Franka Thurm, Dr.
Research Associate VCF

Contact information
Faculty of Science, Department of Psychology, Institute of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience Section
Technische Universität Dresden
Zellescher Weg 17, 01069, Dresden
E-Mail: franka.thurm@tu-dresden.de
Research Statement
Dr. Franka Thurm (neé Glöckner) works as a researcher at the Department of Psychology, Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience Section (Prof. Shu-Chen Li, Ph.D.), TU Dresden. A central topic of her research focuses on the influences of neuromodulation, cognitive/ physical intervention, and stress on hippocampal-striatal learning and memory systems during child development and in aging and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease).
Scientific Education
2012 | Dr. rer. nat. (Psychology), University of Konstanz; Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Iris-Tatjana Kolassa, Prof. Dr. Thomas Elbert |
2007 | Diploma in Psychology (with distinction), University of Konstanz; Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Frank Neuner, Prof. Dr. Thomas Elbert |
Professional Experience
Since 2012 | Research Associate (Postdoc), Lifespan Developmental Neuroscience, TU Dresden |
2012 | Research Associate (Postdoc), Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz |
2010-2012 | Research Associate, Clinical and Biological Psychology, University of Ulm |
2009 | Research stay abroad (Uganda) |
2007-2012 | Doctoral student, Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz; Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, WIN-Kolleg |
2006 | Research stay abroad (Uganda) |
Other Scientific Activities, Honors, Awards
2013 Karl-und-Charlotte-Bühler-Preis of the TU Dresden for excellent teaching (WS 12/13)
2013 Stiftung-Schmieder-Preis 2012/13 (doctoral thesis)
2008-2010 Person-centered counseling (certified)
2007 VEUK award of the University of Konstanz (diploma thesis)
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed publications
Thurm, F., Antonenko, D., Schlee, W., Kolassa, S., Elbert, T., & Kolassa, I.-T. (2013). Effects of aging and mild cognitive impairment on electrophysiological correlates of performance monitoring. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 35(3), 575-587.
Maftei, M.*, Thurm, F.*, Schnack, C., Tumani, H., Otto, M., Elbert, T., Przybylski, M., Kolassa, I.-T., Manea, M., & von Arnim, C. A. F. (2013). Increased levels of circulating β-amyloid immune complexes in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer’s disease patients. PLoS ONE, 8(7), e68996 *equally contributing
Maftei, M.*, Thurm, F.*, Leirer, V.M., von Arnim, C.A.F., Elbert, T., Przybylski, M., Kolassa, I.-T., & Manea, M. (2012). Antigen bound and free beta-amyloid autoantibodies in serum of healthy adults. PLoS ONE, 7(9), e44516. *equally contributing
Schlee, W., Leirer, V., Kolassa, S., Thurm, F., Elbert, T., & Kolassa, I.-T. (2012). Development of large-scale functional networks over the lifespan. Neurobiology of Aging, 33(10), 2411-2421.
Thurm, F., Scharpf, A., Liebermann, N., Kolassa, S., Elbert, T., Lüchtenberg, D., Woll, A., & Kolassa, I.-T. (2011). Improvement of cognitive function after physical movement training in institutionalized very frail older adults with dementia. Journal of Gerontology and Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(4), 197-208.
Book chapters and other publications
Thurm, F. (2013). Sport bei Multipler Sklerose? Bisherige Erkenntnisse über mögliche neuronale Wirkmechanismen körperlicher Aktivität auf die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit [Exercise in multiple sclerosis? Possible neuronal mechanisms of physical activity on cognitive brain function]. Neurologie und Rehabilitation, 19(4), 221-226.
Thurm, F. (2012). Körperliches Training als wichtiger Bestandteil der geriatrischen Neurorehabilitation [Physical training as an important aspect of geriatric neurorehabilitation]. Neuroreha, 4, 156-160.
Kolassa, I.-T., Glöckner [Thurm], F., Leirer, V.M., & Diener, C. (2010). Neuronale Plastizität bei gesundem und pathologischem Altern [Neuronal plasticity in healthy and pathological aging]. In: Alter(n) gestalten - Medizin, Technik, Umwelt. Häfner, H., Beyreuther, K., Schlicht, W. (Eds.). Springer-Verlag: Berlin, Heidelberg.