegenerative diseases caused by pathological protein deposits in the brain (prion diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies),
• Neurooncology (genetic modifications and immunobiology of brain tumors, neurofibromatosis)
• Stem cell research

The Institute of Neuropathology is part of the “Neuronal Protein Turnover“ research group (spokesperson: Prof. Markus Glatzel) and the Post-Graduate Study Program 1459 “Sorting and Interaction of Proteins of Subcellular Compartments”.
Experimental topics for doctoral theses are assigned to interested medical students, which will required at least nine months to complete working fulltime and at least one year when done parallel to medical school (including semester vacations and one free study block). 

Teaching and Continuing Education

The Institute of Neuropathology is involved in teaching in the first clinical section of the medical school curriculum in the “Head” block with POL teaching (two groups), in bedside instruction and elective courses as well as in the interdisciplinary lecture. In addition, it offers laboratory courses in molecular biological and histological methods. As part of the quality circle of the North German neuropathology Institutes, the Institute of Neuropathology organizes a section seminar with lectures twice a year and prepares joint expert opinions for interesting cases.

Facts and Figures

• Every year approximately 1500 biopsies, 200 muscle biopsies, 50 nerve biopsies and 100 cerebral fluid samples are evaluated.
• Every year approximately 400 autopsies of brain tissue are performed.
• Every year more than 50 expert opinions are written for forensic medicine cases in the Forensic Neuropathology Unit.

Institute Statistics

Six medical doctors, four scientists and six medical technicians as well as ten doctoral students currently work in the Institute.