LMU Munich University Hospital Biomedical Center
  • Our Labs
  • News
  • Publications
  • Sustainability
  • About us
  • Open positions
  • For Patients
  1. Neuroimmunology-Munich
  2. Our Labs
  3. Thaler Lab  – Immunobiology of autoimmune encephalitis

Thaler Lab  – Immunobiology of autoimmune encephalitis

    • Our Aim

      Autoantibodies against neuro-glial proteins have been identified in several forms of autoimmune encephalitis (AE). They can be directed against neuronal surface antigens or against intracellular proteins. Clinical presentations range from acute to subacute encephalopathy with neurological and psychiatric symptoms to acute life threatening conditions. Although much progress has been made in the treatment of these conditions, there are still many patients suffering from progressive cognitive decline, therapy-refractive seizures, progressive cerebellar ataxia and other symptoms. We therefore aim to understand mechanisms of dysregulated immune responses in the periphery as well as in the central nervous system in these patients in order to develop more effective and specific therapies.

      Our Approach

      To unravel mechanisms how immune cells and autoantibodies mediate neuronal damage in AE. We use a broad spectrum of methods like single cell sorting and sequencing, EBV immortalization of B cells, cell based assays, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, production of recombinant proteins, and a diverse panel of other immunological and molecular biological techniques. Our research is hypothesis driven and oriented on questions arising in clinical practice. We translate clinical findings to research projects by analyzing blood and spinal fluid samples.

      Some of our current projects

      B-cell repertoire in patients with GAD-antibody-associated neurological disorders.

      Antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) are found in a variety of neurological disorders like stiff-person syndrom, cerebellar ataxia, limbic encephalitis, and others. GAD is an intracellular protein located in the GABA-ergic synapse. How and if GAD-antibodies can mediate pathogenicity is still a matter of debate. We previously found that patients with GAD-antibody-associated disorders exhibit a strong dysregulation of peripheral B-cell responses with a high frequency of GAD-reactive B cells in the peripheral blood as well as GAD-antibody producing plasma cells in the bone marrow. Currently, we are analysing the B-cell repertoire in these patients on a single cell level trying to understand features of autoreactive cells and uncovering differences between autoreactive cells in the periphery and in the central nervous system.

      Clinical characterization of patients with autoimmune encephalitis.

      Many insights into symptom constellations, as well as laboratory and MRI findings in patients with AE have been gained in recent years. We contribute to broaden our understanding of these disorders by participating in the German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE), where patients are combined in a common registry and where we contribute to multicentric projects.

      Linking neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in autoimmune encephalitis.

      Many patients with autoimmune encephalitis develop irreversible neurological deficits especially if immune-modulatory treatment is not initiated early after disease onset. However, in some subsets of autoimmune encephalitis even with prompt and aggressive immunotherapy progressive disease is observed. This suggests neurodegenerative mechanisms. We aspire to quantify those by imaging brain atrophy in MRI as well as analyzing neurodegenerative markers. Furthermore, we aim to unravel molecular mechanisms of antibody effects on neuronal cells.

      round bild Franzi Thaler

      Contact

      Dr. med. Franziska Thaler
      franziska.thaler@med.uni-muenchen.de

    • 2022

      Madlener M, Strippel C, Thaler FS, Doppler K, Wandinger KP, Lewerenz J, Ringelstein M, Roessling R, Menge T, Wickel J, Kellingshaus C, Mues S, Kraft A, Linsa A, Tauber SC, Berg FT, Gerner ST, Paliantonis A, Finke A, Priller J, Schirotzek I, Süße M, Sühs KW, Urbanek C, Senel M, Sommer C, Kuempfel T, Pruess H, Fink GR, Leypoldt F, Melzer N, Malter MP; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE). Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-associated neurological syndromes: Clinical and antibody characteristics and therapy response. J Neurol Sci. 2022 Dec 29;445:120540.: 36608627

      Kaaden T, Madlener M, Angstwurm K, Bien CG, Bogarin Y, Doppler K, Finke A, Gerner ST, Reimann G, Häusler M, Handreka R, Hellwig K, Kaufmann M, Kellinghaus C, Koertvelyessy P, Kraft A, Lewerenz J, Menge T, Paliantonis A, von Podewils F, Prüss H, Rauer S, Ringelstein M, Rostásy K, Schirotzek I, Schwabe J, Sokolowski P, Suesse M, Sühs KW, Surges R, Tauber SC, Thaler F, Bergh FT, Urbanek C, Wandinger KP, Wildemann B, Mues S, Zettl U, Leypoldt F, Melzer N, Geis C, Malter M, Kunze A; and the Generate study group. Seizure Semiology in Antibody-Associated Autoimmune Encephalitis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2022 Oct 20;9(6):e200034. 

