Public Outreach

SFB 1451 Motor Control in Health and Disease

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CRC 1451 meets media: To disseminate the CRC’s research findings on motor control to the public, the CRC’s members present their research findings in various media formats, including press articles, TV reports, and podcasts. Stay up to date with our public outreach activities and browse the latest media reports of CRC 1451.

Autophagy: How fasting and exercise trigger the cells’ recycling programme

The neurology of hand function in the ARD programme: ‘My body. My hands. How they train our brains’

The neurological condition ALS

Autophagy cleanses the cells and can be stimulated by fasting. In this press article, Prof. Natalia Kononenko explains what autophagy is and why it is important for health.

Natalia Kononenko in Apotheken Umschau (07-2026)

The ability of our hands to interact with the world around us defines us as human beings – in everyday life, at work, and in art and culture. We often only realise just how naturally we make use of their complex functions when they are impaired as a result of illness or no longer work as they usually do.

This video provides a vivid overview of the fascinating capabilities of our hands and the central role played by the brain in this, featuring expert commentary from Prof. Christian Grefkes-Hermann and Senior Consultant Dr. Caroline Tscherpel.

Christian Grefkes-Hermann and Caroline Tscherpel in ARD Wissen (06-2026)

The neurological condition ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a rare disease that leads to a loss of motor function and a significant reduction in life expectancy for those affected. Following the death of Hollywood actor Eric Dane from ALS, Hessischer Rundfunk conducted an interview with Prof. Christian Grefkes-Hermann.

Christian Grefkes-Hermann on Hessischer Rundfunk (02- 2026) [The TV report starts at 00:38]

Personalised medicine is also transforming cardiology and neurology

The role of motor skills in memory

New magnetic therapy following a stroke

Christian Grefkes-Hermann in the Frankfurter Rundschau (12- 2025)

In this podcast, Prof. Adele Rüger explains what happens in the brain when memories fade – and why forgetting can sometimes actually be quite useful. She also offers tips on how to remember things better – and explains the role that motor skills play in this.

Adele Rüger in the children’s podcast Kakadu (09- 2025).

In Germany, around 270,000 people suffer a stroke every year, which often leads to a disability. In addition to conventional multi-disciplinary early rehabilitation, the University Hospital Frankfurt has recently started using a technique known as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with the aim of ‘stimulating’ the brain to form new neural networks, thereby leading to improved rehabilitation outcomes.

Christian Grefkes-Hermann on Sat1 Regionalmagazin für Hessen und Rheinland-Pfalz (05- 2025)

TMS treatment following a stroke

Spinal cord circuits and following your instincts

Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and balancing motherhood and academia

In this report, Prof. Christian Grefkes-Hermann and Dr. Caroline Tscherpel discuss transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the context of rehabilitation following a stroke at the University Hospital Frankfurt. TMS, when combined with conventional rehabilitation, can improve patients’ functional outcome.

Christian Grefkes-Hermann and Caroline Tscherpel on Hessenschau (02- 2025)

This podcast episode features an interview with Prof. Graziana Gatto showcasing her academic achievements and sources of motivation, as well as some of the challenges on her journey.

Graziana Gatto in the podcast series Stories of WiN (01-2025)

This podcast episode features an interview with Prof. Natalia Kononenko showcasing her academic achievements and sources of motivation, as well as some of the challenges on her journey.

Natalia Kononenko in the podcast series Stories of WiN (12-2024)