Sophie Erhardt

Dr. Sophie Erhardt is Professor in Experimental Psychiatry and research group leader for Neuropsychoimmunology [1] at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. She is also Head of the Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology (FyFa). Fyfa, conducts internationally recognized research and education in physiology, pharmacology, anaesthesiology and intensive care. In addition to her role at FyFa, Sophie represents KI in Karolinska University Hospital’s comprehensive resource for anesthesia, surgery, pre- and post-operative care, and adult intensive care. She also serves as the Academic Coordinator for the collaborative platform between KI and Mayo Clinic, USA, and is a member of its steering board.

Sophie holds several leadership positions in scientific organizations. She is the President of the Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology and President-Elect of the International Society of Tryptophan Research. Additionally, she is a steering board member for Comparative Medicine and the Karolinska Schizophrenia Project at KI. She also serves as Secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’ National Committee for Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience.

Sophie earned her doctoral degree in pharmacology at KI in 2001, focusing on glutamatergic regulation of dopaminergic signaling. In 2002, she completed her postdoctoral training at the University of California San Diego, USA. Upon returning to KI, she established the Neuropsychoimmunology group, became an Associated Professor in 2006, and was appointed Professor in 2016. Since 2022, she has served as Head of Department of Physiology and Pharmacology.

Dr. Sophie Erhardt was awarded the Maltz Prize for Innovative & Promising Schizophrenia Research from the American Brain & Behavior Research Foundation in 2022 and the Arvid Carlsson Award for young scientists in 2023. Sophie is the Head of Dept of Physiology and Pharmacology at KI, the Academic Coordinator for the KI-Mayo Clinic collaboration, the President of the SCNP (Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology), and the President-Elect of the ISTRY (International Society of Tryptophan Research).

Throughout her career, Sophie has authored more than 140 scientific articles and has supervised 16 doctoral students through their thesis defenses, including 10 as main supervisor. She continues to lead the Neuropsychoimmunology group, which now consists of 19 researchers.

[1] http://ki.se/en/fyfa/neuropsychoimmunology.

My research focuses on the kynurenine pathway and its critical role in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia and cognitive dysfunction. Over the past 25 years, I have contributed to fundamental discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of how immune activation influences brain function through metabolites such as kynurenic acid (KYNA).

A key breakthrough in my work was identifying that KAT III, rather than KAT II, is the primary enzyme responsible for KYNA synthesis during immune activation. This finding has opened new therapeutic avenues, leading to the development of novel KAT III inhibitors currently in advanced stages of drug discovery. These inhibitors hold promise for treating immune-induced psychosis and cognitive decline, representing a next-generation strategy in neuropsychiatric drug development.

In parallel, my research explores biomarkers like picolinic acid (PIC), which may serve as predictive tools for suicide risk and early intervention. By integrating experimental neuroscience, clinical psychiatry, and drug development, my lab aims to bridge the gap between basic research and precision medicine. We focus on identifying biomarkers that enable early diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, and monitor therapeutic responses, thereby optimizing clinical outcomes.

Our multidisciplinary approach combines advanced technologies and cross-sector collaborations, spanning psychiatry, neurology, immunology, pharmacology, and bioinformatics. This synergy fosters innovative strategies to understand and treat psychotic disorders and cognitive impairments, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.

Recognized internationally, my work has been honored with awards such as the Arvid Carlsson Prize and the Maltz Prize for Innovative Schizophrenia Research. Supported by SciLifeLab’s Drug Discovery and Development platform, our ongoing projects continue to push the boundaries of neuropsychopharmacology and biomarker research.

I have over 25 years of experience teaching pharmacology at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with a particular focus on medical and biomedical education. My teaching expertise covers a wide range of topics, including neuropsychopharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, and the pharmacology of immune and inflammatory systems.

I have served as course coordinator for the “Single Subject Course in Pharmacology” (15 credits) at the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, for ten years. In this role, I was responsible for course planning, student admissions, curriculum development, examination, and course evaluation.

Currently, I am responsible for the pharmacology content in modules 1, 3, and 4 of BV4 in semester 2 of the medical program at Karolinska Institutet (läkarlinjen). I also contribute to a variety of courses organized by the Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, including courses in the Medical Informatics, Biomedicine, and Optometry programs.

My teaching activities include lectures, group seminars, laboratory supervision, case-based learning, and examination design. I have extensive experience in supervising laboratory exercises and leading group discussions, as well as evaluating both oral and written examinations. My commitment to high-quality education is reflected in consistently positive student evaluations and active involvement in curriculum development.

In summary, my teaching philosophy is grounded in fostering an engaging and inclusive learning environment, promoting critical thinking, and integrating the latest research advances into my teaching.