News

Wed, 23/08/2023
Neurology Webinar on human brain T cells in health and multiple sclerosis
Muenster. The SFB 128 is happy welcome Joost J.F.M. Smolders, MD, PhD , head of MS Center ErasMS and Neuroimmunology Brain (NIB) Research Group at the Department of Immunology of the Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC), as lecturer at the Muenster Neurology Webinar. His talk is entitled “Unique features of human brain T cells […]...more
Thu, 03/08/2023
Neurology Webinar – How much gut needs the brain
Muenster. In December 2023, Prof. Anne-Katrin Pröbstel, Head of the Interdisciplinary Autoimmune Clinic at the University Hospital of Basel, will visit Muenster to give insights into the microbiota-immune crosstalk in neuroonflammation. Her presentation – which ois part of the Muenster Neurology Webinar – will be live-streamed. Time: Wednesday, December 13, 5:15 p.m. Place: Online at […]...more
Thu, 02/02/2023
3rd Inflammation & Imaging Symposium in Münster, 11-13 September 2023
Application has opened! We cordially invite you to join this international conference and discuss the latest developments in research on inflammation and the imaging of the immune system with us. The symposium is organised by eight research networks from the University of Münster – CRU 342, CRC 1009, CRC 1450, CRC/TR 128, CRC/TR 332, InFlame, […]...more


Wed, 20/01/2021 | A new study on neurological manifestations of severe COVID-19 reveals nervous system immune deficiency

Patients suffering from COVID-19 can develop concomitant and long-term symptoms in their nervous system. The most common symptom in this context is the loss of the sense of smell and taste, while more severe symptoms such as stroke, cerebral seizures, or meningitis are possible. A team of scientists from the medical faculties at the Universities of Münster and Duisburg-Essen investigated this phenomenon, termed Neuro-COVID. They could demonstrate that immune and interferon responses are weakened in COVID-19 patients. These results were recently published in the journal Immunity.

The research teams applied state-of-the-art single-cell transcription technologies, which help visualize the expression of thousands of genes on a single-cell level. “This allowed us to characterize in detail the immune response of Neuro-COVID in the cerebral fluid at a location near the brain”, says PD Dr. Gerd Meyer zu Hörste, a senior physician in the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital Münster and senior author of the study publication. “From a group of 102 COVID-19 patients, we identified those who developed neurological symptoms and required a cerebral fluid extraction for further diagnosis”, says PD Dr. Dr. Mark Stettner, who is a senior physician in the Depart

Priv.-Doz. Dr-Gerd Meyer zu Hörste (left) and Dr. Michael Heming investigated “Neuro-Covid”.

ment of Neurology at the University Hospital Essen and led the study together with Meyer zu Hörste.

Samples from eight Neuro-COVID patients were collected and sent to Münster for analysis. “An increased number of T cells in the patients’ cerebral fluid had reached a stage of exhaustion”, says Dr. Michael Heming, first author of the study and assistant physician in the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital Münster. Also, the interferon answer of Neuro-COVID patients was reduced compared with viral brain inflammation. Interferons are an essential early defense mechanism for viral diseases. The researchers further found an increased number of dedifferentiated phagocytes in the cerebral fluid.

“These findings indicate a reduced antiviral immune response in Neuro-COVID patients”, says Prof. Christoph Kleinschnitz, Director of the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital Essen. A more detailed understanding of the Neuro-COVID phenomenon is the basis for faster disease detection and improved treatment. “Publication of the study results in a high-class journal such as Immunity is the result of intensive and hard work. Our researchers achieved impressive results within a short time”, says Prof. Wiendl, Director of the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital Münster.