Prof. Dr. Andreas Zwergal

Keywords: vestibular disorders, balance disorders, ocular motor disorders, movement disorders, translational research, systems neurology, sensorimotor control, lesion-induced neuroplasticity

Research methods: Basic and translational research: vestibular animal models, behavioural testing, in vivo whole-brain molecular imaging, histochemistry. Clinical research: neurophysiological methods (including videooculography, gait analysis, posturography, 3D-motion platform, EEG), real-space and VR-setups for spatial orientation research, multimodal imaging (magnetic resonance imaging - fMRI, VBM, DTI, connectome imaging; positron emission tomography - different radiotracers for neuronal activity, synaptic plasticity, glial activation, cell proliferation), AI-/deep learning methods, neuromodulatory techniques (TMS, noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation).

Brief research description: My research activity is committed to translational and clinical research on the pathophysiology and treatment of vestibular and sensorimotor disorders using a variety of methods from neurophysiology, neuropsychology and multimodal imaging both in vestibular animal models and patient cohorts with acute and chronic peripheral and central vestibulopathies. We combine these methods to understand the neuronal circuitry and molecular mechanisms underlying peripheral and central vestibular and sensorimotor processing and understand their dysregulation by pathological processes. Based on this knowledge, we strive to define novel targets for therapeutic intervention by drugs, neuromodulation or physical training. Furthermore, a specific research interest is on the vestibular contribution to spatial orientation and navigation, as well as the interplay of higher vestibular and cognitive networks.

Current or graduated GSN PhD students: Dr. Stephanie Irving, Parthena Schneider-Soupiadis

Selected publications:

Zwergal A, Buettner-Ennever J, Brandt T, Strupp M. An ipsilateral vestibulo-thalamic tract in the medial lemniscus in humans. Brain. 2008; 131:2928-35. doi: 10.1093/brain/awn201.

Schöberl F, Feil K, Xiong G, Bartenstein P, la Fougére C, Jahn K, Brandt T, Strupp M, Dieterich M, Zwergal A. Pathological ponto-cerebello-thalamo-cortical activations in primary orthostatic tremor during lying and stance. Brain. 2017; 140:83-97. doi: 10.1093/brain/aww268.

Schöberl F, Pradhan C, Irving S, Buerger K, Xiong G, Kugler G, Kohlbecher S, Engmann J, Werner P, Brendel M, Schneider E, Perneczky R, Jahn K, la Fougère C, Bartenstein P, Brandt T, Dieterich M, Zwergal A. Real-space navigation testing differentiates between amyloid-positive and -negative aMCI. Neurology. 2020; 94:e861-73. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008758.

Ahmadi SA, Vivar G, Navab N, Möhwald K, Maier A, Hadzhikolev H, Brandt T, Grill E, Dieterich M, Jahn K, Zwergal A. Modern machine-learning can support diagnostic differentiation of central and peripheral acute vestibular disorders. J Neurol. 2020;267(Suppl 1):143-152. doi: 10.1007/s00415-020-09931-z. Epub 2020 Jun 11.