The Magnetic Resonance Center at the University Hospital of Psychiatry (MRZ-PUK) is a  Technology Platform of the UZH.

Insight into the brain

The platform specializes in researching neurobiological changes associated with mental illness in people of all ages, from children and adolescents to the elderly - for example in developmental disorders, depression, psychosis, addiction and dementia.

The aim is to better characterize individual disease processes and to better understand the underlying pathological mechanisms - an important basis for personalized medicine.

Modern imaging in psychiatry: more precise diagnoses, better therapies

Psychiatric disorders, including age-related neurodegenerative diseases, are among the most common, most personally stressful and economically most consequential health problems. Despite their enormous impact, there is still a considerable need for research in psychiatry in order to lay the foundations for more efficient and sustainable therapies.

Early detection is crucial, as mental illnesses are often difficult to diagnose, especially in children and adolescents. However, modern technologies make it possible to identify pathological brain changes at an early stage, long before clinical symptoms appear.

Imaging techniques play a central role as they precisely record individual disease processes and significantly improve diagnostics. This facilitates the selection of suitable therapies and supports personalized medicine that goes beyond traditional psychiatric diagnoses. By integrating psychological and neuropsychological factors, customized treatment approaches can be developed that lead to better treatment outcomes in the long term.