User:Zjnmuf/sandbox/lerche
Prof. Dr. Holger Lerche
Prof. Dr. med. Holger Lerche is a clinical neurologist and epileptologist, serving as Clinical Director and Head of the Department of Neurology and Epileptology at the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH), University of Tübingen, Germany. His career spans clinical practice, research, and leadership roles in national and international neurological associations and collaborative research initiatives. His main research interest is on genetically determined rare neurological disorders with disturbed neuronal excitability, such as epilepsy and migraine. Together with colleagues at the University of Tübingen, Prof. Lerche is exploring the nuanced complexities of gender/sex-differences within the realm of neuroscience.
Education and Career
After completing his medical degree at LMU Munich, Germany, Holger Lerche earned his MD in 1996 under the mentorship of Prof. Frank Lehmann-Horn at the University of Ulm. He performed his postdoctoral training and his residency in clinical neurology at the University of Ulm at the Depts. of Applied Physiology (Head: Prof. Frank Lehmann-Horn) and in the Neurological Clinic (Head: Prof. Albert Ludolph). He obtained his habilitation in neurology in 2000 at the University of Ulm, subsequently becoming a board-certified neurologist in 2001,. and serving as a consultant and head of clinical and experimental epileptology. In the frame of a Heisenberg Fellowship of the German Research Foundation (DFG), he was further trained at the Institute of Neurology at University College London, and the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne.
Since 2009, Prof. Lerche has been leading the Department of Neurology and Epileptology at HIH, University of Tübingen, where he continues to integrate clinical expertise with basic research in epilepsy and related disorders.
Research Interests
Prof. Lerche's research focuses on elucidating the genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying epilepsy and related paroxysmal neurological disorders. His work spans from molecular and cellular investigations of ion channels in cellular systems, neurons and animal models to large-scale genetic studies using state-of-the-art technologies. He combines clinical insights with genetic and functional approaches to advance understanding and to develop therapeutic strategies for these disorders.
Engagement in the Research System
Prof. Lerche is actively involved in shaping the research landscape both nationally and internationally. He has served as Chair of the Genetics Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), President of the German Society for Epileptology and of the German Society of Clinical Neurophysiology. He has been serving as a member of the Board of the Medical Faculty of the University of Tübingen, and as a member in various scientific committees and the Ethical Review Board at the University of Tübingen.
Coordinating Functions in Collaborative Grants and Consortia
Prof. Lerche has been coordinating national and international collaborative research efforts. He currently serves as the spokesperson for the Research Unit "Epileptogenesis of genetic epilepsies”, funded by the DFG, and as the coordinator of the rare disease network Treat-ION on neurological ion channel and transporter disorders, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). His leadership extends to international consortia and initiatives focused on epilepsy genetics and pharmacogenetics.
Supervision
Prof. Lerche is dedicated to mentoring and supervising researchers at various career stages, fostering the development of new generations of scientists in clinical neurology and genetic epilepsy research.
Academic Contributions
His contributions to the field include over 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals, exploring mainly diverse aspects of epilepsy genetics, ion channelopathies, and therapeutic strategies.
Selected Publications:
2. Auffenberg E*, Hedrich UB*, Barbieri R*, Miely D*, …, Lerche H, Gavazzo P, Plesnila N, Freilinger T (2021) Hyperexcitable interneurons trigger cortical spreading depression in an Scn1a migraine model. J Clin Invest 131:e142202. doi:10.1172/JCI142202.
3. Hedrich UBS, Lauxmann S, Wolff M, Synofzik M, Bast T, Binelli A, …, Lerche H (2021) 4-Aminopyridine is a promising treatment option for patients with gain-of-function KCNA2-encephalopathy. Sci Transl Med 13:eaaz4957. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz4957
4. Wolff M*, Johannesen KM*, Hedrich UB*, Masnada S, Rubboli G, Gardella E, ..., Lerche H#, Møller RS#. Genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity suggest therapeutic implications in SCN2A-related disorders. Brain 2017;140:1316-36, doi: 10.1093/brain/awx054
5. Syrbe S*, Hedrich UBS*, Riesch E*, Djémié T*, …, Weckhuysen S#, Lerche H#, Lemke JR#. De novo loss- or gain-of-function mutations in KCNA2 cause epileptic encephalopathy. Nat Genet 2015;47:393-9, doi: 10.1038/ng.3239
6. Schubert J, Siekierska A, Langlois M, May P, …, Esguerra CV, Weber YG, Lerche H. Mutations in STX1B, encoding a presynaptic protein, cause fever-associated epilepsy syndromes. Nat Genet 2014;46:1327-32, doi: 10.1038/ng.3130
Recognition and Awards:
Prof. Lerche has received several awards, such as the Eva-Luise Köhler Research Award for rare diseases (2018), the Heisenberg Fellowship of the DFG (2003-2008) or the Merckle Research Award, University of Ulm (2002).
External Links:
—> correct links will be added and checked prior publishing
- [Mitarbeiter profile at hospital/university/max planck/etc]
- [lab/group website]
- [LinkedIn]
- [ORCID]
- [Google Scholar]
- [Research Gate]
- [curriculum vitae - [pdf/english]