      Strippel C, Herrera-Rivero M, Wendorff M, Tietz AK, Degenhardt F, Witten A, Schroeter C, Nelke C, Golombeck KS, Madlener M, Rüber T, Ernst L, Racz A, Baumgartner T, Widman G, Doppler K, Thaler F, Siebenbrodt K, Dik A, Kerin C, Räuber S, Gallus M, Kovac S, Grauer OM, Grimm A, Prüss H, Wickel J, Geis C, Lewerenz J, Goebels N, Ringelstein M, Menge T, Tackenberg B, Kellinghaus C, Bien CG, Kraft A, Zettl U, Ismail FS, Ayzenberg I, Urbanek C, Sühs KW, Tauber SC, Mues S, Körtvélyessy P, Markewitz R, Paliantonis A, Elger CE, Surges R, Sommer C, Kümpfel T, Gross CC, Lerche H, Wellmer J, Quesada CM, Then Bergh F, Wandinger KP, Becker AJ, Kunz WS, Meyer Zu Hörste G, Malter MP, Rosenow F, Wiendl H, Kuhlenbäumer G, Leypoldt F, Lieb W, Franke A, Meuth SG, Stoll M, Melzer N; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE). A genome-wide association study in autoimmune neurological syndromes with anti-GAD65 autoantibodies. Brain. 2022 Mar 28:awac119. 

      Grüter T, Möllers FE, Tietz A, Dargvainiene J, Melzer N, Heidbreder A, Strippel C, Kraft A, Höftberger R, Schöberl F, Thaler FS, Wickel J, Chung HY, Seifert F, Tschernatsch M, Nagel M, Lewerenz J, Jarius S, Wildemann BC, de Azevedo L, Heidenreich F, Heusgen R, Hofstadt-van Oy U, Linsa A, Maaß JJ, Menge T, Ringelstein M, Pedrosa DJ, Schill J, Seifert-Held T, Seitz C, Tonner S, Urbanek C, Zittel S, Markewitz R, Korporal-Kuhnke M, Schmitter T, Finke C, Brüggemann N, Bien CI, Kleiter I, Gold R, Wandinger KP, Kuhlenbäumer G, Leypoldt F, Ayzenberg I; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE). Clinical, serological and genetic predictors of response to immunotherapy in anti-IgLON5 disease. Brain. 2022 Mar 8:awac090. 

      2021

      Dürr M, Nissen G, Sühs KW, Schwenkenbecher P, Geis C, Ringelstein M, Hartung HP, Friese MA, Kaufmann M, Malter MP, Madlener M, Thaler FS, Kümpfel T, Senel M, Häusler MG, Schneider H, Bergh FT, Kellinghaus C, Zettl UK, Wandinger KP, Melzer N, Gross CC, Lange P, Dreyhaupt J, Tumani H, Leypoldt F, Lewerenz J; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis. CSF Findings in Acute NMDAR and LGI1 Antibody-Associated Autoimmune Encephalitis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 Oct 25;8(6):e1086. 

      Thaler FS, Zimmermann L, Kammermeier S, Strippel C, Ringelstein M, Kraft A, Sühs K-W,Wickel J, Geis C, Markewitz R, Urbanek C, Sommer C, Doppler K, Penner L, Lewerenz J, Rößling R, Finke C, Prüss H, Melzer N, Wandinger K-P, Leypoldt F, Kümpfel T. Rituximab treatment and long-term outcome of patients with autoimmune encephalitis: real-world evidence from the GENERATE registry. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 Oct 1;8(6):e1088.

