Bart Van de Warrenburg, MD

As a neurologist and principal investigator, I combine various clinical, scientific, teaching, and managerial roles. Our expert centre for rare and genetic movement disorders, which I founded and lead, receives nationwide referrals and provides cross-border expertise within the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Disorders. My research focuses on the molecular and system-level mechanisms and treatment targets in patients with rare movement disorders, for which I use tools that range from next generation sequencing and fly models, to functional MRI, non-invasive neuromodulation, and neurorehabilitation approaches. We are currently setting up RNA-targeting strategies for a selected set of diseases. Finding effective treatments is the main scientific challenge for now, and I believe that interaction with patients and patient societies is key to jointly achieve this. I reside in various national and international committees and taskforces, some of which are scientific while others are care-focused. My lecture and teaching schedule is busy, with audiences varying from local students to large groups of international colleagues.