Prof. Dr. Thomas Gasser

Research focus:

Genetic and molecular basis of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, including the mapping, cloning and functional characterization of Mendelian genes causing PD and other movement disorders, but also the identification of common genetic variability which contributes to the sporadic forms of the disease. Clinical and translational interests include diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease with a special emphasis on innovative imaging techniques, such as transcranial ultrasound. Genetic and molecular basis of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, including the mapping, cloning and functional characterization of Mendelian genes causing PD and other movement disorders, but also the identification of common genetic variability which contributes to the sporadic forms of the disease. Clinical and translational interests include diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease with a special emphasis on innovative imaging techniques, such as transcranial ultrasound.

Interests:

Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder, and mutations in a growing number of genes have been identified as causes for hereditary forms in many cases. The aim of the group, which brings together clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of the dystonias with expertise in molecular genetics, is to define the role of known genes in the etiology of dystonia, but especially to find new genes and therefore gain novel insight into the molecular pathogenesis of the disorder. Patient recruitment is based on the departmental outpatient clinic for botulinum toxin treatment led by Prof. Schöls, on international collaborations but also on the work of Dr. E.Lohmann, who is presently working at the University of Istanbul, supported by a Margarete von Wrangell-stipend. As Turkey is a country with a high rate consanguinity, the prevalence of hereditary recessive diseases is greatly increased. Building on an existing cohort of patients with dystonia from consanguineous families in Turkey,detailed phenotyping and a thorough work-up of the families will provide the basis for future genetic analyses.

Links: Publications on Pubmed, Herti Institute

Current members: Link to group members at Hertie Institute