New Scientist Live! Hersenziekten: research for the future is a public outreach event about the latest developments in brain care. During this event, researchers and physicians from UMC Utrecht share their knowledge about brain surgery, innovative treatments, and the role of AI in healthcare.
On Thursday, June 18, at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, you’ll discover what the future of brain care looks like. An evening full of science, real-life stories, and surprising insights into the human brain.
Buy your ticketsDuring New Scientist Live! Hersenziekten, you’ll get a remarkable look behind the scenes of modern medicine. How do physicians recognize a brain tumor during surgery, for example? And is it really possible to treat brain damage with nasal drops?
Researchers and physicians from the UMC Utrecht Brain Center share the latest insights and show how science and healthcare come together. You’ll hear not only what is currently possible, but also what we can expect in the future.
The evening starts with a look at groundbreaking research. Jeroen Pasterkamp discusses new ways to study diseases such as ALS, for example using mini-brains and animal-free methods. These kinds of innovations accelerate the development of treatments and make research increasingly precise.
Next, neurosurgeon Tristan van Doormaal demonstrates how technology makes surgery safer. Using augmented reality, he projects a three-dimensional image of the brain onto the patient’s head, allowing him to operate with even greater precision.
One of the most impressive parts of the evening is the moment when you, as a visitor, virtually look over the surgeon’s shoulder in the operating room. Neurosurgeon Dara Niknejad takes you step by step through a complex brain operation. On the big screen, you’ll see how advanced techniques are used to treat problems with blood circulation in the brain.
The treatment of muscular diseases in children is also covered extensively. Researcher Ewout Groen discusses gene therapy for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a development that significantly improves the outlook for these patients.
In addition, you’ll hear about a remarkable innovation: administering stem cells via nasal drops to babies with brain damage. Professors Manon Benders and Cora Nijboer explain how this treatment works and what it could mean in the future.
Beyond medical innovations, there is also attention for the daily functioning of your brain. Cognitive psychologist Stefan van der Stigchel shows how our brain deals with stimuli and why concentrating is sometimes difficult. You’ll gain practical insights you can apply directly in your own life.
Artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role in healthcare. Bioinformatician Jeroen de Ridder developed a method in which AI can determine during surgery what type of brain tumor a patient is dealing with. This enables physicians to decide more quickly which treatment is most suitable.
During the evening, there is also room for young researchers. They present their work on sleep and mental health issues and brain aneurysms, in the form of a pitch battle.
New Scientist Live! Hersenziekten takes place on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, a central venue that is easily accessible by public transport. The evening starts at 7:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:45 PM.
Tickets are €17.50, with a discount for students. A drink and cloakroom are included in the price.
The UMC Utrecht Brain Center brings together care, research, and education to better understand and treat brain diseases. By collaborating with national and international partners, the center continuously works on innovative solutions for the healthcare of tomorrow.
