The working group Epigenetics and Personality Structure studies the effects of early-childhood environmental factors on the later development of a depressive or personality disorder.

Methodological priorities lie in the differentiated diagnosis of the clinical disorder and associated neurocognitive and interpersonal functional impairments, as well as in the analysis of epigenetic changes as a possible modulator of persistent symptoms.

The aim of the working group is a close interlinking of basic research with clinical diagnostics and the therapy of personality disorders.

Current study: "Early traumatisation and epigenetic modulation as risk factors for the development of a depressive or personality disorder"

Members of the working group:

• Dr. med. Dorothee Gescher (group leader)
• Dipl.-Psych. Marian Scholz
• Dr. med. Coraline Metzger
• Daniel Nebe
• Eva Salomon (cand. med.)

Collaborations:

• Prof. Dr. med. M. Zenker / Dr. rer. nat.  D. Schanze (Institute of Human Genetics, UKM)
• Prof. Dr. med. Chr. Schmahl (Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim)