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
Author Archives: brains-lab
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
January 25th, 2024Snowy Escapade: BRAINS-lab Bonding Last weekend, the seven members of BRAINS-lab took a break for a team-building getaway in the snowy Ardennes. It was a cozy retreat filled with good food, fun, and games, set against the backdrop of a beautiful winter wonderland.
January, 16th, 2024New Research Paper Alert!Our latest paper has been published in Clinical Neurophysiology. This publication introduces a pioneering dual-site TMS setup designed to stimulate two adjacent brain regions. Unlike previous attempts, this setup is subject to fewer technical and spatial limitations, allowing for more precise and reliable targeting of brain regions.Interested in delving intoContinue reading
