Andreas Zwergal

Andreas Zwergal serves as Professor and Head of Department at the Medical Faculty of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), where he is based at the German Dizziness and Balance Center (DSGZ) in Munich. As a full member of the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN) and active member of its Scientific Board, he leads translational research bridging basic neurophysiology and clinical neurology to advance understanding of vestibular pathophysiology.

His research program centers on vestibular and sensorimotor disorders using multimodal methodologies spanning animal models to human patients. Key interests include vestibular disorders, balance dysfunctions, ocular motor abnormalities, and systems neurology, with emphasis on neuronal circuitry, molecular mechanisms, and lesion-induced neuroplasticity. His work integrates neurophysiological testing, behavioral analysis, and advanced imaging to develop novel therapeutic strategies involving pharmacological interventions, neuromodulation, and physical training protocols.

Recent publications demonstrate a strategic shift toward AI-enhanced diagnostics and spatial navigation research, with significant contributions in differentiating cognitive impairment subtypes using real-space testing, elucidating tremor pathophysiology through neuroimaging, and improving diagnostic accuracy for acute vestibular syndromes via machine learning. This trajectory reflects growing integration of virtual reality, deep learning, and multimodal brain connectivity mapping.

Professor Zwergal mentors doctoral candidates including Stephanie Irving and Parthena Schneider-Soupiadis. His research operates within the DSGZ facility, which features comprehensive vestibular assessment capabilities including videooculography, 3D-motion platforms, gait analysis systems, posturography, EEG, multimodal imaging (fMRI, DTI, PET), and neuromodulation tools such as TMS and galvanic vestibular stimulation for investigating spatial orientation and sensorimotor integration.