Neuroscience
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Vision and mission
The nervous system is the most complex and fascinating organ of the human body. The delicate interplay of many types of neurons and other cells in and outside the brain critically determines the wellbeing and health of the individual. Our nervous system is involved in virtually all our functions.
The brain relies heavily on sensory input from the outside world, thanks to a wide range of specialized organs and receptors. These include smelling, seeing, hearing, tasting, and feeling. Muscles have a pivotal role in translating the output of the brain into meaningful actions. All information received by the central nervous system eventually results in motor output, like speaking or moving, but also in autonomic and endocrine output, regulating sleep, breathing, or intestinal functions.
Collaboration is key
We are committed to performing cutting-edge patient care, research, teaching, and training to enable these activities by curiosity-driven and clinically driven laboratory and clinical research. We value master’s students, PhD students, and Postdocs as potential drivers of innovation, as well as experienced technicians, and other support staff as guardians of our work's quality and continuity.
The principal investigators who lead the basic and clinical research together with diagnostic groups are committed to fostering a collaborative, open culture to ensure good conduct, exchange of ideas, training, and career management. We aim to reach out to peers and the general public, within and outside the organization, both nationally and internationally, to maximize the development and impact of our programs.
“Overlap and collaboration between the research themes is a key factor for success.”
About us
Prof. Jan Verschuuren, MD, PhD, neurologist, head of the Department of Neurology, and chair of the Neuroscience research theme. His main research focus is on neuromuscular diseases, especially muscle disorders and neuromuscular synapses.
Prof. Arn van den Maagdenberg, PhD, neurogeneticist and neuroscientist, member of the management team of the Neuroscience research theme. His main research focus is on primary headache disorders, such as migraine and cluster headache, as well as comorbid disorders, including stroke and epilepsy.
…Prof. Jan Verschuuren, MD, PhD, neurologist, head of the Department of Neurology, and chair of the Neuroscience research theme. His main research focus is on neuromuscular diseases, especially muscle disorders and neuromuscular synapses.
Prof. Arn van den Maagdenberg, PhD, neurogeneticist and neuroscientist, member of the management team of the Neuroscience research theme. His main research focus is on primary headache disorders, such as migraine and cluster headache, as well as comorbid disorders, including stroke and epilepsy.
A.M.J.M.van_den_Maagdenberg@lumc.nl
Hermien Kan, PhD, Imaging scientist, associate professor, and member of the management team of the Neuroscience research theme. Her main research focus is on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of skeletal muscle.
Sub-themes
Within the Neuroscience research theme, we defined several clusters that each cover a specific Neuroscience subtheme. These subthemes form the starting point of the Neuroscience theme network in the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), and can change, fuse, or emerge depending on the research focus. Together, all subthemes make up the complete Neuroscience theme network.
The Neuroscience theme at LUMC has a long-standing reputation internationally. It combines activities of research groups in at least 14 departments, among which Anatomy and Embryology, Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Clinical Physiology, Biomedical Data Sciences, Cell and Chemical Biology, Clinical Genetics, Ear, Nose and Throat, Human Genetics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Rehabilitation, and Statistics.
…Within the Neuroscience research theme, we defined several clusters that each cover a specific Neuroscience subtheme. These subthemes form the starting point of the Neuroscience theme network in the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), and can change, fuse, or emerge depending on the research focus. Together, all subthemes make up the complete Neuroscience theme network.
The Neuroscience theme at LUMC has a long-standing reputation internationally. It combines activities of research groups in at least 14 departments, among which Anatomy and Embryology, Anesthesiology, Pain Management and Clinical Physiology, Biomedical Data Sciences, Cell and Chemical Biology, Clinical Genetics, Ear, Nose and Throat, Human Genetics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Rehabilitation, and Statistics.
LUMC is the medical faculty of Leiden University and collaborates with other faculties of the university, for instance, the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC). LUMC focuses on patient care, research, and teaching.
The Neuroscience research theme combines diagnostics, and experimental and clinical research in brain, nerve, and muscle disorders. The research program ranges from fundamental neuroscience, neuroimaging, and genetics to clinical translation. It aims to improve diagnostics and treatment of brain and muscle disorders. The Neuroscience theme houses many clinical research groups, and fundamental research groups with several hundred clinical and basic researchers, laboratory technicians, PhD students, Postdocs, and staff.