Arn M.J.M. van den Maagdenberg is professor of molecular and functional neurogenetics at the departments of Human Genetics and Neurology of the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC). In addition, he is member of the LUMC research theme Neuroscience. In addition, he is the principle investigator of the Medical Delta programme ‘Medical NeuroDelta’ and vice-chair of the ‘International Headache Genetics Consortium’ and has an honorary contract with with ‘Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland’ (SEIN) in Heemstede.

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Arn M.J.M. van den Maagdenberg is professor of molecular and functional neurogenetics at the departments of Human Genetics and Neurology of the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC). In addition, he is member of the LUMC research theme Neuroscience. In addition, he is the principle investigator of the Medical Delta programme ‘Medical NeuroDelta’ and vice-chair of the ‘International Headache Genetics Consortium’ and has an honorary contract with with ‘Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland’ (SEIN) in Heemstede.

Genetic and functional brain research

The brain is our most complex organ. It is intriguing why in patients there seems to be a short circuit in the brain so attacks of migraine and epilepsy can occur. It is largely unknown what enhances the susceptibility for such attacks. Unraveling the molecular and neurobiological mechanisms that lead to these attacks to find better treatments is the major challenge.

His genetic and functional brain research has provided clear indications that the function of brain cells and the communication with blood vessels is compromised. The search for better treatment of patients with paroxysmal disorders  uses this information in various ways. With renowned headache specialists of the LUMC we develop in the LUMC patient-related research, that involves monitoring and modulation of brain activity in de clinic at, in due time, at home, as well as basic research using advanced animal models. More recently, cultured human organ structures are used to ensure a more direct translation to the clinic. Such combination of  models will yield answers that benefit the patient. This translational research approach is perfectly in line with the “National Wetenschaps agenda” to approach brain dysfunction from a personalised medicine perspective.

Academic career

Arn M.J.M. van den Maagdenberg studied Biology at the Catholic University Nijmegen and received his PhD from Leiden University. The title of his thesis (October 28 1993) was ‘Genetic and functional analysis of apolipoprotein E’. Next van den Maagdenberg performed genetic and functional research on various disorders at the department of cell biology and histology of the Radboud University Nijmegen and the departments of human genetics and neurology in Leiden. In 2011 he was appointed professor of Neurogenetics at the Leiden University Medical Centre The title of his inaugural lecture (March 23 2012) was ‘Samenwerken is hersenwerk’.

For more than 25 years, van den Maagdenberg investigates the molecular and functional mechanisms of paroxysmal brain disorders, foremost migraine, epilepsy and stroke. He co-authored over 350 scientific publications, including various influential review articles, and multiple book chapters. He is (vice)chair/member of various consortia and scientific advisory boards, both for national initiatives, such as the Dutch Epilepsy Fund and Medical NeuroDelta, as for international initiatives, such as the ‘International Headache Genetics Consortium’ (IHGC).

Prizes and honourable appointments

Van den Maagdenberg is recipient of the C.J. Kok Award 2004 (LUMC): “Migraine: from patient to mice ….. and back again” and the "Migraine Trust Lecture" at the European Headache and Migraine Trust International Congress 2010 (EHMTIC; Nice): "Genetics in Migraine: from Genes to Phenotypes". In 2014 and 2017 hij received the MFLS-LUMC Education Award Medical Genetics as best module biomedical sciences. In addition, he won the general audience prize 2010 (Publieksprijs) for “In de aanval”, an annual competition for best communication of science to the general Dutch public (Academische Jaarprijs), as part of the LUMC migraine team.

Publications