Curriculum
Sven Benson is Associate Professor at the Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. After completing his studies in psychology at the University of Trier, he received his PhD from the University of Duisburg-Essen in 2008 and his habilitation in 2013. In 2015 he was appointed as an adjunct professor. Since 2021 Sven Benson is full professor and director of the newly founded Institute for Medical Education.
Interests
My research interests primarily focus on systemic inflammation and pain. Using experimental endotoxemia, we investigate the interaction between pain and negative emotions in the context of systemic inflammation. In addition, we analyze the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia.
Selected publications
Pretzell I, Fleischhauer A, Mavroeidi I, Prasuhn N, Kaminski K, Bender N, Grünwald V, Holly J, Hörbelt-Grünheidt T, Pakull T, Rosery V, Schürmann H, Bauer S, Siveke JT, Wiesweg M, Zimmer L, Schadendorf D, Schuler M, Benson S (2026). MyCODE: a prospective evaluation of lay-language molecular tumor board protocols in precision oncology. Oncologist. 31(5):oyag119.
Schmidt J, Reinhold J, Rohn J, Schedlowski M, Engler H, Elsenbruch S, Benson S (2025). Placebo effects improve sickness symptoms and drug efficacy during systemic inflammation: A randomized controlled trial in human experimental endotoxemia. BMC Medicine. 23:455.
Peters L, Hartmann H, Bingel U, Benson S (2025). Der Placebo-Effekt: Wissenswertes für Gesundheitsberufe. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Griebenow R, Schmidt J, Herrmann H, Benson S (2025). Evidence-informed language: interpretation and impact on intentions to treat - Results of an online survey of medical students and specialists in German-speaking countries. BMJ Open. 15:e082907.
Benson S, Labrenz F, Kotulla S, Brotte L, Rödder P, Tebbe B, Theysohn N, Engler H, Elsenbruch S. (2023). Amplified gut feelings under inflammation and depressed mood: A randomized fMRI trial on interoceptive pain in healthy volunteers. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 12:132-137.
Lasselin J, Lekander M, Benson S, Schedlowski M, Engler H (2021). Sick for Science: Experimental endotoxemia as a translational tool to develop and test new therapies for inflammation-associated depression. Molecular Psychiatry. 26: 3672–3683.
Benson S, Engler H, Wegner A, Schedlowski M, Elsenbruch S (2020). Elucidating vulnerability to inflammation-induced hyperalgesia: Predictors of increased musculoskeletal pain sensitivity during experimental endotoxemia. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. 88: 302-307.
Benson S, Hagen S, Hoffmann O, Pasler A, Bingel U, Schedlowski M, Peters J, Elsenbruch S, Frey UH (2019). Can a brief psychological expectancy intervention improve postoperative pain? A randomized, controlled trial in breast cancer patients. Pain. 160: 1562-1571.
Benson S, Engler H, Wegner A, Rebernik L, Spreitzer I, Schedlowski M, Elsenbruch S (2017). What makes you feel sick after inflammation? Predictors of acute and persisting physical sickness symptoms induced by experimental endotoxemia. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 102: 141-151.
Engler H, Brendt P, Wischermann J, Wegner A, Röhling R, Schoemberg T, Meyer U, Gold R, Peters P, Benson S, Schedlowski M (2017). Selective increase of cerebrospinal fluid IL-6 during experimental endotoxemia in humans: association with depressive symptoms. Molecular Psychiatry. 22: 1448-1454.
