Prof. Thomas Kinfe

Neurosurgery, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen

In general, we aim to implement novel technologies such as Robotics and brain-computer interfaces to treat a variety of neurological disorders. Furthermore, we steadily investigate innovative operative procedures such as MR-based Functional Neurosurgery using low-field MRI (0.5 T). I have a particular, personal interest in the clinical treatment and study of objective biomarkers/predictive factors of patients with chronic refractory pain syndrome, who are treated using electrical (DBS, SCS, ONS, PENS, VNS) and biochemical (pharmacotherapy) neuromodulation. To date, this is based on subjective patient-specific assessments (headache diary, pain scales). To improve this short-come we assess the clinical value of molecular and digital phenotyping of chronic pain patients treated with neuromodulation therapies.

Research projects

  • Robotic-assisted Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy
  • Molecular and digital phenotyping in chronic pain patients under neuromodulation therapies. Cooperation Prof. Rohleder (Psychology/Health Sciences) and Prof Eskofier (Dept. of Machine Learning and Data Analytics)
  • MR-based Brain Stimulation using low-field (0.5 T) MRI. Cooperation Prof. Uder (Radiology), Siemens and ClearPoint Inc.
  • A General hybrid interface with human cortical and spinal motoneurons for motor control research in patients with muscle paralysis due to cerebral stroke and/or spinal cord injury. Cooperation Prof. Del Vecchio Chair of Neuromuscular Physiology and Neural Interfacing Department of Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering, AIBE

  • IZKF-S3-AstroFinder: AstroFINDER

    (FAU Funds)

    Term: 1. April 2025 - 31. March 2027
    Funding source: Bayerische Staatsministerien
    Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type within the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), where they integrate intrinsic and microbial cues. However, their relevance in CNS disorders has been poorly defined. We will thus create a network to perform disease-overarching and -specific analyses to unravel novel druggable astrocyte targets in CNS disorders. This will promote neuroscience and microbiome research and form the basis to acquire a DFG-funded Clinical Research unit.

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

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