NAP-B research group

MTA-SE-NAP B Genetic Brain Imaging Migraine Research Group
Title of the Project: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and genetic biomarker investigations in migraine

Institution: Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest Nagyvárad tér 4.
Financial support provided by the European Union and the Hungarian State: 120 738 000 HUF
Duration of the project: 2015.01.01. – 2017.12.31.

Short summary of the project:

The MTA-SE-NAP-B Genetic Brain Imaging Research Group funded by the Hungarian Brain Research Program is investigating the neural response (brain activity) related to stress resilience and pain perception in people with migraine and in healthy control subjects.

Physiological and psychosocial stressors are considered to have a significant role in recurrence of migraine attacks. However, there are no drug treatments currently available which reliably prevent such attacks. Therefore our aim is to reveal the possible causes of migraine attacks with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that enables us to measure brain activity during stress-related psychological tasks and pharmacological challenge. Our method will identify brain imaging biomarkers that are defined as changes in brain structures and/or functions that can predict migraine susceptibility. These brain imaging biomarkers then will be matched to molecular genetic risk factors.

Our second aim is to investigate how autogenic training (AT) – a psychological stress-reduction technique – can exert its effect on migraine attacks. Identification of brain areas and related biological markers that mediate the positive effect of AT on the frequency of attacks may help our understanding of the causes behind the recurrence of migraine attacks.

In summary, our project will contribute to the investigation and identification of genetic regulatory mechanisms involved in migraine etiology, and additionally to the identification of new targets of migraine preventive medications. Our further aim is to identify specific risk factors that can predict individual differences in pain and stress-related functions and response to different treatment options.

We are collaborating with other research groups at the Semmelweis University and at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and applying modern neuroimaging and genetic tools that provide deeper insight into migraine pathology so that we can be competitive at world-class level.

Contact:
Email address: agykutatas@gmail.com

Members of our research group
Juhász GabriellaDr. Gabriella JuhászResearch group leader, senior lecturer (Semmelweis University, Department of Phamacodynamics)MTMT
Semmelweis University Department of Pharmacodynamics
Kökönyei GyöngyiDr. Gyöngyi KökönyeiResearcher consultant, senior lecturer (ELTE, ELTE PPK Department of Psychiatry)MTMT
ELTE PPK Department of Psychiatry
Szabó EdinaEdina Szabóresearcher psychologist, Phd student (ELTE, Psychology PhD school)ELTE,Psychology PhD school
Kocsel NatáliaNatália Kocselresearcher psychologist, Phd student (ELTE, Psychology PhD school)ELTE, Psychology PhD school
Édes AndreaDr. Andrea ÉdesResearcher Pharmacist, PhD student (Semmelweis University, PhD school of Mental Health Sciences)Semmelweis University, PhD school of Mental Health Sciences
Gecse KingaKinga GecsePharmacy TDk Student, (Semmelweis University, Faculty of Pharmacy)Semmelweis University, Faculty of Pharmacy
Zsuzsanna TóthPharmacy TDk Student, (Semmelweis University, Faculty of Pharmacy)Semmelweis University, Faculty of Pharmacy

Collaborating partners of our research group: 1. Semmelweis University, Department of Pharmacodynamics (Principal: Prof. Bagdy György)
2. MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and NAP-A National Brain Research Program, Semmelweis University, (Prof. Bagdy György)
Bagdy GyörgyDr. György BagdyDirector of Department of Pharmacodynamics, Doctor of Hungarian Academy of SciencesMTMT
Semmelweis University, Department of Pharmacodynamics
Édes AndreaDr. Andrea ÉdesResearcher Pharmacist, PhD student (Semmelweis University, PhD school of Mental Health Sciences)Semmelweis University, PhD school of Mental Health Sciences
Galambos AttilaAttila GalambosResearcher Psychologist
Eszlári NóraNóra EszláriResearcher Psychologist, PhD student (Semmelweis University, PhD school of Mental Health Sciences)Semmelweis University, PhD school of Mental Health Sciences
Tóth Zoltán GézaDr. Zoltán TóthElectrical engineer (Msc) Óbuda University
Kandó Kálmán Faculty of Electrical Engineering
MTMT

Semmelweis University, Department of Neurology (Director: Prof. Bereczky Dániel)
Ertsey CsabaDr. Csaba ErtseyNeurologist, Senior lecturer, (Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology)MTMT
Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology
Zsombók TeréziaDr. Terézia ZsombókScientific consultant, relaxation therapistMTMT
Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology
Csépány ÉvaDr. Éva CsépányPhD student (Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences) Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences
Magyar MátéDr. Máté Magyarneurologist, central intern of Department of NeurologySemmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology
Gyüre TamásTamás GyürePsychologist, PhD student (Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences) Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences

Semmelweis University, Magnetic Resonance Research Center (Director: Dr. Rudas Gábor)
Kozák LajosDr. Lajos KozákMedical Doctor (MD) ,Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Engineering ,Assistant professor , (Semmelweis University,Magnetic Resonance Research Center )MRKK
MTMT
Szabó ÁdámDr. Ádám SzabóMedical Doctor (MD), radiologist central intern (Semmelweis University,Magnetic Resonance Research Center)MRKK
Gyebnár GyulaGyula GyebnárPhysicist, PhD student (Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences) Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences
LakatosAndreaDr. Andrea LakatosRadiologist, PhD student(Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences) Semmelweis university, Szentágothai János PhD school of Neurosciences