RM03-17: Neuroimaging using Magnetoencephalography (MEG) – Cross-cultural exploration of Chronodisruption and Depression

Mr. Dr. Jürgen Dammers, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine – Medical Imaging Physics INM-4, Forschungszentrum Jülich, j.dammers@fz-juelich.de

Mr. Dr. Mohammad Herzallah, Palestinian Neuroscience Initiative, Al-Quds University AQU, herzallah@staff.alquds.edu

Scientific goals of the collaboration:

The objective of the present study is to: (1) determine the association of chronotype and chrono-disruption against diverse health factors for the Palestinian and German population, (2) investigate chronotype as a potential mediator of response to antidepressants in our future studies on clinical depression, and (3) examine a potential dependence of chronotype to geographic and cultural factors.

The current research proposal facilitates, for the first time, a comprehensive and multicultural view of chronotype-specificity, including its associations to well-being and depression. The project aims at exploring the underlying spatio-temporal organization of the circadian related neural network and its relationship to depression.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is closely related to electroencephalography (EEG). Both methods will be used as they provide the highest possible temporal resolution among neuroimaging modalities. The latter is a reasonable method to address time-critical neuroscientific questions at low cost. Our future plans include the implementation of an EEG-lab and data analysis know-how at Palestinian Universities to ensure sustainability with regard to long-term neuroscientific collaborations.

Suitable candidates for MSc or PhD theses may come from Computer Science or Biomedical Engineering Faculties with image and signal processing background.