© Meuth

Topics of research


Research interests include the study of autoimmune inflammation, ion channels in inflammation and degeneration, neuroimmune interactions, and cellular electrophysiology.



ChemBIon project description

Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration are pathophysiological hallmarks of diverse inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), including multiple sclerosis (MS). N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a pivotal role in the mediation of neuronal glutamate excitotoxicity leading to cellular damage and apoptotic cell death. Current treatment approaches targeting NMDA receptors are unspecific and associated with severe adverse events due to the broad and important functions of these receptors in the CNS. In collaboration with B. Wünsch we recently found an ameliorative effect of a novel subunit-specific NMDA receptor antagonist in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model for MS. The antagonist, WMS-1410 (WMS), specifically binds to GluN2B NMDA receptors, leading to a reduced infiltration of auto-aggressive immune cells into the spinal cord.
The goal of this project: The goal of this project is to investigate the WMS mode of action in autoimmune neuro-inflammation.

  • Curriculum vitae

    EDUCATION & DEGREES

     1997-2004

    Study of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany

    1999-2002

    Promoted member of the DFG Group “Biological basics of disorders of the nervous system”

    2000-2004

    Postgrad. academic studies, Neurobiol., Otto-von-Guericke University (OvGU), Magdeburg

    2005

    Dr. med. (summa cum laude), Inst. of Physiology, OvGU, Magdeburg

    2007

    PhD Thesis (summa cum laude), Inst. of Physiology, OvGU, Magdeburg

    2009-2011

    Open Univ. degree “Master of Health Business Administration”, Univ. Nürnberg-Erlangen, Germany

    ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

    2004-2009

    Assistant physician and Postdoc (Research group “Multiple Sclerosis and Neurimmunology”), Department of Neurology and Policlinic, University Hospital Würzburg (Prof. Dr. K.V. Toyka)

    2004-2005

     Stay abroad, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

    2009-2010

    Assistant physician, Clinic of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy und Psychosomatic medicine, Lohr am Main, Germany (Prof. Dr. G. Jungkunz)

    2009-2010

    Visiting scientist, Department of Neurology and Policlinic, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany; Research group “Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology” (Prof. Dr. H. Wiendl)

    2010-2013

    Senior physician, Department of Neurology, Division of Inflammatory Diseases of the Nervous System and Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Germany (Prof. Dr. H. Wiendl)

    2010-2016

    Professor (W3) for Neuropathophysiol., Inst. of Physiol. I, Westphalian Wilhelms-Univ. Münster

    2011

    Admission as medical specialist for Neurology (Medical Board Westfalen-Lippe)

    Since 04/2013

    Vice-chair, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Münster

    Since 03/2016

    Director, Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster

    Since 01/2017

    Vice Dean for research / Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Münster

    Since 03/2019

    Acting Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Münster