Neuroradiology

Neuroimaging of primary headaches and related brain disorders

The primary aim is to increase our knowledge of the mechanisms behind important headache disorders, such as migraine and cluster headache. Further, focus is on changes in the human brain that may be considered as consequences of headache attacks. For both purposes, we also assess familial or monogenetic related disorders (CHA, cerebral hereditary angiopaties), like RVCL-S, FHM, CADASAL, and other CHA’s.

To assess pathophysiological mechanism, we study brain changes before, during and after headache attacks that may reveal how, where, why and when headache attacks occur. Doing so, we evaluate changes in function, perfusion, biochemical composition and anatomical structure.

To assess potential permanent forms of brain damage related to the headache and related disorders, both 3T and 7T MRI examinations are evaluated.

For the past 20 years, the group has always closely collaborated with our colleagues from the Neurology and Clinical Genetics departments, and with the C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI.

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To assess pathophysiological mechanism, we study brain changes before, during and after headache attacks that may reveal how, where, why and when headache attacks occur. Doing so, we evaluate changes in function, perfusion, biochemical composition and anatomical structure.

To assess potential permanent forms of brain damage related to the headache and related disorders, both 3T and 7T MRI examinations are evaluated.

For the past 20 years, the group has always closely collaborated with our colleagues from the Neurology and Clinical Genetics departments, and with the C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI.

The research started with the important population-based CAMERA-study and its 9-year follow-up CAMERA-2-study. Additional studies followed, including several patient cohorts, in which innovative and complex paradigms have assessed over-time changes in brain function, perfusion and biochemistry.

More recent studies address the relationships between migraine, stroke and other risk factors in female participants (CREW and WHISPER studies). In the group we further expand our high expertise related to eg. RVCL-S, a genetic disease with close links to migraine, with the FORT-study starting inclusion in 2022.

Themes for Innovation

Key publications

Team members

  • Dr. M.C. Kruit, neuro-radiologist, principal investigator
  • Dr. H.E. Kan
  • Dr. S.A.M.J. Lesnik Oberstein
  • Dr. C. Najac
  • Prof.dr.Ir. M.J.P. van Osch 
  • Prof.dr. G.M. Terwindt
  • Prof.dr. L. van der Weerd
  • Prof.dr. M.J.H. Wermer
  • PhD-candidates:
  • Drs. I. de Boer
  • Drs. E. Hoogeveen
  • Drs. G.L.J. Onderwater
  • Drs. N. van der Weerd
  • Drs. A.E. Wilms