SASLAB · Research
Our research
We study biological variation and clinical trajectories using complementary methods. Open a topic to read more.
Immunopsychiatry and metabolismHow are peripheral immune processes, metabolism and brain function connected?
We study innate immune responses in schizophrenia and depressive disorders, with a focus on neutrophils and monocytes, their function and energy metabolism. Clinical follow-up provides the context for interpreting these findings.
A related focus concerns possible links with the intestinal, blood–brain and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barriers. These distinct interfaces require appropriate laboratory and imaging approaches. Physical health, medication, smoking and metabolic factors are considered in interpretation.
Our recent study of peripheral immune-cell bioenergetics found increased glycolytic ATP production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in acutely ill, antipsychotic-naive people with schizophrenia. Glycolytic ATP production was lower in stably treated participants. These findings reveal altered cellular energy metabolism, although this comparison cannot separate illness-state from treatment effects.
Autoimmune psychosis and CSF diagnosticsWhen might psychotic symptoms indicate an immune-mediated disorder?
Psychotic symptoms can occur in autoimmune encephalitis. Our research examines neuronal antibodies and their relevance to the differential diagnosis of psychotic disorders. Interpretation integrates the clinical course, neurological findings, and results from CSF, blood, EEG and brain imaging. A positive blood antibody finding alone does not establish an autoimmune cause.
Our contributions include the JAMA Psychiatry study of NMDA receptor antibodies (2013) and participation in the international consensus on autoimmune psychosis in The Lancet Psychiatry (2020). These studies connect biological findings with clinical interpretation.
A current focus is CSF diagnostics in psychiatry. Johann Steiner contributes to an invited two-part article series on CSF biology and diagnostic methods, and on international consensus-based recommendations for clinical practice. This work addresses the indications for CSF testing and the clinical interpretation of findings, and incorporates perspectives from patients and relatives. The manuscripts are in preparation or under review and have not yet been published.
Biomarkers and clinical trajectoriesWhich measures describe biological variation and potential predictive value?
We investigate candidate blood and CSF markers of neuroaxonal, glial, immune and metabolic processes. These include neurofilament light chain (NfL), IGFBP2 and astrocyte-associated proteins. Baseline levels and longitudinal changes are examined in relation to clinical features.
Ongoing NfL/IGFBP2 work asks whether considering these markers together adds information about clinical trajectories. IGFBP2 is a biologically interesting candidate; its blood concentration alone does not demonstrate protection or regeneration.
We assess whether biomarkers add information beyond clinical measures by comparing appropriate models and reference groups. Predictive value must also be confirmed in independent data. Our review on validated biological subgroups outlines this approach.
Further work examines oxidative and metabolic changes and alcohol markers such as phosphatidylethanol (PEth) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) during clinical follow-up.
Glial research and digital neuropathologyWhat can cell distribution, marker expression and morphology reveal in human brain tissue?
The Magdeburg brain collection supports post-mortem studies in schizophrenia and mood disorders alongside comparison tissue. We combine immunohistochemistry with quantitative digital image analysis.
Current work examines TMEM119-positive and HLA-DR-positive microglia, regional and hemispheric variation, and cellular morphology. These markers reflect different aspects of cell biology and are interpreted alongside brain region, clinical history and complementary findings.
Our systematic review of microglia and the kynurenine pathway places different research methods in context across the affective–psychosis spectrum. Further collaborations address perivascular macrophages, neurotrophic signalling and epigenetics in post-mortem tissue.
Extracellular matrix and molecular interfacesHow can findings from blood, CSF and brain tissue be connected?
Brevican is a component of the extracellular matrix in the nervous system. An ongoing collaborative project examines serum measurements and paired CSF–serum measurements of brevican in schizophrenia.
Interpretation depends on the molecular forms detected by each assay. Blood concentrations cannot be equated directly with processes in the brain. Analyses therefore consider barrier-related measures, smoking and medication, among other factors.
Systematic reviews and meta-analysesHow robust and generalisable are findings across studies?
Systematic evidence synthesis complements our cohort studies. One example is the JAMA Psychiatry meta-analysis of blood leukocyte subpopulations in schizophrenia.
Ongoing projects compare peripheral immune-cell findings in major depression and schizophrenia and address related questions in bipolar disorder. They focus on absolute cell counts, illness phases, treatment exposure and between-study differences. Lithium exposure requires particular attention in bipolar disorder.
Group differences do not by themselves establish a diagnostic test. Transparent selection and analysis procedures, together with assessment of heterogeneity and potential bias, are central to this work.
Early detection and digital psychiatryCan clinical and multimodal data help identify early changes?
Psychosis early detection and intervention connect research with clinical care. Johann Steiner established this focus in Magdeburg. The FeTZ early detection and intervention centre provides specialised assessment, advice and support for adolescents and young adults, and information for relatives.
Magdeburg participated in CARE, which investigated computer-assisted risk assessment and risk-adapted treatment. Participation as a study centre is complete; FeTZ continues to provide clinical care.
In recurrent depression, ORAKEL investigates whether features from repeated audio and video recordings add information about impending relapse. These methods remain under scientific investigation and do not replace clinical assessment.