VISIONS

VISIONS25 BE1 KOMMIT KIDS

Short description
KOMMIT-Kids is a project initiated by the Trialogical Central Council (TZR). Following the model of KOMMIT and comparable international initiatives, it provides children and adolescents (aged 6–17) with a voice in research. As experts of their own health and lived environments, they are enabled to directly articulate which research topics in mental health are most relevant to them. Within a participatory, multi-site consortium structure, these priorities are systematically collected and translated into a “Research Compass for Kids.”

Lead coordination
Prof. Dr. Claudia Calvano
claudia.calvano@fu-berlin.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Bochum–Marburg
Halle–Jena–Magdeburg

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 BE2

Short description
Approximately 85% of the population uses social media regularly. However, its impact on mental health remains insufficiently understood. Current research indicates complex associations that are shaped by specific usage patterns as well as individual characteristics, cognitions, and competencies. LIKES investigates the effects of social media use on mental health across all age groups, examining both beneficial and adverse outcomes while identifying key risk factors. Based on these findings, scientifically grounded and individually adaptable interventions will be developed.

Lead coordination
Berlin–Potsdam, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
ferdinand.hoffmann@charite.de
This is a jointly coordinated consortium project; responsibility for individual subprojects lies with the respective partner sites.

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Bochum–Marburg
Halle–Jena–Magdeburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 BO1

Short description
Novel approaches are required for the psychotherapeutic treatment of children and adolescents. These include intensified research into therapeutic processes and mechanisms of change, as well as increased treatment personalization. To date, both process-oriented research and routine outcome monitoring, along with the necessary instruments in child and adolescent psychotherapy, remain insufficiently developed. This project aims to develop and evaluate a transdiagnostic Core Process Outcome Module for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (COPOM-KiJu). The module is intended to enhance the understanding of therapeutic processes and to improve the effectiveness and individualization of treatment.
Its development will also contribute to quality assurance in psychotherapeutic care for children and adolescents.

Lead coordination
Dr. Anke de Haan
Anke.deHaan@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Bochum–Marburg
Tübingen

Duration
1 September 2025 – 31 August 2028

VISIONS25 BO2

Short description
Individuals experiencing social disadvantage, such as due to migration background, exclusion, or discrimination, are more likely to develop paranoia, i.e., unfounded beliefs that others intend to harm them. In severe cases, this may progress to psychosis. To date, it remains unclear whether the cognitive processes underlying paranoia differ across ethnic groups. In Germany alone, approximately 22 million people have a migration background, making the relationship between social exclusion and mental health a highly relevant societal issue. This project investigates how ethnic diversity, experiences of discrimination, and cognitive biases interact in the development of paranoia. Based on the findings, a culturally adapted treatment for paranoia will be developed and subsequently evaluated in a clinical study.

Lead coordination
Prof. Dr. Mar Rus-Calafell
mar.rus-calafell@ruhr-uni-bochum.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Bochum–Marburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg

Duration
1 September 2025 – 31 December 2027

VISIONS25 BO3

Short description
The number of early retirements due to mental disorders in Germany is steadily increasing. This represents a major societal challenge, particularly in the context of population ageing, strained pension systems, and workforce shortages. A deeper understanding of the prevalence, trajectories, and prevention of mental disorders is therefore essential. 
The researchers integrate two data sources: administrative data from the German Pension Insurance and data from a digital longitudinal cohort study on mental health conducted at the Bochum DZPG site. This enables the analysis of how mental health conditions develop across adolescence and working age, and how they relate to the risk of early retirement. Based on robust empirical evidence, scenario analyses will be developed addressing the implications of mental disorders for working life. The results, particularly regarding occupational health protection and retirement risk, will be translated into practice-oriented outputs for dissemination and application.

Lead coordination
Prof. Dr. Martin Werding (RUB)
martin.werding@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Prof. Dr. Peter Falkai (LMU)
Peter.Falkai@med.uni-muenchen.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Bochum–Marburg
Munich–Augsburg

Duration
1 September 2025 – 31 August 2027

VISIONS25 JE1

Short description
Many individuals experience adverse events in childhood such as abuse, neglect, or violence, so-called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These experiences constitute one of the strongest risk factors for the development of mental disorders later in life. However, the mechanisms by which such early experiences lead to psychopathology remain insufficiently understood, and reliable markers for identifying individuals at elevated risk are lacking.
This project represents a significant step toward more personalized treatment tailored to individual childhood experiences. It investigates psychosocial factors, digital data, blood-based biomarkers, and gene expression profiles in individuals with ACEs in order to identify characteristic patterns (clusters). These will be compared with psychiatric diagnoses, neuroimaging data, and longitudinal clinical trajectories. The resulting markers will be evaluated for their modifiability. If successful, they may enable novel approaches for early detection and targeted interventions specifically tailored to individuals with adverse childhood experiences.

