Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin cordially invites you to the advisory board meeting of the Collaborative Research Centre TRR265: Loss and Recovery of Control in Addictive Disorders. The event will take place on 11 March 2025 from 16:00 in the Day Clinic (Ward 154T) of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Bonhoeffer Weg 3, 10117 Berlin. Aim and content of the event The advisory board meeting offers a platform for exchange between science, practice and the public. The aim is to present current research findings on addiction research and to discuss them with those affected, relatives and specialists from the fields of medicine, psychology and social work. Programme 16:00 - Welcome and introduction (L. Diallo & S. Dörr) 16:10 - Project update C02: Mindfulness and neurostimulation (A. Beck) 16:30 - Presentation of Vista Berlin (L. Behrends) 16:45 - Presentation of the drug emergency service (R. Schmolke) 17:00 - Farewell and outlook (A. Heinz & M. Rapp) 17:10 - Get-together in the day clinic with buffet Registration and contact Interested parties are requested to register by e-mail to Sabrina Dörr anzumelden: sabrina.doerr@charite.de The event is aimed at those affected, relatives, medical, psychological, nursing and social work professionals and all other people involved in the care of mentally ill people.

Alcohol consumption is a socially relevant topic that is often underestimated - especially when it comes to women. The new book "Women and Alcohol" by Prof. Dr. Falk Kiefer and Nathalie Stüben, which will be published on December 25, 2024, is dedicated to precisely this topic. Expert duo combines science and experience The authors bring a unique perspective: Prof. Dr. Kiefer is a renowned addiction researcher, while Stüben brings personal experience as a journalist and former alcoholic. This combination promises both well-founded scientific findings and authentic insights. Comprehensive look at a complex topic The book examines why women drink and what impact alcohol consumption has on their lives. It examines biological, psychological and social aspects and shows ways in which women can live their lives without alcohol. relevance for society With 304 pages, the work offers an in-depth analysis of an often overlooked aspect of the addiction problem. It could make an important contribution to the public discussion about alcohol consumption and gender differences in addiction research. For anyone interested in health, addiction prevention or gender issues, "Women and Alcohol" promises to be an insightful read.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern, yet its neural underpinnings remain incompletely understood. In a new systematic review, researchers from the TRR265 research consortium  synthesized findings from 39 studies on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC)  in AUD. By analyzing whole-brain connectivity patterns, they identified consistent alterations in key regions, including the middle and superior frontal gyri, anterior cingulate cortex, and insula , which are crucial for executive control, emotional regulation, and reward processing . To provide a structured overview of the field, the authors generated relevance maps , highlighting brain regions and connections most frequently associated with AUD across studies. These maps offer a quantitative framework  for understanding how AUD affects brain function and serve as a foundation for future research on craving, relapse, and cognitive impairments. Their approach also addresses methodological variability in neuroimaging studies by focusing on whole-brain analyses rather than region-specific (seed-based) methods. This work, conducted within the TRR265 consortium , provides a valuable resource for addiction neuroscience, emphasizing the need for standardized methods in fMRI research. The findings pave the way for future studies integrating multimodal imaging and longitudinal approaches to further unravel the neural mechanisms of AUD. 🔗 Read the full study : https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.70156

The COVID-19 pandemic had profound effects on healthcare systems, particularly for vulnerable populations such as individuals with severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). A new study from the TRR265 research consortium  examined the trajectories of 45 patients undergoing intensive outpatient treatment with disulfiram (Antabuse) . Longitudinal data analysis (2019–2022) revealed a significant decline in treatment retention during lockdowns, with an increase in therapy discontinuations. Following the pandemic, patient numbers showed a slow recovery but did not fully return to pre-pandemic levels. The findings highlight the vulnerability of AUD patients in times of crisis  and emphasize the need for alternative treatment approaches. In particular, telemedical interventions  could help maintain treatment continuity when access to healthcare is restricted. Notably, patients who remained in the program despite pandemic-related barriers did not show an increased rate of abstinence violations, suggesting that disulfiram treatment remains effective even under challenging conditions. These insights provide important guidance for improving addiction treatment in crisis situations. The authors stress the need for future studies to explore the long-term effects of pandemic-related restrictions  on AUD and the efficacy of different treatment strategies. 🔗 Read the full study : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-90081-5

Alcohol is deeply rooted in our society - be it at celebrations, as a stimulant or simply for relaxation. But how dangerous is our use of the number one drug really? In a captivating documentary, Dr Eckart von Hirschhausen reveals the far-reaching consequences of alcohol consumption on our bodies, our relationships and society as a whole. The underestimated danger Science agrees: every sip of alcohol is potentially carcinogenic. In fact, alcohol causes seven different types of cancer and can favour serious neurological diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, it remains socially accepted and is often trivialised. When does alcohol consumption become an addiction? Intoxication is fun - but when does the pleasure turn into a dangerous addiction? The documentary impressively shows how our brain repeatedly lets us fall into the alcohol trap. Exciting scientific experiments are used to illustrate how alcohol influences our thoughts and actions - often without us consciously realising it. The effects on family and friendships It is not only the consumer himself who suffers from alcohol addiction - the social environment is also massively affected. Families break up, friendships are put to the test and emotional stress increases. The documentary impressively illuminates the impact that alcohol consumption can have on personal life. Scientific expertise In addition, the scientists of the TRR265, Prof Rainer Spanagel and Prof Falk Kiefer, were interviewed on this topic. They provide valuable scientific insights into the dangers of alcohol consumption and the mechanisms of addiction. Now available in the media centre The documentary was broadcast on ARD on 27 January and is now available in the media library. Find out more about the real risks of alcohol and why a more conscious approach is so important. You can find the full documentary here: Hirschhausen and the power of alcohol - watch here (in german).

