Section Network Neuroscience

Head of section

• Prof. Dr. Andreas K. Engel
  Professor of Physiology
  Adjunct Professor of Psychology

• Yuchuan Dai Ph.D.
• Dr. Gerhard Engler
• Dr. Edgar Galindo-Leon
• Dr. Marina Gollmer (geb. Fiene)
• Dr. Jonas Misselhorn
• Dr. Florian Pieper
• Dr. Marcus Siems
• Dr. Sina Trautmann-Lengsfeld
• Dr. Peng Wang

• Friederike Axmann
• Rebecca Burke

• Dorrit Bystron

Research topics

The central focus of our research is the dynamics of brain networks which we address at multiple spatial and temporal scales using neurophysiological approaches in humans and animals (ferrets). Our key goal is to relate local neural dynamics (particularly oscillations) and dynamic coupling across neural populations to sensorimotor and cognitive functions. To this end, we study the temporal dynamics of neural activity and neural interactions in the context of sensory processing, multisensory and sensorimotor integration, emotion, memory, attention and consciousness. We also aim at testing hypotheses on causal mechanisms by modulation of networks and connectivity using transcranial electrical stimulation and optogenetics. Furthermore, we have a strong interest in the pathophysiological relevance of neural synchrony and change of large-scale coupling in brain disorders. In cooperation with clinical departments of the UKE, we investigate network changes in disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and autism.

Methods and techniques

• 275-channel MEG (see Magnetoencephalography Group)
• 128-channel EEG (see Cognitive and Clinical Neurophysiology Group)15
• High density multichannel electrophysiology of single units and neuronal populations (ECoG, silicon probes)
• Microstimulation
• Behavioral analysis
• Connectivity analysis
• Source modeling
• Histological staining methods
• Immunohistochemistry

• Brigitte Röder,
  University of Hamburg
• Jianwei Zhang,
  University of Hamburg
• Christoph Herrmann,
  University of Oldenburg
• Peter König,
  University of Osnabrück
• Ilka Diester,
  University of Freiburg
• Thomas Stieglitz,
  University of Freiburg
• Pascal Fries,
  Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen
• Danica Kragic,
  Kungliga Tekniska Hoegskolan, Stockholm, SE
• Paul Verschure,
  Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Alicante, Spain
• Rainer Goebel,
  University of Maastricht, NL
• Karl Friston,
  University College London, UK
• Shangkai Gao,
  Tsinghua University, Beijing, CN