Lead coordination
Dr. Lejla Colic
Lejla.Colic@med.uni-jena.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Halle–Jena–Magdeburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 JE2

Short description
The prevalence of mental health problems is increasing globally, underscoring the importance of prevention, accessible support services, and mental health literacy. Mobile health (mHealth) applications can contribute by providing personalized digital support. However, it remains unclear whether such applications are scalable to population level and whether they effectively reach underserved or high-risk groups. This study evaluates the feasibility of deploying a mental health promotion app in the general population. Key outcomes include user recruitment, engagement, adherence, and user satisfaction, as well as preliminary effects and acceptance across diverse population groups. The app is being co-developed with stakeholders and users to maximize its real-world relevance and impact. In addition, official certification as a Digital Health Application (DiGA) is being pursued to enable integration into healthcare systems.

Lead coordination
Dr. med. Lavinia-Alexandra Steinmann (Halle–Jena–Magdeburg partner site)
Lavinia-Alexandra.Steinmann@med.uni-jena.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Halle–Jena–Magdeburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 JE3

Short description
An increasing number of children and adolescents experience stress-induced mental health problems. This highlights the need to better understand why some individuals are more capable than others of coping effectively with stress and adverse circumstances. At present, the specific psychological mechanisms that enable individuals to manage stress and maintain mental health are not yet fully understood.
The research team builds on previous findings in resilience research and neurobiological change processes. In an initial step, individuals at elevated risk for mental disorders will be studied to identify protective factors across different diagnostic groups. These findings will be further investigated in animal models. Subsequently, methods will be developed and validated to measure these protective factors in humans. The overall aim is to gain a deeper understanding of how individuals cope with stress and what fosters resilience. This knowledge is expected to contribute to improved prevention and more effective treatment of mental disorders.

Lead coordination
DZPG partner site Halle–Jena–Magdeburg under the lead of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU)
Main applicants:
Dr. Annabell Coors (MLU)
annabell.coors.work@gmx.com
Dr. Anna Schnell (LIR)
Co-applicant: Dr. Lisa Hahn (LMU Munich)

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Bochum–Marburg
Halle–Jena–Magdeburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 JE4

Short description
Depressive disorders represent one of the major global health challenges. Approximately one in five individuals will experience depression during their lifetime. A significant clinical problem is that 20–30% of patients do not respond to standard treatments. Consequently, there is an urgent need for biomarkers that can support diagnosis and predict treatment response. Emerging evidence suggests that a subgroup of depression may be driven by neuroinflammatory processes. However, current blood-based biomarkers provide only limited insight into brain-specific pathological processes. This project investigates, for the first time, small extracellular vesicles present in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with treatment-resistant depression. These vesicles may carry critical information about disease mechanisms in the brain. The goal is to identify biomarkers that allow stratification of depression into biologically meaningful subtypes, particularly to detect patients in whom neuroinflammation plays a key role. This could enable targeted treatment approaches, including anti-inflammatory interventions.

Lead coordination
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Alexandra Neyazi
alexandra.ne-yazi@med.ovgu.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Halle–Jena–Magdeburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MA1

Short description
To understand patients’ actual health status, clinicians and researchers must rely on direct patient input. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), in which individuals self-report their health status and quality of life, are particularly important in mental health research. However, designing appropriate instruments and translating responses into meaningful clinical insights remains challenging. This project aims to improve the use of patient surveys in order to strengthen the integration of research and clinical practice.

The project will develop evidence-based recommendations for designing and implementing high-quality questionnaires that are both meaningful for patients and methodologically robust for research purposes. Existing instruments will be critically evaluated to determine whether they adequately capture what matters most to patients and how they can be improved.
The overarching goal is to strengthen the integration of patient perspectives into research and to improve the alignment of healthcare with individual needs.

Lead coordination
Prof. (apl.) Dr. med. Dr. sc. hum. Patrick Bach
patrick.bach@zi-mannheim.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MA2

Short description
Some children are born with an elevated risk for developmental difficulties. For example siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder or infants born preterm. When such developmental differences are identified too late, children often do not receive timely support, which may negatively affect their physical and mental development. Preventive interventions target early signs before severe difficulties emerge, aiming to strengthen resilience and prevent the development of disorders.
This project investigates whether early targeted support in infancy can significantly improve developmental outcomes in at-risk children, including infants at elevated likelihood for autism and preterm-born infants. The goal is to establish early detection and intervention as an effective preventive strategy by developing evidence-based methods that allow timely intervention and positively influence developmental trajectories before maladaptive patterns become established.