A report by the German broadcaster rbb focuses on the trend towards so-called DripBars. These are facilities that offer intravenous infusions with high doses of vitamins, electrolytes and other nutrients. These treatments are said to boost energy levels, strengthen the immune system and, in particular, accelerate recovery after alcohol consumption. One exciting aspect of the report is Ann-Kathrin Stock's assessment of the so-called hangover infusion. While many people believe that this intravenous treatment is an effective method of alleviating the symptoms of a hangover, Stock expresses doubts about its actual effectiveness. In her opinion, these infusions are not harmful, but on the basis of current studies they offer no demonstrable advantage over conventional methods of fluid and electrolyte intake. Her conclusion is accordingly pragmatic: a simple cube of broth has (almost) the same effect.

After intense holidays, the question often arises: Can exercise help to banish the hangover? Research findings and expert opinions offer exciting insights into this. A hangover occurs when alcohol and its breakdown products put a strain on the body, cause dehydration and inflammatory processes and disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. According to psychologist Ann-Kathrin Stock, research associate at the Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital and member of the Alcohol Hangover Research Group, the brain counteracts alcohol consumption and can overcompensate - the result is the typical hangover feeling, which can be accompanied by a depressive mood. Sport could help in the short term by releasing happiness hormones such as dopamine, explains Claus Reinsberger, Head of the Institute of Sports Medicine at Paderborn University. However, the liver breaks down most of the alcohol, while sweating only removes a small proportion ( source: ZEIT ONLINE ). Therefore, the actual benefit of exercise during a hangover remains limited and experts advise moderate activity. Dry January’ offers a different solution. According to the podcast Wissen Weekly, temporarily abstaining from alcohol can relieve the liver and promote general well-being ( source: Wissen Weekly Podcast ). Even if alcohol is consumed again afterwards, such conscious breaks can have positive effects. Conclusion: A conscious approach to alcohol and moderate exercise help the body to stay fit and balanced in the long term.

The brain works like a diligent student during sleep: it repeats what it has learnt, links it to existing knowledge and transforms it into stable memory content. These processes are crucial for learning and could potentially also promote mental health - especially in diseases associated with sleep and memory problems. This is where the ‘MemoryTracker’ project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) with two million euros, comes in, which is being carried out under the direction of Dr Gordon Feld at the Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI) in Mannheim. Using state-of-the-art technologies such as high-field MRI and magnetoencephalography, the team is investigating how the brain processes and changes complex content during sleep. A key innovation of the project is the use of realistic learning materials: instead of simple lists of words, the test subjects learn networks of emotionally meaningful images. This allows memory processing to be recorded more accurately, while mathematical models and AI map the content as ‘fingerprints’. In addition to studies on healthy participants, research is also being conducted into how these processes are disrupted in depressed people in order to develop new treatment approaches. The aim is to specifically influence emotional memory processes in order to promote mental health in the long term. You can find more details on the ZI-Mannheim website.

TRR265 scientist Ann-Kathrin Stock is interviewed for a Deutschlandfunk programme on the topic of ‘Medicine or myth’ about alcohol hangovers. In the podcast, the experts explain how excessive alcohol consumption leads to a hangover and explore the question of whether sour drinks can actually help to relieve headaches, nausea and dizziness, or whether it is just a well-intentioned myth. They shed light on the scientific background, explain how the body reacts after excessive alcohol consumption and what really (doesn't) help against a hangover. If you want to know whether sour is the right solution or whether there are better alternatives, you shouldn't miss the latest episode of ‘Medicine or Myth’! HERE THE LINK

In a recent commentary published in  The Lancet Psychiatry , Bernd Lenz and Birgit Derntl, researchers from the German Center for Mental Health (BL and BD) and the CRC/TRR 265 (BL), underscore the critical need for sex-sensitive and gender-sensitive approaches in the treatment of mental disorders. Despite advancements in research and the endorsement of the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines, the integration of these considerations into clinical practice remains limited. The authors call for a shift in how mental health care is conceptualized and delivered, advocating for the establishment and implantation of tailored strategies that recognize the unique vulnerabilities and resilience factors associated with different sexes and genders. This initiative aims to enhance patient outcomes and ensure that mental health services are inclusive and effective for all individuals. For more insights, please see the article https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00330-4 .

On October 27, 2024, the "Tag der Sportpsychologie: Schach" (“Day of Sports Psychology: Chess”) will take place in Viernheim. The event will highlight   psychological aspects of success in chess. Sabine Vollstädt-Klein and Gordon Feld (TRR project C01) are actively contributing . As part of the TRR project C01, which the two researchers are leading together with Karen Ersche, chess is being used as an add-on-intervention during smoking cessation treatment. Sabine Vollstädt-Klein will give a lecture on a broader topic. Under the direction of Gordon Feld, the heart rate of a grandmaster and an opponent will be transmitted live to the screen during a simul tournament. There are still places available and registrations can still be accepted (as of October 22, 2024). More information: https://www.verband-sportpsychologie.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tag-der-Sportpsychologie-Schach-2024-Einladung-Web.pdf

In a recent expert review published in “Translational Psychiatry”, Giannone and colleagues delve into the intricate relationship between habitual and goal-directed behaviors in the context of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study highlights the significant public health challenge posed by excessive alcohol consumption and its detrimental effects on life expectancy. Through a meta-analysis of rodent studies, the authors explore how chronic alcohol exposure alters neurobiological processes, leading to habitual responses that can overshadow goal-directed actions. They emphasize the importance of precise terminology in addiction research, distinguishing between habitual behaviors and compulsivity. This comprehensive analysis not only sheds light on the mechanisms underlying AUD but also calls for further research to develop effective interventions for those struggling with alcohol addiction. Link to article