Dr. Sarah Holtfrerich
Postdoctoral Researcher
Neuroendocrinology
Address
Universität Hamburg
Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
Department Biology
Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals
Neuroendocrinology
Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3
20146 Hamburg
Office
Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals
Room: 412
Contact
Tel: +49 40 42838 - 9213
Fax: +49 40 42838 - 9718
Academic Career
| since 2014 |
PhD student and research associate, Research Group Neuroendokrinology |
| 2010 - 2013 | M. Sc. Biology, University of Hamburg Master thesis: Correlation between testosterone and baby schema –the influence of testosterone on attention and decision processes. Supervisor: Prof. jun. Dr. Esther Diekhof |
| 2006 - 2009 | B. Sc. Biology, University of Hamburg Bachelor thesis: Emotional calls of group members in spectacled parrotlets (Forpus conspicillatus). Supervisor: Dr. Ralf Wanker |
Research interests
- Neuronal and endocrinological processes in the handling of key stimuli e.g. baby schema
- Interaction between endogenous and exogenous hormone concentrations.
I am interested in neuronal connections between selective attention on baby schema stimuli and the habitual hormonal status. In particular, I am looking at the interactions between exogenous oxytocin and endogenous testosterone in humans, especially in brain regions with high frequency of oxytocin receptors.
Publications
- Holtfrerich SKC, Knipper S, Purwins J, Castens J, Beyer B, Schlomm T, Diekhof EK (2020). The impact of long-term androgen deprivation therapy on cognitive function and socioeconomic decision making in prostate cancer patients. Psycho-Oncology, 29 (8): 1338-1346.
- Diekhof EK, Korf S, Ott F, Schädlich C, Holtfrerich SKC (2020). Avoidance Learning Across the Menstrual Cycle: A Conceptual Replication. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 11: 231. Part of the Research Topic “Recent Progress and Perspectives in Neurosteroid Research”
- Diekhof EK, Reimers L, Holtfrerich SKC (2019). Hormonal Modulation of Reinforcement Learning and Reward-Related Processes – A Role for 17ß-Estradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone, in: Schultheiss, O., Mehta, P. (Eds.), Routledge International Handbook of Social Neuroendocrinology. Routledge, London and New York, 420–441.
- Holtfrerich SKC, Pfister R, El Gammal AT, Bellon E, Diekhof EK (2018). Endogenous testosterone and exogenous oxytocin influence the response to baby schema in the female brain. Scientific Reports. 8:7672, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-26020-4
- Jakob K, Ehrentreich H, Holtfrerich SKC, Reimers L, Diekhof EK (2018). DAT1-Genotype and Menstrual Cycle, but Not Hormonal Contraception, Modulate Reinforcement Learning: Preliminary Evidence. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9: 60. Part of the Research Topic “Steroids and the Brain”
- Holtfrerich SKC, Schwarz KA, Sprenger C, Reimers L, Diekhof EK (2016). Endogenous Testosterone and Exogenous Oxytocin Modulate Attention Processing of Infant Faces. PLoS One. 2016 Nov 18;11(11):e0166617. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166617. eCollection 2016.