Research
Publications
Here you'll find short descriptions of some of my work with links to publications (if available). Since I am still at the beginning of my research journey, expect more to come soon!
Hyperconnectivity of an introspective socio-affective brain network in people with depression
Our lives are pervaded and in many ways shaped by social interactions. From youngest age onwards, interactions with significant others define to a large degree who we are - or will become to be - as a person. However, depressed individuals often report poorer relationships and exhibit interpersonal and socio-cognitive problems. In order to better understand these differences, in this study we examined brain activity while people reflected upon past formative relationship experiences. As reported in earlier studies using different tasks, we found an increased connectivity between brain areas that are part of a network that is associated with introspection and socio-affective processing.
Wade-Bohleber LM, Boeker H, Grimm S., Gärtner M, Ernst J, Recher DA, Bürgi N, Seifritz E, & Richter A (2020). Depression is associated with hyperconnectivity of the interoceptive socio-affective network during the recall of formative relationship episodes. Journal of Affective Disorders.
“Chemobrain” – state of research and implications for clinical neuropsychology
Chemobrain - sometimes also called chemofog - refers to cognitive deficits associated with chemotherapy of non central nervous system cancer, which may persist for years in some cases. Contrary to what the term suggests, such deficits are not just caused by chemotherapy, but are the consequence of various biological and psychological factors. In this review article, we discuss the state of research on putative mechanisms of action as well as alternative pathophysiological explanations, diagnostic implications and therapeutic options. [Article in german]
Dannecker N, Bürgi N, & Brugger P (2019). „Chemobrain“ – Stand der Forschung und Implikationen für die klinische Neuropsychologie. Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie.
Neural changes during psychodynamic psychotherapy in people with depression
Psychotherapeutic treatments such as psychodynamic psychotherapy are proven to be effective in treating major depressive disorder. Not all patients respond equally to the treatment, though. In order to deepen our understanding of the therapeutic processes of change, and eventually refine treatment selection, several studies have started looking into what happens within the brain during therapy. This study builds on that branch of research, combining it with a novel paradigm grounded in psychodynamic theory.