Did you know?
Our nerve pathways measure a total of 5.8 million kilometers – this could span the earth 145 times.
Nerve impulses travel to and from the brain at about 270 kilometers per hour.
The world’s highest-resolution brain scan of a living human was done by scientists at the University of Magdeburg in 2017.
The human brain weighs about 2 percent of our body weight, but consumes nearly 20 percent of the body`s energy.
University medicine for all –
for respectful and peaceful coexistence

The University Medical Center Magdeburg is very concerned about the spread of extremist ideologies, discrimination, and the current increase in anti-Semitic incidents and statements in public and at universities. Magdeburg University Medicine distances itself from this behavior in the strongest possible terms. Extremist, racist, discriminatory, and anti-Semitic statements and actions will not be tolerated. The members of University Medicine Magdeburg stand together for peaceful and respectful coexistence. Every person, regardless of origin, religion, or ideology, must be able to feel respected and valued at Magdeburg University Medical Center.
CRC 1436 Coordination
We support you in all matters concerning the Collaborative Research Center.

Dr. Julia Rödiger

Bianca Dupré
The Press Office of the Medical Faculty of the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg informs about news from research and teaching.
For media inquiries regarding these areas, we are happy to help. Find more information.
CRC Steering Committee
spokesperson / deputy spokesperson

Prof. Dr. med. Emrah Düzel

Dr. Michael R. Kreutz
advisory members
- Prof. Carol Barnes
- Prof. Eckart Gundelfinger
resently joint advisor
- Prof. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga
steering committee

Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Anne Albrecht

Prof. Dr. Daniela Dieterich

Prof. Dr. Anne Maass

Prof. Dr. Toemme Noesselt

Prof. Dr. Janelle Pakan

Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Remy

Prof. Dr. Magdalena Sauvage

Prof. Dr. Constanze Seidenbecher

Prof. Dr. med. Markus Ullsperger

Prof. Dr. Thomas Wolbers
Civic Stakeholder Engagement
This board is coordinated by Robert Pohl.
As part of the research cluster “Cognitive Vitality – a healthy mind in every body”, the Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, headed by Prof. Dr. Düzel, and the Institute of Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. Apfelbacher have established a dedicated group of people with personal experience of cognitive impairment from their everyday lives and/ or their professional/volunteer environment.
This interdisciplinary group of experts and individuals with personal experience of cognitive/mental impairment, independent of medical endorsement, can contribute a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and needs in the field of cognitive health as well as new perspectives to our research. In doing so, we strive to achieve the following goals:
- Participation and exchange: by involving people with different backgrounds and experiences, we encourage a lively exchange of ideas and solutions.
- Support for research: Board members support the planning and implementation of our research projects by sharing their personal experiences from everyday life, their professional, or their voluntary environment.
- Improving quality of life: Through collaborative efforts to investigate and protect cognitive performance to improve the quality of life of those affected.
The Cognitive Vitality Cluster has established a Civic Stakeholder Board in which 10 citizens participate who are affected by cognitive impairment, for instance in relation to a medical condition such as chemotherapy or surgery, or due to a neurodegenerative condition, or simply because they are interested in cognitive health. This was done also with the research of the CRC in mind.
To this end, Civic Stakeholder Engagement is actively integrated into the annual CRC retreat and the annual general meeting, where it is given the opportunity for joint discussion and the creation of new perspectives. In addition, an evening event is organised once a year to support the communication in the board.
The Civic Stakeholder Board will provide an important first person perspective and guidance to the CRC in the second funding period. Together with our Civic Stakeholder Board we will develop a participatory format for communication with older adults and patients at risk of or suffering from cognitive impairment. In this format we will also discuss the ethical questions surrounding the accelerated use of AI, and privacy of the mind. Most importantly, CRC researchers, including those who are working with animals, will have the opportunity to get a firsthand insight into the worries and priorities of persons with cognitive challenges.
Participants wanted

Who can claim to help with really big breakthroughs in medicine… you maybe? Of course!
Apply as a participant in one of our trials.
Are you a super-ager? Find out!
Or join us to find out if exercise improves memory or if cognitive fitness in old age is just a matter of hard work.