جست‌وجوی استاد و پژوهشگر

Nico Melzerمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

• Neuroimmunology
• Epilepsy
• Autoimmune encephalitis
• +۶ مورد دیگر

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.