Projects
Spinning out of control: A personalized prediction model for binging behavior in eating and alcohol disorders. KU Leuven
Towards effective, culturally adapted treatment programs for alcohol abusers in Uganda Ghent University
This study aims to develop and evaluate culturally adapted programs for treatment of alcohol abuse in Uganda, by applying a mixed methods, multiple-time series design. Through evaluating key components of effective treatments, based on literature review and on service providers' and users' perspectives and lived experiences, and examining predictors of participants' recovery, guidelines will be developed to implement best practices.
Advancing the quality and effectiveness of alcohol and drug treatment services in Uganda Ghent University
Alcohol and other drug use and its negative consequences have risen to unprecedented levels in Uganda. With a large unmet need for treatment, ensuring its quality and effectiveness is imperative. This study will assess patient-reported outcomes and experiences by adapting and implementing internationally validated tools among a cohort of 150 AOD service users.
Phila(Xhosa for 'Be healthy): working out a trauma together with physical activity. KU Leuven
Physical activity (PA) is an interesting add-on treatment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The efficacy of PA for PTSD in daily life, in particular in first-responders remains unknown. There is a need for more culturesensitive efficacy and effectiveness research and a need to investigate locally adapted behavioural strategies that could improve adherence towards daily life PA. A first aim is to explore motives and barriers for PA ...
Pulling the hairs: Investigating the hair metabolome as a promising approach to characterize the progression of chronic alcoholic liver diseases (METABOLHAIR) University of Antwerp
PET imaging of the mGluR5 receptor in addiction: its role in deficient corticostriatal control and glutamatergic modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission KU Leuven
Addiction is a complex brain disorder, leading to a compulsive obsession to use a substance despite serious detrimental consequences. Apart from a dysfunctional reward system, reduced inhibitory corticostriatal control in drug-seeking and drug-taking1 and vulnerability to addiction2 has been emphasized. Genetic, developmental, and environmental factors are major contributors to addiction risk, but the neurobiological processes that underlie ...
Psychosis as a problem of social interaction KU Leuven
Psychotic disorders are amongst the most impairing mental disorders, affecting up to 3% of mostly young people. Both positive symptoms, such as paranoia (the idea that others intend to harm you) and negative symptoms (e.g. the lack of enjoyment from being with others) are typically social in nature. This research proposal will target these alterations in social interaction as a specific and central characteristic of psychosis. Three ...
SRP-Onderzoekszwaartepunt: The Social and Cognitive Brain Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Characterization of the PPARα-ERRα interaction and crosstalk in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Ghent University
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a continuous spectrum of metabolic liver disorders, ranging from hepatic fat accumulation to the presence of inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis (referred to as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)). Worldwide, 24% of the population suffers from these hepatic disorders, which are often correlated with obesity. Despite the fact that uncontrolled NASH can lead to severe health issues to ...