Lead coordination
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg
PI: Dr. Laudanska 
Zuzanna.Laudanska@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Co-PI: Prof. Dr. Dr. Marschik
Co-PI: Prof. Dr. Poustka

Participating DZPG partner sites
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MA3

Short description
Stress is a key trigger for both somatic and mental disorders. A central role is played by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s main stress-response system linking the brain, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. Individual stress reactivity is shaped by both environmental factors and genetic predisposition.Adolescence is a particularly important developmental period, as the stress system undergoes major changes that may increase vulnerability to stress-related disorders. Understanding how stress responses develop during this phase can help identify early risk and resilience patterns. This project investigates how stress exposure and genetic factors influence HPA axis functioning during adolescence, with a particular focus on puberty. The aim is to understand why early life stress leads to impaired stress regulation in some individuals but not others. Ultimately, the findings aim to inform early preventive strategies that intervene before maladaptive stress-response patterns become established.

Lead coordination
Svenja Müller 
Svenja.Mueller@zi-mannheim.de
Stephanie Witt
Michael Deuschle (Mannheim partner site)
Robert Kumsta (Bochum partner site)

Participating DZPG partner sites
Bochum–Marburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MA4

Short description
Artificial intelligence, particularly language models capable of processing and analysing texts, offer new opportunities in psychotherapy. These technologies may enable automated detection of symptoms or identification of therapeutic components associated with clinical improvement. Despite their promise, such approaches have been scarcely studied in the German-speaking research context.
This project pursues two main objectives: First, it aims to establish a comprehensive shared database of psychotherapy speech and text data across research institutions. Second, it investigates the application of artificial intelligence in three domains:

1. Detection of clinical symptoms in patient language
2. Identification of effective therapeutic components within clinical conversations
3. Evaluation of state-of-the-art methods for anonymising language data while ensuring data protection

The project integrates fundamental research with clinical application, aiming to develop AI-based tools that improve diagnostic processes and support the individualisation of psychotherapeutic treatment.

Lead coordination
Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim
Department of Molecular Neuroimaging
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gründer
Gerhard.Gruender@zi-mannheim.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Bochum–Marburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MU1

Short description
Mental disorders represent one of the most significant global health challenges. However, there remains a lack of sufficiently precise and continuous data on how these conditions develop at the individual level and which factors contribute to increased risk. A particularly promising approach is the integration of subjective self-reports with sensor-based data (e.g., from smartphones or fitness trackers) and social contextual factors. This combination could enable earlier detection, improved prevention, and more targeted treatment of mental disorders.
The SENSED-MH project integrates multiple data sources:

• Repeated brief daily assessments capturing individuals’ momentary well-being in real-world settings
• Sensor data from digital devices (e.g., movement, sleep, smartphone usage)
• Standardized questionnaires
• Information on social and environmental factors

By combining these heterogeneous data streams, a comprehensive picture of mental health is created, enabling better identification of risk and protective factors. The resulting insights will be translated into scalable digital interventions for early detection and prevention. The goal is to develop novel, real-world applicable approaches for the personalized prevention and treatment of mental disorders.

Lead coordination
Dr. Yannik Terhorst
Yannik.Terhorst@psy.lmu.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Bochum–Marburg
Halle–Jena–Magdeburg
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MU2

Short description
For decades, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia have been treated with drugs targeting dopaminergic neurotransmission in the brain. However, these antipsychotic medications are often insufficiently effective and associated with substantial side effects. Consequently, there is a pressing need for novel pharmacological mechanisms.
Before new compounds can be tested in humans, they are typically evaluated in animal models. However, the translational validity of such preclinical findings is often limited.
This project systematically examines the predictive value of animal studies in the context of antipsychotic efficacy. Through a comprehensive meta-analytic approach, it aims to identify the conditions under which preclinical findings can reliably translate into clinical outcomes in humans.
The overarching goal is to establish an evidence-based framework to improve decision-making in drug development, specifically regarding which preclinical candidates should advance to human trials, thereby accelerating the development of more effective antipsychotic treatments.

Lead coordination
Technical University of Munich, DZPG partner site Munich–Augsburg
Spyridon Siafis
spyridon.siafis@tum.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MU3

Short description
Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia remain difficult to detect early, and predicting their clinical course is challenging. While numerous genetic risk variants have been identified, robust predictive models integrating genetic data with clinical and neurobiological information are still lacking. Such models could enable more individualized prevention and treatment strategies.
This project investigates genetically defined subgroups derived from risk variant patterns. Individuals with similar genetic risk architectures are clustered into biologically meaningful groups.
These genetic stratifications are then evaluated for their ability to predict disease trajectories in at-risk individuals. Furthermore, the project explores optimal approaches for integrating genetic information with clinical assessments and neuroimaging data.
Importantly, individuals with lived experience of mental illness are actively involved to ensure the applicability of the findings in real-world settings.
Ultimately, the project aims to develop predictive biomarkers that improve risk stratification and support clinicians in delivering personalized prevention and treatment strategies.

