LANIC (Lab for Autonomic Neuroscience, Imaging and Cognition) is an independent research unit of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy and the Department of Gerontopsychiatry and Psychotherapy. LANIC's research now focuses on psychosomatic diseases, and diseases associated with healthy and pathological aging.

Prof. Dr. Karl-Jürgen Bär
Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena

Psychosomatic Medicine, Gerontopsychiatry and Psychotherapy

Research projects

Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Patients with Schizophrenia

Principle investigator: Prof. Dr. Karl-Jürgen Bär
DFG 2016 - 2021

Life expectancy of patients with schizophrenia is decreased by 15-20 years compared to healthy controls. Studies have repeatedly indicated a common pathophysiology of heart disease and schizophrenia. This study aims to characterize the cardiac risk of patients and describe major pathophysiological mechanisms and consequences of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in schizophrenia. In the future, specific clinical interventions may improve treatment outcomes in high-risk patients.

The influence of biofeedback on brain connectivity in patients with depression

During the biofeedback training, the heart rhythm is measured and visually displayed. Patients then train their breathing to adapt to the course. This has some positive effects on the circulatory system and the brain.

Principle investigator: Dr. Andy Schumann

DFG 2019 - 2022

Alterations in connectivity within functional brain networks seem to promote and maintain key symptoms of depression. In this project, we apply biofeedback to reduce autonomic imbalance in patients and investigate the effects on functional brain networks. We intend to further promote the use of biofeedback to improve depressive symptoms.

The relation of autonomic dysfunction and depressive rumination

Principle investigator: Dr. Andy Schumann
IZKF MSP 2019-2022

In diesem Projekt untersuchen wir den Zusammenhang von wiederkehrenden negativen Gedanken bei depressiven Patienten (Rumination) mit der Balance des autonomen Nervensystems. Außerdem sollen die neuronalen Korrelate im Gehirn erforscht werden. Wissenschaftliche Studien legen nahe, dass eine Aktivierung des Sympathikus während Rumination zu erhöhtem Blutdruck und beschleunigter Herzfrequenz führt und somit das Herzkreislaufsystem depressiver Patienten belastet.

EMBBODI: Analysis of EMotion-focused Brain-BODy Interactions to derive a new therapeutic rationale in Anorexia nervosa

Principle investigator: Dr. Stefanie Suttkus
FSU 2020 - 2025

In dieser Studie untersuchen wir die neurofunktionellen Grundlagen der emotionalen Dysregulation im Gehirn von Patienten mit Anorexia Nervosa. Außerdem soll ein Biofeedback-gestütztes Training die emotionale Wahrnehmung bei Patienten verbessern. Solche Interventionen, welche die emotionalen Fähigkeiten fördern, könnten die Standardtherapie ergänzen und sogar eine vielversprechende Strategie zur Krankheitsprävention sein.

The effect of aging on dynamic brain functional connectivity and associated decline in cardiac vagal and cognitive flexibility

AutonomicAGE refers to the difference between the age estimated from biological signals, and the calendar age. Accelerated processes of healthy aging result in an increased AutonomicAGE.

Principle investigator: Dr. Feliberto de la Cruz

2020 - 2024

Aging is a ubiquitous biologic process characterized by progressive changes in brain function and body physiology. In healthy older adults, dynamic changes of functional connectivity in major brain networks diminish, which relates to cognitive impairment, and reduced cardiac health. In this research project, we investigate the effect of aging on dynamic brain connectivity in relation to cardiac autonomic function as well as their consequences for cognitive performance.

Further projects

Brain structural and functional changes in anorexia

Principle investigator: Dr. Feliberto de la Cruz

Selected publications

de la Cruz F, Schumann A, Köhler S, Reichenbach JR, Wagner G, Bär KJ. 2019. The relationship between heart rate and functional connectivity of brain regions involved in autonomic control. Neuroimage. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.04.014
Schumann A, Köhler S, Brotte L, Bär KJ. 2019. Effect of an 8-week smartphone-guided HRV-biofeedback intervention on autonomic function and impulsivity in healthy controls. Physiological Measurement. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ab2065
Bär KJ, Köhler S, de la Cruz F, Schumann A, Zepf FD, Wagner G. 2019 Functional consequences of acute tryptophan depletion on raphe nuclei connectivity and network organization in healthy women. Neuroimage. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116362
Refisch A, Chung HY, Komatsuzaki S, Schumann A, Mühleisen TW, Nöthen MM, Hübner CA, Bär KJ. 2020. A common variation in HCN1 is associated with heart rate variability in schizophrenia, Schizophrenia Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.11.017