Projects
Detection of somatic mutations in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with non-acquired drug-resistant epilepsy. University of Antwerp
Prevalence of epilepsy and sleep-wake disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease KU Leuven
Translocator protein expression in animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy and Huntington's Disease. University of Antwerp
Advances in epilepsy research by means of kernel methods. KU Leuven
Epilepsy is a well-known brain disorder that is typically associated with convulsive unprovoked seizures. Unfortunately, there are still many unknowns concerning its diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. With this project, we aim to improve our understanding of the effects that epilepsy has on different physiological mechanisms, in particular those controlling heart rate and respiration. To achieve this goal, a close collaboration between ...
Prospective validation of electroencephalography-correlated functional MRI (EEG-MRI) in the presurgical work-up for epilepsy surgery. KU Leuven
The role of the locus coeruleus noradrenergic system in seizures and epilepsy Ghent University
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting upwards of 1% of the population, of which one in three patients do not respond to available antiepileptic medication. This can be at least partially attributed to a poor understanding of mechanisms underlying seizures and epilepsy. In recent experiments, my colleagues and I have gathered compelling evidence that hippocampal seizures are associated with a temporary strong release of ...
Chemogenetic modulation of CX3CR1+ cells in a mouse model of drug-resistant limbic epilepsy. Vrije Universiteit Brussel
epilepsy with a high unmet medical need. Microglia, the brain
resident CX3CR1+ macrophages, are in close interaction with
neuronal cells, both via indirect (e.g. release of soluble mediators
such as inflammatory cytokines) and direct (e.g. synaptic pruning)
contacts. Both modes of gliocommunication seem able to alter the
excitatory/inhibitory ...
Molecular and functional studies of the unconventional RabGAP TBC1D24, a protein that connects epilepsy to the regulation of synaptic function KU Leuven
Defects in synaptic vesicle trafficking are moving to the center stage of epilepsy research, and mutations in TBC1D24 were recently shown to cause epilepsy and DOORS syndrome. TBC1D24 encodes a protein that we connected to the regulation of protein turnover at presynaptic terminals, a process dependent on vesicle trafficking. However, how pathogenic mutations affect TBC1D24 function is enigmatic. In addition, no strategies to mitigate the ...
Study of the central neurobiochemical alterations elicited by modulation of the AT4 receptor/insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), therapeutic pprospects for cognitive dysfunction and limbic epilepsy Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The renin-angiotensin system is recognized as the most powerful signalling system for controlling sodium balance, body fluid volumes and arterial blood pressure. The major effector peptide of this system is angiotensin II (Ang II), which causes its hypertensive effects via binding to the AT1 receptor [1]. A new field of research opened when Fisher-Ferraro and co-workers discovered in 1971 an independent angiotensin system in the ...