The junior research group “Emotional Modulation” is part of the "Affective Neuroscience and Emotional Modulation" (ANEM) research division. The group examines which neuron structures are involved in cognitive-emotional processes, how emotions, memory and language interact, and whether the identified neuron structures can be modified through external interventions. While the clinical research lab concentrates on the application of neuromodulation methods in therapy, the research group analyzes the interference of neuronal functions through pharmacological interventions and stimulation methods. The research emphasizes the use of transcranial magnet stimulation and direct current stimulation in a multi-methodological approach.

This research group investigates the role of the prefrontal cortex in tasks concerning emotional memories and the regulation of emotions. Relevant to the context of the cluster is the group’s interest in the phenomenon of “forgiveness”. Furthermore, the group participates in a cross-project network addressing questions of emotional regulation (Project "Verbalisation and Emotional Regulation"), empathy (Project "Neurobiology of Empathy in Narcissistic Personality Disorder") and modified emotion-memory-interaction in patients with an alexithymic characteristic (Project "BALI").

Publications

Heinzel, A., Northoff, G., Boeker, H., Boesiger, P., Grimm, S. (2010). Emotional processing and executive functions in major depressive disorder: dorsal prefrontal activity correlates with performance in the intra–extra dimensional set shift. Acta Neuropsychiatrica 22 (6). 269-279.