Since 28/5 there has been a technical issue between Studelink and VU. Registrations are not visible and emails with login details cannot be sent. We are working on a solution. No action is required.
Education Research Current About VU Amsterdam NL
Login as
Prospective student Student Employee
Bachelor Master VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours programme VU-NT2 Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Research highlights Prizes and distinctions
Research institutes Our scientists Research Impact Support Portal Creating impact
News Events calendar The power of connection
Israël and Palestinian regions Culture on campus
Practical matters Mission and core values Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Organisation Partnerships Alumni University Library Working at VU Amsterdam
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

Pediatric Neuropsychology

The studies within the pediatric neuropsychology group focus on a wide age range, including toddlers, children and youth with behavioral, emotional and neurocognitive function difficulties.

Our first line of research focuses on the etiology, assessment and treatment (pharmacological and psychosocial) of attentional and behavioral difficulties in children, including children with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, non-compliant and/or aggressive behavior (Luman, Oosterlaan, Noordermeer, van der Plas, Staff, van Boven, de Jong, van Houdt). The research group is affiliated with the PAINT Consortium, a collaboration of researchers and clinicians who study psychosocial interventions for children with attentional and behavioral difficulties, including parent and teacher training. The research group is also part of the Academic Workplace ADHD and hyperactive behavior, where practice and science collaborate.  We also host a large cohort of adults who received an ADHD (attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder) diagnosis in childhood, their family members, and a group without an ADHD diagnosis, the longitudinal neuroIMAGE project. This study focusses on a wide range of outcome measures including socio-emotional and adaptive functioning, and predictors of functioning, including brain (fMRI, DTI) and neurocognitive functions, ranging from motor skills to higher order cognitive control processes.

A second line of research focusses on stimulating self-regulation, among others in young students in primary school. For this project a knowledge-platform is constructed on what self-regulation is and how it can be supported (Slaats, Ebbes, van Houdt and Luman). Related to this self-regulation research are  studies on the impact of music on executive functioning in regular school children (Janson, Scherder, Luman, Noordermeer) and in children with cerebral paresis (Zuiderbaan, Scherder).

A third line of research focusses on neurocognitive functioning in relation to behavioral outcomes, among others in toddlers and preschoolers (Urbanus, Van Houdt) as well as in children (development of COTAPP tool, www.cotapp.nl). In these studies, different methods are used, including the use of (neuro)cognitive tasks, observations, questionnaires, and eye-tracking to study both typically developing children (e.g., CARES study) and children with vulnerable development (e.g., children with chromosomal variations).

The research group is renowned for the development of advanced computerized paradigms (see for example www.cotapp.nl) as well as using new methods, including ecologically momentary assessments. The relation between neurocognitive measures and central nervous system structure and function is studied using psychophysiological measures and imaging techniques including EEG, (f)MRI, fNIRS and DTI.

Prof. dr. Jaap Oosterlaan is also affiliated with the Emma Neuroscience Group of the Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC. Together with dr. Marsh Königs, he is responsible for research into the effects of disease and treatment on the central nervous system in children, including research into the effects of premature birth and traumatic brain injury and studies into the impact of motor activity on behavioral and cognitive functioning (Vermeulen).

INVOLVED EMPLOYEES

B.F. (Barbara) Haverkamp, PhD student
S.R.C. (Suzanne) de Jong, PhD student
A. (Anna) Meijer, PhD student 
A.I. (Anouck) Staff, PhD student 
G.T. (Gerben) Vermeulen, PhD student 
N. E. (Noa) van der Plas, PhD student
M.E. (Marlijn) Janson, PhD student 
J.A. (Jule) Zuiderbaan, PhD student
E.E. (Emmy) van Boven, PhD Student
K. (Karen) Vertessen, MD, child psychiatrist
R. Ruther Ebbes, Post-doc
D. (Daina) Crafa, Assistant Professor
Dr. S.D.S. (Siri) Noordermeer, Assistant Professor
E.L. (Evelien) Urbanus, Assistant Professor
Dr. M. (Marjolein) Luman, Associate Professor
Prof. dr. J. (Jaap) Oosterlaan, Professor
Prof. D.I.E. (Dorine) Slaats-Willemse, Professor

Quick links

Homepage Culture on campus VU Sports Centre Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas Digital accessibility

About VU

Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Veiligheid Webcolofon Cookies Webarchief

Copyright © 2025 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam