CLIPSLAB: The Clinical Psychophysiology Laboratory

The Clinical Psychophysiology Laboratory (CLIPSLAB) is headed by Prof. Dr. André Schulz).

CLIPSLAB is designed for the experimental investigation of psychophysiological processes that are important for health and the development or maintenance of chronic physical conditions and mental disorders, such as cardiovascular disorders, obesity and disordered eating, eating disorders and anxiety disorders. The aim of this research is to develop strategies for better intervention and prevention by improving our knowledge of bio-behavioural mechanisms and nature-nurture interactions.

CLIPSLAB consists of a suite of 4 custom-built, independent rooms (1 with Faraday cage) for the non-invasive monitoring of psychophysiological responses to a wide range of psychologically relevant stimuli and situations, including pictures, videos, auditory stimuli, and complex social-interactive paradigms. The equipment includes bio-amplifiers for the monitoring of central-nervous-system (4 X 64-channel EEG), cardiovascular (continuous blood pressure, ECG, impedance cardiography, photoplethysmography), electrodermal (skin conductance), respiratory (respiration frequency), gastrointestinal (electrogastrogram), electrooculographical and electromyographical activity. In addition, there are amplifiers for ambulatory monitoring, partially portable amplifier systems (ECG, EMG, EDA), equipment for transcranial magnetic stimulation, including a neuro-navigator and 1 biofeedback/neurofeedback device.

Research in CLIPSLAB is carried out by staff and students, under appropriate supervision by staff experienced in psychophysiological techniques.