The Clinical & Biological Psychology Department investigates the consequences of traumatic stress at the biomolecular level in the development, symptomatology, and treatment of trauma-related disorders. The experience of abuse, maltreatment, and neglect in childhood, as well as the accumulation of chronic stress and multiple traumas, especially during critical developmental phases, play a particularly important role in this context. Using innovative methods, the research group investigates immune metabolism, energy metabolism, and stress-associated biological parameters such as telomeres, hormones, oxidative stress, etc. Current studies are investigating individuals with depression, complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, and long COVID.

Our research areas:

• The role of energy metabolism and mitochondria in the psychophysiology of mental illness
• Consequences of childhood abuse and maltreatment at the bio molecular level
• Biological correlates of fatigue and depression
• The role of immune metabolism in mental illness
• Nutrition and mental health
• Research and treatment of trauma-related disorders

The work group is part of the German Center for Mental Health (DZP) - ZIHub and also part of the German Center for Child & Adolescent Health site Ulm ( Ulm Child Health).