Institute of Systems Motor Science (ISMS)
The Institute of Systems Motor Science (ISMS), located in the Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), is dedicated to the study of brain systems engaged in the execution and control of human movements both in healthy subjects and patients with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders of all ages using different methods including psychophysical behavioral tasks, neurophysiological techniques, e.g. electrical and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), EEG, and brain imaging (structural and functional MRI).
The Institute has emerged from the former Department of Pediatric and Adult Movement Disorders and Neuropsychiatry affiliated to the Institute of Neurogenetics. Given its close links to the Institute of Neurogenetics and the Department of Neurology, the Institute of Systems Motor Science serves as an interdisciplinary interface in the fields of Neurology, Neurogenetics, but also Human Genetics, Neuropediatrics, (Neuro-)psychiatry, and Neuroradiology. This is true for its various research projects often carried out in cooperation with other groups and Departments and also for its engagement in the clinical care of patients. Thus, in addition to joint research projects, there are joint out-patient clinics with colleagues from the Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and the Institutes of Neurogenetics and Humans Genetics for patients with a large spectrum of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases including adult and pediatric movements disorders, e.g. dystonia, tics and Tourette syndrome, Huntington’s disease, ataxias, and many other, often rare conditions. There are strong links between the Institute of Systems Motor Science and the Lübeck Centre for Rare Diseases.