      Schwenkenbecher P, Skripuletz T, Lange P, Dürr M, Konen F, Möhn N, Ringelstein M, Menge T, Friese MA, Melzer N, Malter MP, Häusler M, Thaler FS, Stangel M, Lewerenz J, Sühs K-W. Intrathecal antibody production against Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex, and other neurotropic viruses in autoimmune encephalitis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 Aug 24;8(6):e1062

      Gaig C, Compta Y, Heidbreder A, Marti MJ, Titulaer MJ, Crijnen Y, Högl B, Lewerenz J, Erro ME, Garcia-Monco JC, Nigro P, Tambasco N, Patalong-Ogiewa M, Erdler M, Macher S, Berger-Sieczkowski E, Höftberger R, Geis C, Hutterer M, Milán-Tomás A, Martin-Bastida A, Lopez Manzanares L, Quintas S, Höglinger GU, Möhn N, Schoeberl F, Thaler FS, Asioli GM, Provini F, Plazzi G, Berganzo K, Blaabjerg M, Brüggemann N, Farias T, Ng CF, Giordana C, Herrero-San Martín A, Huebra L, Kotschet K, Liendl H, Montojo T, Morata C, Perez Perez J, Puertas I, Seifert-Held T, Seitz C, Mistieri Simabukuro M, Tellez N, Villacieros-Álvarez J, Willekens B, Sabater L, Iranzo A, Santamaria Cano J, Dalmau J, Graus F. Frequency and Characterization of Movement Disorders in Anti-IgLON5 Disease. Neurology. 2021 Aug 11;10.1212.

      2020

      Gerhards R, Pfeffer LK, Lorenz J, Starost L, Nowack L, Thaler FS, Schlüter M, Rübsamen H, Macrini C, Winklmeier S, Mader S, Bronge M, Grönlund H, Federle R, Hsia H-E, Lichtenthaler SF, Merl-Pham J, Hauck SM, Kuhlmann T, Bauer IJ, Beltrán E, Gerdes L-A, Mezydlo A, Bar-Or A, Banwell B, Khademi M, Olsson T, Hohlfeld R, Lassmann H, Kümpfel T, Kawakami N, Meinl E. OMGP as a novel target for pathogenic autoimmunity in the CNS. Acta Neuropathologica Communications. 2020 Nov 30;8(1):207.

      Thaler FS, Bangol B, Biljecki M, Havla J, Schumacher AM, Kümpfel T. Possible link of genetic variants to autoimmunity in GAD-antibody-associated neurological disorders. J Neurol Sci. 2020 Jun 15;413:116860. 

      2019

      Winklmeier S, Schlüter M, Spadaro M, Thaler FS, Vural A, Gerhards R, Macrini C, Mader S, Kurne A, Inan B, Karabudak R, Özbay FG, Esendagli G, Hohlfeld R, Kümpfel T, Meinl E. Identification of circulating MOG-specific B cells in patients with MOG antibodies. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2019 Oct 14;6(6):625. 

      Thaler FS, Thaller AL, Schuh E, Biljecki M, Winklmeier S, Mahler CF, Gerhards R, Völk S, Schnorfeil F, Subklewe M, Hohlfeld R, Kümpfel T, Meinl E. Abundant GAD-reactive B cells in GAD-antibody-associated neurological disorders. Ann Neurol. 2019; 85(3):448-454. 

      Thaler FS, Koriath C, Vollmar C, Bardins S, Kremmyda O, Danek A. Acute frontal eye field infarction: a topodiagnostic challenge. Neurology. 2019;92(4):193-195. 

      2018

      Schubert J, Braemer D, Huttner HB, Gerner ST, Fuhrer H, Melzer N, Dik A, Pruess H, Ly L-T, Fuchs K, Leypoldt F, Nissen G, Schirotzek I, Dohmen C, Bösel J, Lewerenz J, Thaler F, Kuempfel T, Kraft A, Juranek A, Ringelstein M, Suehs K-W, Urbanek C, Scherag A, Geis C, Witte OW, Guenther A. Management and prognostic markers in autoimmune encephalitis patients requiring ICU treatment. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2018;6(1):e514. 

