Nico Melzer

PD Dr. med. Nico Melzer is Group Leader of the research unit "Inflammatory Mechanisms of epileptogenic Neurodegeneration" at the Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany. His work integrates experimental, translational and clinical approaches to understand how immune and neurovascular mechanisms drive cortical hyperexcitability and neurodegeneration in epilepsy.

Education & Academic Standing:

• Medical doctorate (Dr. med.) with subsequent habilitation conferring the title Privatdozent (PD), the German equivalent of Associate Professor.

Research Focus:
The Melzer group investigates the tri-directional interplay between immunity, neurovascular function and neuronal excitability. Using human biosamples, advanced neuroimaging, and rodent models of limbic encephalitis, the team has demonstrated that CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes can directly trigger hippocampal sclerosis and chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. A second pillar centres on autoimmune encephalitis caused by antibodies to neuronal surface antigens (e.g. GAD65, IgLON5, GABA_A-R), dissecting genetic risk, CSF proteomic signatures, and therapeutic outcomes.

Current projects exploit TSPO PET imaging to quantify microglial activation, apply single-cell sequencing to cerebrospinal fluid, and test complement- and B-cell-directed therapies in national trials. The ultimate goal is to translate immunological insights into precision treatments that prevent pharmacoresistant epilepsy and associated cognitive decline.

Scientific Awards & Recognition:

• Founding member and steering committee, German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE) – funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
• Board member, German Society of Epileptology (DGfE) Epilepsy Surgery Working Group.
• Lead author on Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie guidelines for myasthenia gravis and myasthenic syndromes.

Grants & Collaborative Networks:
The laboratory coordinates multi-centre observational studies and investigator-initiated trials across >30 German centres. Ongoing BMBF GENERATE funding supports prospective registries for autoimmune encephalitis and the first genome-wide association studies in anti-GAD65 and anti-IgLON5 syndromes.

Clinical & Academic Service:
Dr Melzer runs the university outpatient clinics for Autoimmune Encephalitis and Refractory Epilepsy and provides specialised inpatient care at the Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University Hospital Düsseldorf.