Projects
Studying the novel Mrgprb2/X2-mediated signaling pathway as driver of aberrant mast cell functioning in the colon and its resulting effects on visceral hypersensitivity associated with irritable bowel syndrome. University of Antwerp
Study on the mechanisms underlying mast cell activation in postinfectious visceral hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic discomfort and abdominal pain associated with altered defecation in the absence of an organic cause. It is becoming increasingly clear that mast cell activation, leading to activation and sensitization of afferent nerves, plays a crucial role in abnormal visceral pain sensation (visceral hypersensitivity), one of the hallmarks of IBS. However, the ...
Study on the mechanisms underlying mast cell activation in postinfectious visceral hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic discomfort and abdominal pain associated with altered defecation in the absence of an organic cause. It is becoming increasingly clear that mast cell activation, leading to activation and sensitization of afferent nerves, plays a crucial role in abnormal visceral pain sensation (visceral hypersensitivity), one of the hallmarks of IBS. However, the ...
Mast cell driven immediate drug hypersensitivity: resolving the specific IgE versus MRGPRX2 conundrum University of Antwerp
Research on new mechanisms underlying visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome KU Leuven
With a prevalence of 4-10%, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently one of the most frequently occurring gastrointestinal (GI) disorders worldwide. Effective treatment options for IBS patients are lacking, which is mainly attributed by a poor understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. In this project, I aim to further unravel the mechanisms that underly aberrant pain signaling and visceral hypersensitivity in IBS. ...
Investigating the mechanisms behind multisensory hypersensitivity in human experimental models of pain hyperalgesia KU Leuven
Chronic pain patients show hypersensitivity to non-nociceptive sensory stimuli such as visual stimuli, odors and other somatic symptoms. This phenomenon has been labelled Multisensory Hypersensitivity (MHS). By using experimental models of neuropathic pain in human volunteers we observed that hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli, a key feature of sensitized nociceptive pathways, was accompanied by increased responsiveness to non-nociceptive ...
Neuro-immune mechanisms of visceral hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Investigating the mechanisms behind multisensory hypersensitivity in human experimental models of pain hyperalgesia KU Leuven
Chronic pain patients show hypersensitivity to non-nociceptive sensory stimuli such as visual stimuli, odors and other somatic symptoms. This phenomenon has been labelled Multisensory Hypersensitivity (MHS). By using experimental models of neuropathic pain in human volunteers we observed that hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli, a key feature of sensitized nociceptive pathways, was accompanied by increased responsiveness to non-nociceptive ...
Pinpointing obsessive-compulsive symptom severity: Assessing hypersensitivity for symptom-eliciting visual cues using (frequency-tagging) EEG, eye tracking and stress physiology responses KU Leuven
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disabling psychiatric disorder affecting 2-2.5% of the population. It is characterized by anxiety-provoking obsessions and time-consuming compulsions. The clinical expression of OCD is highly heterogenous and available assessment tools entail many limitations. In addition, OCD is associated with numerous comorbidities, which complicate diagnosis and personalized treatment. Against this background, ...