      Spadaro M, Winklmeier S, Beltrán E, Macrini C, Höftberger R, Schuh E, Thaler FS, Gerdes L-A, Laurent SA, Gerhards R, Brändle S, Dornmair K, Breithaupt C, Krumbholz M, Moser M, Kirshnamoorthy G, Kamp F, Jenne D, Hohlfeld R, Kümpfel T, Lassmann H, Kawakami N, Meinl E. Pathogenicity of human antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. Ann Neurol. 2018;84(2):315-328. 

      Mueller SH, Färber A, Prüss H, Melzer N, Golombeck KS, Kümpfel T, Thaler F, Elisak M, Lewerenz J, Kaufmann M, Sühs KW, Ringelstein M, Kellinghaus C, Bien CG, Kraft A, Zettl UK, Ehrlich S, Handreka R, Rostásy K, Then Bergh F, Faiss JH, Lieb W, Franke A, Kuhlenbäumer G, Wandinger KP, Leypoldt F; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE). Genetic predisposition in anti-LGI1 and anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Ann Neurol. 2018;83(4):863-869. 

      Meinl E, Thaler FS, Lichtenthaler SF. Shedding of BAFF/APRIL receptors controls B cells. Trends Immunol. 2018;39(9):673-676. 

      Thaler FS, Catak C, Einhäupl M, Müller S, Seelos K, Wollenweber FA, Kümpfel T. Cerebral small vessel disease caused by a novel heterozygous mutation in HTRA1. J Neurol Sci. 2018;388:19-21. 

      2017

      Thaler FS, Laurent SA, Huber M, Mulazzani M, Dreyling M, Ködel U, Kümpfel T, Straube A, Meinl E, von Baumgarten L. Soluble TACI and soluble BCMA as biomarkers in primary central nervous system lymphoma. Neuro Oncol. 2017; 19(12):1618-1627. 

      Schuh E, Musumeci A, Thaler FS, Laurent SA, Ellwart JW, Bradl M, Hohlfeld R, Krug A, Meinl E. Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells display and shed B cell maturation antigen upon TLR-engagement. J Immunol. 2017;198(8):3081-3088. 

      Feil K, Forbrig R, Thaler FS, Conrad J, Heck S, Dorn F, Pfister HW, Straube A. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome associated with intracranial hypotension. Neurocrit Care. 2017;26(1):103-108. 

      2016

      Spadaro M, Gerdes LA, Krumbholz M, Ertl-Wagner B, Thaler FS, Schuh E, Metz I, Blaschek A, Dick A, Brück W, Hohlfeld R, Meinl E, Kümpfel T. Autoantibodies to MOG in a distinct subgroup of adult multiple sclerosis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2016;3(5):e257. 

      2015

      Hoffmann FS, Hofereiter J, Rübsamen H, Melms J, Schwarz S, Faber H, Weber P, Pütz B, Loleit V, Weber F, Hohlfeld R, Meinl E, Krumbholz M. Fingolimod induces neuroprotective factors in human astrocytes. J Neuroinflammation. 2015; 12:184. 

      Hoffmann FS, Kuhn P-H, Laurent SA, Hauck SM, Berer K, Krumbholz M, Khademi M, Olsson T, Dreyling M, Pfister H-W, Alexander T, Hiepe F, Kümpfel T, Wekerle H, Hohlfeld R, Lichtenthaler SF, Meinl E. The immunoregulator soluble TACI is released by ADAM10 and reflects B cell activation in autoimmunity. J Immunol. 2015; 194(2):542-52.

      Laurent SA, Hoffmann FS°, Kuhn PH°, Cheng Q, Chu Y, Schmidt-Supprian M, Hauck SM, Schuh E, Krumbholz M, Rübsamen H, Wanngren J, Khademi M, Olsson T, Alexander T, Hiepe F, Pfister HW, Weber F, Jenner D, Wekerle H, Hohlfeld R, Lichtenthaler SF, Meinl E. ° FSH and P-HK contributed equally to this work. γ-Secretase directly sheds the survival receptor BCMA from plasma cells. Nat Commun. 2015;6:7333. 

