Understanding how the interplay between the nervous system and immune system contributes to chronic pain development.
Our research
We focus on unraveling how interactions between the nervous system and the immune system drive the development of chronic pain. Building on these insights, we also investigate the neurological complications experienced by patients with post-infectious diseases. Our ultimate goal is to translate this knowledge into the discovery and development of urgently needed new (immune) therapeutics.
As a collaborative team, we aim to understand how pain normally resolves and how neuro-immune interactions contribute to chronic pain and neurological symptoms in post-acute infectious syndromes. Using these insights as building blocks, we strive to develop innovative therapies that improve lives for those suffering from these debilitating diseases.
Why It Matters
Chronic pain is more than discomfort: it is a disease with pandemic proportions.
20% of the Western population suffers from chronic pain
3 million people affected in the Netherlands alone
Numbers are rising due to aging, obesity, and post-infectious syndromes
The Treatment Gap
80% of patients are dissatisfied with current pain management
Opioid-based therapies fuel addiction and the opioid crisis
Few effective, safe alternatives exist
The Urgent Need
Chronic pain is a growing global health challenge. We need innovative therapies that target the root causes, not just mask symptoms.
News
Hanneke on Dutch radio: Long COVID research remains a complex puzzle as symptoms differ greatly
