brains-lab

April 21, 2026New paper! We are pleased to share our new paper:“Type 2 diabetes is related to neurochemical alterations in the default mode network: An exploratory cross-sectional magnetic resonance spectroscopy study“ •Findings suggest regional alterations in brain energy metabolism in T2DM. •T2DM group showed reduced tNAA and tCho (PFC), tCr (PCC), and GSH (hippocampus). •VariousContinue reading

April 15-16, 2026Setting-up 7T MR Spectroscopy Together with Ralph Noeske, Melina Hehl and Koen Cuypers have been involved in setting-up the MRS sequences on the new Inter-University GE SIGNA 7T at the Research Park in Zellik.

March 24th, 2026New paper! We are pleased to share our new paper, titled:“Age-specific relationship between the modulation of brain dynamicsin response to task demands and bimanual performance“ This study highlights the potential role of BOLD variability modulation in shaping bimanual performance during aging. While younger adults appear to benefitfrom neural stability, older adults may relyContinue reading

October 31st, 2025Dr. Shanti Van Malderen Shanti successfully defended her Phd titled: “The aging cerebellum: how differences in inhibition and neurometabolite levels relate to motor function” We are incredible thankfully to work with Shanti in the past years. She is a true team player and we will mis her unending positivism.

February 6th, 2025New publication in Human Brain Mapping on the role of neurometablites in motor learningWe are excited to share our latest study, “The Reciprocal Relationship Between Short- and Long-Term Motor Learning and Neurometabolites,” now published in Human Brain Mapping. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we investigated how inhibitory (GABA) and excitatory (Glx) neurometabolites contributeContinue reading

February 6th/7th, 2025BRAINS-lab at MaRBEL Conference 2025 (Liège) Numerous members of BRAINS-lab attended the MaRBEL conference and pre-conference courses, where the latest advancements in Belgian MR research were presented and discussed. It was a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and connect with fellow researchers in the field. We are proud to highlight Robin’s oral presentationContinue reading

January 17th, 2025BRAINS-lab at ISMRM BeNeLux in Hilversum, NLThe new year started off well at the ISMRM BeNeLux in Hilversum, an annual conference where MRI scientists share their knowledge and findings in the field of advanced MRI. Our dra. Maud Beeckmans presented her brand-new diffusion results during one of the poster sessions. Additionally, Dr. MelinaContinue reading

October 18th, 2024First PhD graduate from BRAINS-lab: Melina defends PhD on “The neural correlates of bimanual motor learning“We are excited to announce that Melina has successfully defended her PhD titled “The neural correlates of bimanual motor learning: neurometabolites, synaptic density, and effective premotor-motor connectivity”, supervised by Professors Koen Cuypers, Stephan Swinnen, and Raf Meesen. ThisContinue reading

July 3rd, 2024Publication alert: Dual-site TMSOur former Master’s students, Robin Heemels and Sian Ademi, can be proud: they have published their thesis work, along with their co-supervisor Melina, in Clinical Neurophysiology. This study explores the effective connectivity between the dorsal premotor cortex and primary motor cortex using dual-site TMS. We optimized the protocol and investigatedContinue reading

February 10th, 2024First Belgian MR Research Community (BMRC) Meeting in Hasselt! Next year MaRBEL!Our BRAINS-lab team attended the Belgian MR Research Community (BMRC) kick-off event hosted at Oude Gevangenis UHasselt. Besides tons of networking, there was a great 7T keynote by Gilbert Hangel and workshops by researchers from VUB, UGent, University of Liège, KU LeuvenContinue reading