Platform
Middle Elbe: Experimental Medicine and Technology Interventions
TOGETHER INTO THE FUTURE
COGNITIVE VITALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF BRAIN, BODY AND ENVIRONMENT
Cognitive vitality is the ability to mobilise and use the brain's potential in everyday life. It is a prerequisite for a self-realised and independent life and is essentially determined by the interaction of mental resources, physical stressors and environmental factors. In order to understand which neuronal and physical mechanisms limit individual resources, reduce them in the case of illness and protect them from the negative effects of illness and stress factors, we are building an observation and intervention platform - the Middle Elbe Intervention Platform. The knowledge gained from this will be transferred both from basic research to care and from the platform to basic research.
In doing so, cognitive fluctuations and physical illnesses will be characterised through the high-frequency collection of health-relevant data and related to the presence of preclinical biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the focus is on determining network mechanisms of synaptic and glial plasticity and investigating the interplay of excitatory and inhibitory processes and their effects on cognitive vitality. You can find out exactly how we do this here:
Neuropsychology
Cognition and Lifestyle
Cognitive functions such as attention, memory, executive functions, language, as well as Patient Reported Outcome (PROs) measures to self-report characteristics of physical, mental, and social health, quality of life, and nutrition will be comprehensively characterized over two examination days using paper-pencil and digital procedures. We are particularly interested in how cognitive vitality develops in interaction with physical, cognitive, and environmental factors over many years, so these examinations will be annual.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Brain structure and function
The MRI examination is used to visualize and analyze brain structure and function. Our study centre is specialized on imaging and we have the expertise to detect brain changes at different scales using the latest technologies and high-resolution equipment. The duration of the MRI scan is approximately one hour. As this is a measurement in the context of a research question, special inclusion and exclusion criteria apply, which are queried in advance by the study team.
Biosamples
Biomaterial sampling
We will collect blood and stool samples to determine diagnostic markers and analyze relevant genetic variations. In this context, we will determine a large blood count, as well as inflammatory markers and biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases such as tau and beta-amyloid deposits as well as neurofilament (Nfl) and glial fiber protein (GFAP) in blood plasma. In addition, data on the immune system will be collected by analysis of peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Complementary to this, we would also like to investigate factors of gut (microbiome) and metabolism (metabolome) influence on cognitive vitality.
Publikationen
Entering into a self-regulated learning mode prevents detrimental effects of feedback removal on memory
NPJ Sci Learn (2023)Entering into a self-regulated learning mode prevents detrimental effects of feedback removal on memory
NPJ Sci Learn (2023)Entering into a self-regulated learning mode prevents detrimental effects of feedback removal on memory
NPJ Sci Learn (2023)Entering into a self-regulated learning mode prevents detrimental effects of feedback removal on memory
NPJ Sci Learn (2023)Entering into a self-regulated learning mode prevents detrimental effects of feedback removal on memory
NPJ Sci Learn (2023)Support our research
Become a study participant!
How do our brains, our bodies and our environment interact? How do physical illnesses affect our mental performance? And why are we more efficient on some days than others?
We would like to get to the bottom of these questions together with you. Register now and take part in exciting studies.