      Hoffmann FS°, Schmidt A°, Dittmann Chevillotte M, Wisskirchen C, Hellmuth JC, Willms S, Gilmore RH, Glas J, Folwaczny M, Müller T, Berg T, Spengler U, Fitzmaurice K, Kelleher D, Reisch N, Rice CM, Endres S, Rothenfusser S. ° FSH and AS contributed equally to this work. Polymorphisms in MDA-5 link protein function to clearance of hepatitis C virus. Hepatology. 2015;61(2):460-70.

      Reinholz M, Heppt MV, Hoffmann FS, Lummel N, Ruzicka T, Lehmann P, Berking C. Transient memory impairment and transient global amnesia induced by photodynamic therapy. British Journal of Dermatology. 2015;173(5): 1258-1262. 

      2014

      Hoffmann FS, Meinl E. B cells in multiple sclerosis: good or bad guys?: An article for 28 May 2014 – World MS Day 2014. Eur J Immunol. 2014;44(5):1247-50. 

      2013

      Hohenauer T, Berking C, Schmidt A, Haferkamp S, Senft D, Kammerbauer C, Fraschka S, Graf SA, Irmler M, Beckers J, Flaig M, Aigner A, Höbel S, Hoffmann FS, Hermeking H, Rothenfusser S, Endres S, Ruzicka T, Besch R. The neural crest transcription factor Brn3a is expressed in melanoma and required for cell cycle progression and survival. EMBO Mol Med. 2013;5(6):919-34. 

      2009

      Schmidt A, Schwerd T, Hamm W, Hellmuth JC, Cui S, Wenzel M, Hoffmann FS, Michallet MC, Besch R, Hopfner KP, Endres S, Rothenfusser S. 5'-triphosphate RNA requires base-paired structures to activate antiviral signaling via RIG-I. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(29):12067-72. 

    • 2022

      Madlener M, Strippel C, Thaler FS, Doppler K, Wandinger KP, Lewerenz J, Ringelstein M, Roessling R, Menge T, Wickel J, Kellingshaus C, Mues S, Kraft A, Linsa A, Tauber SC, Berg FT, Gerner ST, Paliantonis A, Finke A, Priller J, Schirotzek I, Süße M, Sühs KW, Urbanek C, Senel M, Sommer C, Kuempfel T, Pruess H, Fink GR, Leypoldt F, Melzer N, Malter MP; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE). Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-associated neurological syndromes: Clinical and antibody characteristics and therapy response. J Neurol Sci. 2022 Dec 29;445:120540.: 36608627

      Kaaden T, Madlener M, Angstwurm K, Bien CG, Bogarin Y, Doppler K, Finke A, Gerner ST, Reimann G, Häusler M, Handreka R, Hellwig K, Kaufmann M, Kellinghaus C, Koertvelyessy P, Kraft A, Lewerenz J, Menge T, Paliantonis A, von Podewils F, Prüss H, Rauer S, Ringelstein M, Rostásy K, Schirotzek I, Schwabe J, Sokolowski P, Suesse M, Sühs KW, Surges R, Tauber SC, Thaler F, Bergh FT, Urbanek C, Wandinger KP, Wildemann B, Mues S, Zettl U, Leypoldt F, Melzer N, Geis C, Malter M, Kunze A; and the Generate study group. Seizure Semiology in Antibody-Associated Autoimmune Encephalitis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2022 Oct 20;9(6):e200034. 

      Strippel C, Herrera-Rivero M, Wendorff M, Tietz AK, Degenhardt F, Witten A, Schroeter C, Nelke C, Golombeck KS, Madlener M, Rüber T, Ernst L, Racz A, Baumgartner T, Widman G, Doppler K, Thaler F, Siebenbrodt K, Dik A, Kerin C, Räuber S, Gallus M, Kovac S, Grauer OM, Grimm A, Prüss H, Wickel J, Geis C, Lewerenz J, Goebels N, Ringelstein M, Menge T, Tackenberg B, Kellinghaus C, Bien CG, Kraft A, Zettl U, Ismail FS, Ayzenberg I, Urbanek C, Sühs KW, Tauber SC, Mues S, Körtvélyessy P, Markewitz R, Paliantonis A, Elger CE, Surges R, Sommer C, Kümpfel T, Gross CC, Lerche H, Wellmer J, Quesada CM, Then Bergh F, Wandinger KP, Becker AJ, Kunz WS, Meyer Zu Hörste G, Malter MP, Rosenow F, Wiendl H, Kuhlenbäumer G, Leypoldt F, Lieb W, Franke A, Meuth SG, Stoll M, Melzer N; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE). A genome-wide association study in autoimmune neurological syndromes with anti-GAD65 autoantibodies. Brain. 2022 Mar 28:awac119. 

