BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence E.J.P. Brouwer METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260204T114500 DTEND:20260204T131500 DTSTAMP:20260204T114500 UID:phd-defence-e-j-p-brouwer@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260924T235602 LOCATION: SUMMARY:PhD defence E.J.P. Brouwer X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

The Big Little Brain

Major role of the cerebellum revealed with ultra -powerful MRI

Why the cerebellum is so important
The cerebellum make s up only about ten percent of the brain’s volume, but it plays a c rucial role in far more than just movement. It is involved in motor c ontrol, learning, attention, and possibly also emotions and cognition . Nevertheless, it has long received relatively little attention in b rain research, mainly because its structure is extremely fine and com plex. “It is precisely this complexity that makes the cerebellum di fficult to study with standard MRI scanners,” Brouwer explains. “ Many details simply remain invisible.”

Looking with a sharper lens
Brouwer used a 7 Tesla MRI scanner (7T MRI) , a scanner with a much stronger magnet than the MRI systems typicall y used in hospitals. This extra power makes it possible to create ima ges with exceptionally high resolution. Thanks to this technology, su btle structures and functional patterns in the cerebellum could be vi sualized.

Mapping function and structure
In total, Brouwer conducted seven separate studies, examining both the structure and the function of the cerebellum. Using functional MRI (f MRI), she was able to see which parts of the cerebellum are active du ring specific tasks.

Brouwer studied both healthy adults and pa tients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, the nervous system is dam aged, which can also affect the cerebellum. By comparing the two grou ps, it became clear how disease processes influence the cerebellum.

New methods for future brain research
In add ition to new insights into the cerebellum itself, Brouwer also demons trates how 7T MRI can be optimally used to study small cerebellar str uctures. This methodological knowledge is valuable for other research ers around the world. These techniques can help enable more targeted research into brain diseases in the future.

From fundam ental knowledge to better care
Although Brouwer’s resea rch is fundamental in nature, its implications are broader. Because t he cerebellum is involved in many neurological disorders, a better un derstanding of it can, in the long term, contribute to improved diagn osis and treatment. Her work underscores how advanced technology and fundamental research together open new doors in neuroscience.

M ore information on the thesis

DESCRIPTION: The Big Little Brain

Major role of the cerebe llum revealed with ultra-powerful MRI

Using one of the m ost powerful MRI scanners in the world, neuroscientist Emma Brouwer h as mapped the cerebellum in great detail. She shows how this brain re gion is structured and how it functions, both in healthy individuals and in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). These new insights cont ribute to a better understanding of brain functions as well as brain diseases.Why the cerebellum is so important
The c erebellum makes up only about ten percent of the brain’s volume, bu t it plays a crucial role in far more than just movement. It is invol ved in motor control, learning, attention, and possibly also emotions and cognition. Nevertheless, it has long received relatively little attention in brain research, mainly because its structure is extremel y fine and complex. “It is precisely this complexity that makes the cerebellum difficult to study with standard MRI scanners,” Brouwer explains. “Many details simply remain invisible.”Looking with a sharper lens
Brouwer used a 7 Tesla MRI scanner ( 7T MRI), a scanner with a much stronger magnet than the MRI systems t ypically used in hospitals. This extra power makes it possible to cre ate images with exceptionally high resolution. Thanks to this technol ogy, subtle structures and functional patterns in the cerebellum coul d be visualized.Mapping function and structure
In total, Brouwer conducted seven separate studies, examining both the structure and the function of the cerebellum. Using functional MRI (f MRI), she was able to see which parts of the cerebellum are active du ring specific tasks.Brouwer studied both healthy adults and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, the nervous system is damaged, w hich can also affect the cerebellum. By comparing the two groups, it became clear how disease processes influence the cerebellum.N ew methods for future brain research
In addition to new i nsights into the cerebellum itself, Brouwer also demonstrates how 7T MRI can be optimally used to study small cerebellar structures. This methodological knowledge is valuable for other researchers around the world. These techniques can help enable more targeted research into brain diseases in the future.From fundamental knowledge to be tter care
Although Brouwer’s research is fundamental in nature, its implications are broader. Because the cerebellum is invo lved in many neurological disorders, a better understanding of it can , in the long term, contribute to improved diagnosis and treatment. H er work underscores how advanced technology and fundamental research together open new doors in neuroscience.More information on the t hesis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR