I am a neurologist at Amsterdam UMC, location AMC. My expertise as a neuromuscular specialist is in the field of myositis. I also have extensive experience with the diseases ALS and myotonic dystrophy.

Together with a team of enthusiastic colleagues, my scientific research focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of myositis. Here, I investigate outcome measures for clinical trials, optimal treatment in the 1st phase of the disease, fatigue aspects in chronic patients and the relationship between cancer and myositis. We also look at abnormalities in muscle fibres before treatment starts.

Furthermore, I lead a project on brain abnormalities in ALS in collaboration with the Alzheimercentrum Amsterdam. This research has been awarded a scientific prize twice at an international FTD-ALS congress.

As co-supervisor of five PhD students, I supervise PhD projects on:

• Optimal diagnosis in myositis (Hannah Walter, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC).
• Frontotemporal syndrome in ALS (Emma Beeldman, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC)
• Brain networks in ALS and FTD (Rosanne Govaarts, AMC locations and Alzheimer centre VUmc)
• Brain abnormalities in myotonic dystrophy (Kees Okkersen, Radboudumc)
• New trial methodology for rare diseases: treatment of non-dystrophic myotonia (Bas Stunnenberg, Radboudumc).