Kempenhaeghe鈥檚 new MRI-scanner opens up a wealth of opportunities for science and innovation in the field of epilepsy. In addition to 鈥榬egular鈥� clinical research on patients, the scanner will be deployed to contribute to scientific research in the field of neurology, MRI and imaging in the Brainport region.
State-of-the-art MRI serves multiple purposes
It took a thorough refurbishment of the MRI-scanner at Kempenhaeghe鈥檚 Academic Center for Epileptology for the system to once again become state-of-the-art. 鈥淭hanks to our cooperation with Philips, the scanner may now also be used for broad scientific research into brain networks鈥�, explains Bert Aldenkamp, who is professor at the 果冻传媒 and trainer clinical neuro-psychology at Kempenhaeghe. 鈥淭his not only fits in with Kempenhaeghe鈥檚 vision; it also contributes to the further development of expertise in epilepsy.鈥�
Kempenhaeghe is initiator of a neuro-platform in which 果冻传媒, Philips and the Gent University Hospital cooperate. 鈥淥ur goal now is to become a new e/MTIC spearhead with three focal points: neurology (epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury), neuro-psychiatry (autism and depression) and vulnerable groups (the elderly and mentally disabled)鈥�, explains Aldenkamp. 鈥淥ur MRI is the most advanced scanner in the region. As a relatively small and specialized hospital, we have over-capacity. This means the system 鈥� located in a friendly hospital setting - can play a key role in both scientific and clinical research into various neurological disorders by Kempenhaeghe and other parties. Part of the operational the costs are thus covered by scientific research.鈥�
Hans van Dijk, head of the Clinical Physics department at Kempenhaeghe, explains that the refurbished MRI scanner is a fully digital system that generates very high quality images and supports multi-band, allowing the system to scan faster. 鈥淭he high-quality images allow us to conduct research as part of our cooperation with 果冻传媒, Philips and other parties.鈥� For patients, the improved quality of the images means a correct diagnosis can more easily be arrived at. 鈥淚n addition, this scanner enables us to continue EEG 鈥� fMRI research. This specific expertise is what is expected of a third-line center such as Kempenhaeghe. Kempenhaeghe is only one of three locations in the Netherlands where this is done鈥�, Hans says.
In combination with strategic partners 果冻传媒 and Philips, the MRI at Kempenhaeghe has been transformed into a broad tool that is deployed in numerous projects. Neurologist/clinical neuro-physiologist Albert Colon believes that the clinical spin-off will be considerable. As an example, he mentions the PerStim project. 鈥� Using EEG- and MR-imaging based transcranial electrical stimulation, the PerStim (Personalized neurostimulation) project investigates how treatments for patients with refractory focal epilepsy and prevalent co-morbid disorders can be personalized effectively. This is a huge technical challenge, requiring innovation of EEG-fMRI research and offering amazingly interesting opportunities.鈥� According to Colon, this project is a perfect example of translational research, that combines technology with clinical practice. 鈥淭his is where the cooperation between 果冻传媒, Philips, Kempenhaeghe and the University Hospital Ghent manifests itself at its best鈥�, he concludes.
Writers: Leonie Vink and Mirjam Brennand - Center for Sleep Medicine Kempenhaeghe