      Grüter T, Möllers FE, Tietz A, Dargvainiene J, Melzer N, Heidbreder A, Strippel C, Kraft A, Höftberger R, Schöberl F, Thaler FS, Wickel J, Chung HY, Seifert F, Tschernatsch M, Nagel M, Lewerenz J, Jarius S, Wildemann BC, de Azevedo L, Heidenreich F, Heusgen R, Hofstadt-van Oy U, Linsa A, Maaß JJ, Menge T, Ringelstein M, Pedrosa DJ, Schill J, Seifert-Held T, Seitz C, Tonner S, Urbanek C, Zittel S, Markewitz R, Korporal-Kuhnke M, Schmitter T, Finke C, Brüggemann N, Bien CI, Kleiter I, Gold R, Wandinger KP, Kuhlenbäumer G, Leypoldt F, Ayzenberg I; German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE). Clinical, serological and genetic predictors of response to immunotherapy in anti-IgLON5 disease. Brain. 2022 Mar 8:awac090. 

      2021

      Thaler FS, Zimmermann L, Kammermeier S, Strippel C, Ringelstein M, Kraft A, Sühs K-W, Wickel J, Geis C, Markewitz R, Urbanek C, Sommer C, Doppler K, Penner L, Lewerenz J, Rößling R, Finke C, Prüss H, Melzer N, Wandinger K-P, Leypoldt F, Kümpfel T. Rituximab treatment and long-term outcome of patients with autoimmune encephalitis: real-world evidence from the GENERATE registry. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 Oct 1;8(6):e1088.

      2019

      Thaler FS, Thaller AL, Schuh E, Biljecki M, Winklmeier S, Mahler CF, Gerhards R, Völk S, Schnorfeil F, Subklewe M, Hohlfeld R, Kümpfel T, Meinl E. Abundant GAD-reactive B cells in GAD-antibody-associated neurological disorders. Ann Neurol. 2019; 85(3):448-454. 

      2017

      Thaler FS, Laurent SA, Huber M, Mulazzani M, Dreyling M, Ködel U, Kümpfel T, Straube A, Meinl E, von Baumgarten L. Soluble TACI and soluble BCMA as biomarkers in primary central nervous system lymphoma. Neuro Oncol. 2017; 19(12):1618-1627. 

      2015

      Laurent SA, Hoffmann FS°, Kuhn PH°, Cheng Q, Chu Y, Schmidt-Supprian M, Hauck SM, Schuh E, Krumbholz M, Rübsamen H, Wanngren J, Khademi M, Olsson T, Alexander T, Hiepe F, Pfister HW, Weber F, Jenner D, Wekerle H, Hohlfeld R, Lichtenthaler SF, Meinl E. ° FSH and P-HK contributed equally to this work. γ-Secretase directly sheds the survival receptor BCMA from plasma cells. Nat Commun. 2015;6:7333. 

    • members thaler lab
      round bild Franzi Thaler

      Franziska Thaler, principal investigator

      Read more about the PI on the next tab


      Round bild Eisenhut

      Katharina Eisenhut, MD and PhD Student

      Ever since medical school I have been intrigued by the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases of the nervous system. During my MD thesis at the Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine at LMU, I conducted a lineage tracing of pericytes in a high-grade glioma mouse model. With the aim of combining experimental research with clinical training, I joined the Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology in 01/2020 as neurology resident and started my PhD in 05/2021. Here, I am investigating the B cell receptor repertoire of patients with GAD65 antibody associated neurological syndromes on a single-cell level.

      Ebru Haholu, HiWi Student


      Alumni

      Michelle Biljecki, PhD Student 

      While pursuing my Bachelor´s degree in nutritional science at the University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart, Germany) I got fascinated in immunology. That’s why I started studying the M.Sc. in molecular cell biology and immunology at the University of Tübingen. After my time in Tübingen I wanted to learn more about Neuroimmunology and applied for the PhD position at the Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology in 2018 as well as for the PhD program of the Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience (GSN). Since then I´m investigating on B cell-mediated immune responses in auto-antibody-associated neurological disorders (SPS, LE). Besides working I am passionate about climbing, table soccer, dancing, and food. Of course also about many other outdoor activities like hiking. 


