Professor Dr Reinhard Hohlfeld
- Section Neurosciences
- Location München, Germany
- Election year 2005
Research
Research Priorities: Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), regulatory mechanisms of autoreactive immune cells, role of the microbiota in MS, development of therapies
Reinhard Hohlfeld is a German neurologist and neuroscientist. He researches autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, particularly Multiple Sclerosis (MS). His main interest lies in elucidating neuroimmunological disease mechanisms and identifying molecules that can serve as biomarkers. His research contributes to the development of new therapies.
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks substances in the body itself. The most common autoimmune disease of the nervous system is multiple sclerosis (MS). This disease affects the brain and spinal cord, and patients suffer from symptoms including sensory disturbances, motor disorders such as gait disturbances, and concentration problems.
Identical twins, where one twin is healthy and the other has MS, offer a new and particularly promising approach to researching the mechanisms underlying the development of MS. Such ‘discordant’ identical twin pairs offer excellent conditions for researching, among other things, the role of the intestinal flora (microbiota) in the development of MS and the earliest stages of MS.
Reinhard Hohlfeld is a German neurologist and neuroscientist. He researches autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, particularly Multiple Sclerosis (MS). His main interest lies in elucidating neuroimmunological disease mechanisms and identifying molecules that can serve as biomarkers. His research contributes to the development of new therapies.
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks substances in the body itself. The most common autoimmune disease of the nervous system is multiple sclerosis (MS). This disease affects the brain and spinal cord, and patients suffer from symptoms including sensory disturbances, motor disorders such as gait disturbances, and concentration problems.
Identical twins, where one twin is healthy and the other has MS, offer a new and particularly promising approach to researching the mechanisms underlying the development of MS. Such ‘discordant’ identical twin pairs offer excellent conditions for researching, among other things, the role of the intestinal flora (microbiota) in the development of MS and the earliest stages of MS.
Career
- since 2017 Professor Emeritus
- 1999-2018 Founding Director, Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2004 Visiting Professor, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- 1999 Jacobsen Visiting Professor, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- 1994 Visiting Professor, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- since 1990 Professor of Neurology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- 1987-1989 Heisenberg Fellow, Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA
- 1981-1987 Specialist Training in Neurology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- 1979-1981 Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology (since 2017: Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, MPI-IE), Freiburg
- 1979 Doctorate (MD/PhD)
- 1971-1979 Medical Studies, University of Cologne, Cologne, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany, and University of London, London, UK
Functions
- since 2022 External Scientific Member, Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (MPG-BI), Planegg, Germany
- 2019 Fellow, European Academy of Neurology (EAN)
- 2015-2019 Member, International Medical and Scientific Board, MSIF
- since 2015 Member, Scientific Steering Board, International Progressive MS Alliance
- 2012-2018 Member, Steering Board, Collaborative Research Centre/Transregio (TRR) 128 “Initiating/ Effector versus Regulatory Mechanisms in Multiple Sclerosis – Progress towards Tackling the Disease”, German Research Foundation (DFG), Germany
- 2001-2011 Spokesperson, Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 571 “Autoimmune Reactions: From Manifestations and Mechanisms to Therapy”, DFG, Germany
- 1997-2001 Member, Executive Committee, European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)
- since 1996 Member, International Advisory Board and Executive Board, International Society for Neuroimmunology (ISNI)
- Member, Editorial Board: Brain, Multiple Sclerosis Journal, Neurology
Projects
- since 2017 Associate Investigator, Cluster of Excellence (EXC) 1010 “Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)”, DFG, Germany
- 2012-2020 Co-Lead, Subproject “Synoptic analysis of adaptive immune reactions in very early multiple sclerosis: Repertoires and target antigens of B and T cells”, TRR 128, DFG, Germany
- 2012-2020 Co-Lead, Subproject “B cells and B cell directed therapies in CNS inflammation”, TRR 128, DFG, Germany
- 2012-2018 Contributing Scientist, EXC 1010 “Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)”, DFG, Germany
- 2001-2011 Co-Lead, Subproject “Antigen recognition and presentation in target organs of neuroimmunological diseases”, CRC 571, DFG, Germany
- 2001-2004 Contributing Scientist, Research Training Groups (GRK) 688 “Neurotraumatology and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation”, DFG, Germany
Honours and Memberships
- 2019 Honorary Member, Medical Advisory Board, German Multiple Sclerosis Society (DMSG), Germany
- 2019 Wolfgang-Peisser Medal, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2019 Honorary Doctorate, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- 2016 Ursula Späth Prize, AMSEL Foundation Ursula Späth, Stuttgart, Germany
- since 2006 External Member, The Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften (MPG), Munich, Germany
- 2006 Käthe Hammersen Prize, DMSG, Germany
- since 2005 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
- 2004 Sobek Research Prize, Roman, Marga and Mareille Sobek-Foundation, Renningen, Germany
- since 1999 Honorary Member, Belgian Neurological Society, Belgium
- 1991 Sanofi Prize, German Society for Muscular Diseases (DGM), Germany
- 1987-1990 Heisenberg Fellowship, DFG, Germany
- 1983 Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize, DFG, Germany
- 1983 Duchenne-Erb Prize, DGM, Germany
- 1980 Claude Bernard Prize, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
- 1979-1981 Postdoctoral Fellowship, DFG
- 1971-1978 Scholarship, German Academic Scholarship Foundation, Germany