Chair: Prof. Ilse Smolders

The Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR) group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Center for Neuroscience (C4N) focuses on innovative pharmacology and psychopharmacology. Our team integrates preclinical neuroscientists, analytical specialists, and clinical researchers to advance pharmacological research and its practical applications, bridging fundamental science and clinical practice to improve health outcomes.

1/ Preclinical research

We use a range of preclinical models to study neurological and psychiatric conditions, including refractory epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, affective disorders, multiple sclerosis, dementia, sensory perception disorders such as pain and itch as well as diseases linked to the autonomic nervous system such as hyperhidrosis and orthostatic intolerance.

Our expertise integrates in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro approaches to explore nervous system function and dysfunction, including a range of rodent behavioural paradigms, cOFM and other biomarker sampling techniques, telemetry-based EEG monitoring and slice electrophysiology methods. Our research combines classical pharmacology and genetic models with cutting-edge tools like chemogenetics and photopharmacology.

The team of Ilse Smolders is dedicated to finding new therapeutic strategies for refractory epilepsy and its main comorbidities such as cognitive impairment.

The team of Dimitri De Bundel studies neuro-immune modulation of cognitive and affective symptoms in neuropsychiatric disorders.

The team of Frank Bosmans investigates the roles of ion channels in neuronal function, focusing on voltage-gated sodium channels and their impact on sensory perception processes. He also explores the role of these channels in the sympathetic nervous system and their link to hereditary dysautonomia disorders.

Collaborating internationally, we aim to uncover mechanisms underlying these conditions and translate findings into clinical applications.

2/ Bioanalytical research

Neuropharmacological research is strongly dependent on the availability of sensitive analysis methods for neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and biomarkers in the brain and plasma samples of rodents.

The team of Ann Van Eeckhaut focuses on the development of newer, faster, better, and more sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods for analysis of volume-limited

samples. They apply targeted and untargeted approaches in their research to study small molecule brain mediators and neuropeptides.

3/ Clinical pharmacology

The use of medicinal products during pregnancy, lactation, and in young children requires a cautious approach. Due to the unique physiological changes that occur, risk assessments are challenging, necessitating a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of each drug. The group of Eline Tommelein conducts both fundamental and clinical research on the use of medications during these phases of life. The research focuses on ADHD medications, anesthetics, analgesics, and drugs that can affect the hormonal regulation of breastfeeding. In addition, the team performs research on the optimal treatment of conditions that arise during breastfeeding, such as vasospasm, mastitis, and candidiasis of the breast.

Sofie Brouwers' interest in hypertension and how it can be regulated by the brain is long standing. She is interested in how brain mediators interact to control sympathetic tone and blood pressure and may be important in the pathogenesis of many forms of hypertension. She also carries out research into pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of high blood pressure to improve the outcome of difficult-to-control hypertensive patients.