    • Portrait photo Franzisca Thaler

      PD Dr. med. Franziska Thaler

      As a clinician scientist I am both involved in the care of neuroimmunological patients as well as in performing translational research projects. My scientific work focuses on the B-cell-response in neuroimmunological disorders especially in autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Here, I am particularly interested in neurological disorders associated with antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). Our aim is to understand the immunopathogenesis of these disorders in order to develop more effective and more specific treatment strategies. Furthermore, I am part of the German Network for the Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE) which aims in combining patients with AE in a common registry and coordinating multicentric projects. Additionally, I am member of the Hertie Network of Excellence in Clinical Neuroscience connecting researchers involved in neuroscience throughout Germany. In 2021 I received an independent group leader award of the Clinician Scientist Program by the Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology.

      Medical Education

      01/2022 Venia legendi (Habilitation)

      06/2021 Medical specialist neurology

      05/2011 Medical license (Approbation), approval as a physician by the Bavarian State Medical Association

      2004 – 2011 Medical School, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich; clinical fellowships at UCL London (Institute of Neurology), Jimma University, Ethiopia, and Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

      2007 - 2012 MD thesis, summa cum laude, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich


      Professional Activity

      08/2014 – today Assistant neurologist and research fellow at the Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, LMU Klinikum, Munich; 03/2020 – 02/2021: psychiatry rotation at Klinikum Fünfseenland Gauting

      12/2012-07/2014 Post doctoral fellow at the Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology in the research group of Prof. Edgar Meinl

      12/2011-11/2012 Assistant neurologist at the Department of Neurology, LMU Klinikum, Munich

      09/2011-11/2011 Post doctoral fellow at the Max-Planck-Institute for Neurobiology, Munich


      Awards and Honors

      2021 Independent group leader award - Clinician Scientist Program by the Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)

      Since 2019 Member of the Hertie Network of Excellence in Clinical Neuroscience

      2015 Helmut Bauer Prize for research on Multiple Sclerosis

      2008-2011 Scholarship of the Max Weber Programme, Elitenetzwerk Bavaria

      2007-2008 Research scholarship of the German Research Foundation within the Graduate School „oligonucleotides in cell biology and therapy“


      Memberships:

      German Society of Neurology (DGN), German Network for Research on Autoimmune Encephalitis (GENERATE)

    • We gratefully acknowledge support for our work by the following agencies:

      Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)

      More

      Friedrich Bauer Stiftung

      More

      Gemeinnützige Hertie Stiftung

      More


      Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung

      More


      Novartis Pharma GmbH

      More


      Föfole logo Thaler image funding
      Förderprogramm für Forschung und Lehre (FöFoLe) der Medizinischen Fakultät der LMU

      More


      LMU Excellent

      More


    twitter icon

    Follow us on Twitter

    Contact

    Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology
    University Hospital and Biomedical Center
    Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich

    Director: Prof. Dr. med. Martin Kerschensteiner

    Clinical Team:
    Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich
    Phone: +49 (0) 89 4400 74781

    Research Team:
    Grosshaderner Strasse 9, 82152 Martinsried
    Phone: : +49 (0) 89 2180 71660

    www.neuroimmunology-munich.de

    Send a Mail

    Partners

    BMC – Biomedizinisches Zentrum der LMU München

    Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität München

    SyNergy – Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology

    GSN – Graduate School for Systemtic Neurosciences

    CRC 128 – Collaborative Research Center 128

    CRC 274 – Collaborative Research Center 274

    CRC 870 – Collaborative Research Center 870

    Verein Therapieforschung für MS-Kranke e.V.

    Munich Center for Neurosciences

    Login for editors
    • Imprint
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    © Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology
  • LMU Munich
  • University Hospital
  • Biomedical Center
  • Neuroimmunol...

    • Our Labs
    • News
    • Publications
    • Sustainability
    • About us
    • Open positions
    • For Patients