Projects
Mast cell driven immediate drug hypersensitivity: resolving the specific IgE versus MRGPRX2 conundrum University of Antwerp
Neuro-immune mechanisms of visceral hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Mechanisms and Diagnosis of Mast Cell and Basophil Activation in Rare Hypersensitivity Disorders KU Leuven
Hypersensitivity is an exaggerated response of the immune system to harmless triggers. In Type I hypersensitivity or allergy, effector cells (mast cells and basophils) are activated through allergen-induced cross-linking of surface-bound allergen-specific IgE antibodies, leading to degranulation and systemic release of inflammatory mediators. This can result in a potentially life-threatening rapid-onset clinical syndrome affecting the ...
The Cognitive Modulation of Nociceptive Hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Secondary hyperalgesia is a common symptom in certain chronic pain conditions, contributing to major psychological, social, and economical consequences. It can be experimentally induced in healthy participants using specific protocols of low, middle, and high frequency electrical stimulation.
The main objective of this doctoral research is to examine the effect of cognitive interventions on the development of experimentally induced ...
Neuro-immune mechanisms of visceral and respiratory hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Neuro-immune mechanisms of visceral and airway hypersensitivity. KU Leuven
AsthenesLAB KU Leuven
Aversive bodily sensations such as pain, breathlessness and tinnitus are very common. Initially, they serve an important protective function by motivating behaviors that support recovery and healing. However, when these sensations persist and turn into chronic bodily symptoms, they cease to be protective, and elicit significant suffering, disability, and costs. The interdisciplinary ASTHENES research program aims at improving our ...
Beyond chronic pain as maladaptive: a functional- evolutionary perspective on persistent pain. KU Leuven
My research program tests a novel model of persistent pain under a functional-evolutionary perspective, integrating neuroscience and psychology. The idea is that pain, also when it persists, works as an adaptive dynamic smoke detector identifying dangers and guiding defensive behaviour. To test this hypothesis, I will use, in healthy volunteers, human surrogate models of persistent pain. I argue that persistent pain develops from a dynamic ...
Asthenes: From acute aversive sensations to chronic bodily symptoms. KU Leuven
Aversive sensations such as pain, dyspnea, tinnitus, fatigue, cough… are quite common, and serve an important protective function. In the acute stage, they interrupt ongoing activity, and urge behavioral action that helps to eliminate or reduce the sensation. However, when these sensations persist and turn into chronic bodily symptoms, they cease to be protective, and severely disrupt daily life activities, thereby prolonging suffering and ...