Dr. Reiner Sprengelmeyer's research interest is in the field of clinical and cognitive human neuropsychology and neuropsychiatry, with emphasis on neuropsychological deficits associated with basal ganglia disorders (Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease) as well as neuropsychiatric disorders (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Schizophrenia).

Main focus of research is the neural substrate of facial expression recognition, particularly fear and disgust, and other aspects of social cognition. Recent work includes the FEEST, a neuropsychological test which aims to assess deficits in emotion recognition in people suffering from brain damage.