How Hormones and the Brain Shape Development Together
In the Pediatric Neuroendocrinology Research Group, we investigate how hormones influence the developing brain of children and adolescents—especially during sensitive developmental periods such as puberty.
Focus of Our Research
While psychiatric disorders are a leading cause of disease burden and healthcare costs in children and adolescents, the impact of hormonal changes on the onset and progression of mental health conditions during childhood and adolescence is not yet fully understood. At the same time, children with endocrine disorders show an increased risk for developing psychological problems. For example, deviations in pubertal development have been linked to a higher risk of psychiatric disorders.
Our Approach
Our research group combines clinical studies with epidemiological research, genetic epidemiology, and neuroscientific methods—particularly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)—to uncover the complex interplay between hormonal changes and mental health. A central focus is placed on puberty, a sensitive period for the emergence of psychiatric conditions.
- Investigating the role of hormones in mental health among children and adolescents using epidemiological methods: In large-scale studies, we analyze how hormonal fluctuations are associated with the development of mental health disorders.
- Unraveling the influence of pubertal development on functional brain connectivity using fMRI: We examine how hormonal changes during puberty affect neural networks and how this relates to behavior and emotional regulation.
- Characterizing the psychiatric risk profile of children and adolescents with endocrine disorders: Our goal is to understand how endocrine conditions and their treatments impact mental health, in order to derive preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Dr. med.
Lars Dinkelbach
Klinik für Kinderheilkunde II