We are investigating the underlying mechanisms of the influence of sleep on the immune system and focus hereby on the role of various hormones that are released in a sleep-dependent fashion.

We deal with the role of sleep/ wake rhythms in the regulation of metabolic functions. Cognitive and endocrine factors are of particular relevance.

Early human development is characterized by rapid and tremendous psychological and neurophysiological changes due to maturation and learning.

We focus on the self-regulation of signals through reward learning and classical conditioning in healthy individuals as well as in neurological and psychiatric patients.

In the neuroprosthetics group we work on open and closed loop systems for cognitive or motor impairments restoration. We use brain and muscle activity as main control signals.

Consciousness is the most general ability to subjective experience. Its main components are wakefulness, experiences and intentional states.