Petronella Kettunen

Tel: 031-342 07 00
petronella.kettunen@vgregion.se

Research Area / Research Interests
I am interested in understanding how our cognitive abilities are affected throughout life, including how cognition is influenced by stress-related mental health issues.

I have a background in neuroscience and have spent the past twenty years working with cognitive functions in healthy individuals as well as in various cognitive disorders, particularly in aging populations. Within this field, I have worked to improve the diagnostics of cognitive diseases using fluid biomarkers, brain imaging, and neuropsychological test data. I have also investigated how socioeconomic and lifestyle factors affect cognitive ability and the risk of developing cognitive disorders.

Ongoing Research Studies
My current research focuses on understanding how cognition is affected by stress-related mental health issues. I also examine how stress sensitivity varies between individuals and what factors influence a person’s sensitivity to stress. Additionally, I study whether cognitive impairment or cognitive disease may contribute to stress-related mental health problems and hinder recovery and return to work after sick leave due to stress-related illness. I am also interested in continuing to use new technologies, such as machine learning and AI, to identify variables that influence stress-related illness and cognitive difficulties.

Teaching and Supervision
I am the main supervisor for one PhD student and one postdoc, and co-supervisor for three PhD students and one postdoc at the University of Gothenburg. I also supervise students at the bachelor's and master's levels in various programs at the University of Gothenburg, including the medical program.