Synaptic Lipid Signaling: Impact on psychomotor control (C08)

• Subject Area: Developmental Neurobiology ; Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 431549029

Project C08 investigates the molecular mechanisms of lipid signaling underlying motor control in depression. In the first funding period, we uncovered a role of the peripheral lipid metabolism in complex motor programs and a strong link between lipid metabolism, cortical excitability and depression. Bioactive lipids are a novel, non-neuronal link in the body-brain axis modulating cortical excitability. Using an animal model of depression and data from a large cohort of patients, project C08 aims to identify cross-disorder phenotypes in psychiatric disorders in connection with specific changes in motor function correlated to changes in lipid metabolism.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1451: Key mechanisms of motor control in health and disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Robert Nitsch; Professor Dr. Johannes Vogt