Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Katja Bertsch

The focus will be on the influences of a provocative context on social threat processing in AMD under different testosterone levels. Specifically, the project aims to analyze the modulating function of context under testosterone application versus suppression on threat sensitivity in healthy controls as well as patient groups. Additionally, we will determine the influence of endogenous hormone variations (testosterone, oxytocin, estrogen and cortisol) on NVS in high versus low aggressive patients in a large group of patients recruited in Q01. With this sample, we will try to identify multidimensional biosignatures based on hormonal levels in combination with fMRI measures of amygdala and amygdala-prefrontal connectivity, NVS measures by questionnaires, aggression measures and psychopathological data.

Focus on the neural correlates of characterizing cognitive control deficits during conflict situations. The project will investigate patients with varying levels of cognitive control along with their close partners (sibling or intimate partner) to identify the dynamics of self-regulation and co-regulation in provoked conflict situations in patients with control deficits. To identify the precursors and dynamics of conflict escalation, the project will apply measures of behavioral reactions, skin conductance, simulated or real conflict, fMRI and fMRI-hyperscanning techniques and physiological measures. Neuroimaging data will also be combined with information on stress, control and conflicts in real-life via EMA.