Veronica Witte

P.Dr. Veronica Witte is a Professor at the University of Leipzig's Department of Neurology and Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences. Her research focuses on the impact of diet, lifestyle, and genetic factors on brain structure/function, particularly in aging populations. She leads projects on obesity-related neurodegeneration, gut-brain axis interactions, and cognitive aging mechanisms.

Education: Habilitation (2019) in Leipzig; PhD (2007) from Bielefeld University; Diploma in Biology (2004). Career highlights include leadership roles since 2014 at the Max Planck Institute and faculty positions in international research schools (IMPRS NeuroCom).

Key research areas include neuroimaging techniques (MRI/fMRI/PET), human interventional studies, and translational approaches linking metabolic health to brain aging. Notable grants include DFG funding for bariatric surgery studies and EFRE support for data infrastructure development.

Her work combines population-level epidemiology (LIFE-Adult-Study) with experimental interventions, emphasizing modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline. Recent studies explore microbiome-altering diets, ghrelin pathways, and the neural basis of eating disorders.