Clinical Neurotechnology

The Research Section Clinical Neurotechnology serves as interface between the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (CCM), the Neuroscience Research Centre (NWFZ), the Excellence Cluster Neurocure and the Einstein Centre for Neurosciences. There are also links to the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin (BCCN), the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain. Its research focuses on the clinical use of brain-computer and brain-machine interfaces (BCI/BMI), and their combination with non-invasive brain stimulation methods such as transcranial electrical or magnetic stimulation (tES/TMS).
 
In particular, it deals with the investigation of neuroplasticity in the context of clinical BCI applications. In this context, BCI systems are also combined with other forms of neurotechnology, e.g. non-invasive brain stimulation. Brain stimulation techniques have been used clinically for many decades to modulate brain activity in a targeted manner and thus promote neuroplasticity. The aim of combining both methods is to better understand and influence neuroplastic processes and the development of new and effective new treatment strategies for brain disorders. In this context, the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is currently investigating various CNS diseases, including stroke, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction and chronic pain.
 
The work is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the European Union (EU) and the European Research Council (ERC).