Lead coordination
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, DZPG site Munich–Augsburg
Ariane Christin Wiegand
Ariane.Wiegand@med.uni-muenchen.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MU4

Short description
In a subset of patients with depression, standard treatments fail to produce sufficient improvement, a condition referred to as treatment-resistant depression. A major barrier to developing personalized therapies is the inaccessibility of brain tissue for mechanistic studies. Patient-derived stem cell models offer an innovative solution, enabling the investigation of individual disease mechanisms in vitro.
In this project, induced pluripotent stem cells are generated from patients with treatment-resistant depression and differentiated into neural tissue models. These patient-specific models are then used to test alternative therapeutic strategies prior to clinical application.
The aim is to identify predictive biomarkers that indicate which treatments are most likely to be effective for individual patients. In the long term, this approach could enable biologically informed patient stratification and more targeted, personalized treatment selection.

Lead coordination
Dr. Sebastian Schmidt
sebastian.schmidt@helmholtz-munich.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Munich–Augsburg

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 MU5

Short description
Depression is characterized by a high risk of relapse, with many patients experiencing recurrence after successful treatment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression. However, optimal strategies for preventing relapse through maintenance rTMS remain insufficiently established.
This project compares two maintenance treatment protocols following initial therapeutic response. It investigates which regimen is more effective in preventing relapse and how each approach influences clinical symptoms as well as neurobiological markers.
The results will inform evidence-based recommendations for the implementation of rTMS maintenance therapy. Additionally, the neuroimaging data collected will contribute to a deeper understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying rTMS effects.

Lead coordination
Severin Schramm
severin.schramm@tum.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Munich–Augsburg
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 TU1

Short description
Gender and gender identity play a significant role in healthcare, including in eating disorders. Historically, eating disorders were primarily associated with women. However, increasing evidence shows that men and individuals from sexual and gender minority groups (LGBTQIA+) are also affected. These groups often experience additional stigma and bias in relation to their condition.
MASC-ED is the first project to systematically investigate how eating disorders manifest across different genders and gender identities. It aims to identify risk factors and symptom patterns that may have been overlooked due to the historical focus on female populations.
Based on these findings, a more inclusive conceptualization of eating disorders will be developed. The project further aims to inform personalized prevention and treatment approaches tailored to the specific mechanisms and needs of diverse groups, ensuring more equitable and effective care.

Lead coordination
Dr. rer. nat. Kathrin Schag
kathrin.schag@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 TU2

Short description
Depressive symptoms occur across a wide range of mental disorders and represent a major clinical challenge. They significantly reduce quality of life and functional capacity. Many therapeutic approaches aim to normalize dysfunctional brain activity patterns; however, access to such interventions is often limited due to structural barriers such as insufficient therapy availability.
This project builds on prior research into cognitive control training and evaluates it within a fully digital clinical trial framework. The study investigates both overall efficacy and individual differences in treatment response. A key objective is to identify predictors of who benefits most from the intervention.
In parallel, a digital infrastructure will be developed to enable fully online clinical evaluation of cognitive-behavioral training programs, facilitating broader access to evidence-based interventions.

Lead coordination
Simone Weller
simone.weller@uni-tuebingen.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Berlin–Potsdam
Tübingen

Duration
TBA

VISIONS25 TU3

Short description
A promising therapeutic approach for addiction and eating disorders is cue exposure therapy using virtual reality (VR). Patients are exposed to computer-generated immersive environments that simulate high-risk situations, such as bars for individuals with alcohol dependence or buffets for those with eating disorders. This allows for safe, controlled exposure and the development of adaptive coping responses. However, robust evidence regarding its efficacy, optimal implementation, and differential effectiveness across patient subgroups is still lacking.
This project evaluates whether VR-based cue exposure offers advantages over conventional therapeutic approaches. It also investigates which technological factors (e.g., VR quality) and which patient characteristics influence treatment outcomes.
The findings are intended to inform reimbursement decisions within statutory health insurance systems and potential inclusion in clinical treatment guidelines, thereby increasing access to VR-based interventions.

Lead coordination
Simone Behrens
Simone.Behrens@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Participating DZPG partner sites
Mannheim–Heidelberg–Ulm
Tübingen

Duration
TBA