The Leuven ALS center combines the diagnosis and care for ALS patients with clinical and basic research activities. Clinical research includes studies of genetics, imaging, electrophysiology and biomarkers of ALS as well as phase I-III clinical trials. Our basic research activities are geared towards the generation of small animal models, rodent models and stem cell models for ALS, which we use to identify and validate molecular targets for the treatment of this disease.
As clinical neurologist I was awarded a clinical investigatorship from the Flemish Research Foundation, which allows me to focus on ALS research within the Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven. Within the University Hospital in Leuven (KU Leuven), I am currently directing the Neuromuscular Reference Center, which is a referral center for ALS patients and coordinates the care for people with ALS. I strongly believe that an international collaboration that aims for a better understanding of the genetic causes of ALS will be an important step in the fight against this devastating disease.