Solène Dauby, Emilie Lommers and Pierre Maquet, laureates of a Charcot Foundation Prize
Dr Solène Dauby, Dr Emilie Lommers and Professor Pierre Maquet, researchers at the University of Liège and Liège University Hospital (CHU de Liège), have just been awarded a research grant from the Charcot Fund in order to better understand certain mechanisms responsible for a significant part of the disability caused by multiple sclerosis. The aim of their research is to use new, extremely high-performance imaging tools (7 tesla MRI, PET CT scanner) to better observe brain structures, gain a more detailed understanding of the changes induced by the disease and thus improve the therapeutic management of multiple sclerosis patients.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a major cause of disability among young people. This inflammatory disease affects the two components of the brain and spinal cord: the grey matter (bodies of neurons) and the white matter (extensions of neurons). The mechanisms that affect the white matter in the form of "plaques" are well known and observed by standard imaging. On the other hand, the grey matter and "normal-looking brain tissue", responsible for a significant part of the disability, is not easily accessible in conventional imaging. Dr Solène Dauby, Dr Emilie Lommers and Professor Pierre Maquet, researchers at the University of Liège and CHU de Liège (Liège University Hospital), have just been awarded a grant to further their research in this field and to use the most recent ultra-precise imaging techniques to study the hidden and as yet little-known face of multiple sclerosis.
We will study these areas using new and very precise radiological imaging techniques," explains Solène Dauby, researcher at GIGA CRC In vivo Imaging - of ULiège. We hope to demonstrate a correlation between certain radiological physical parameters and the evolution of the disease. Our results could be used to better guide our therapeutic strategies. »
Dr Solène Dauby is a 4th year medical assistant in the Neurology Department of Professor Pierre Maquet. She is also a doctoral student in the field of inflammatory neurology or neuro-immunology. Her research project (and doctoral thesis) concerns the use of imaging techniques to study patients with multiple sclerosis. His research is acquired at the cyclotron research centre of the University of Liège.
Dr Emilie Lommers is a doctor in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Liège and is responsible for the care of patients suffering from immuno-inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (including multiple sclerosis). She is also a researcher at the GIGA-CRC in vivo imaging of the University of Liège.
Professor Pierrre Maquet is a doctor and researcher at the University of Liège and heads the Neurology Department of the Liège University Hospital.
About the Charcot Fund
Created in 1987, the Fonds Charcot aims to encourage fundamental research in the field of multiple sclerosis (MS). This first step in the search for treatments is essential for a better understanding of the disease and the development of techniques to find or optimise treatments.
Within the Charcot Foundation, the Charcot Fund is an annual budget for fundamental research. This budget is currently €500,000. Every year a call for projects is launched to Belgian universities and research centres. The quality of the selected research is ensured thanks to the expertise of a scientific jury composed of Belgian neurologists, experts in MS, but also foreign experts. In the choice of projects, innovation and the prospect of therapeutic progress are essential.
Since its creation in 1987, the Fonds Charcot has supported more than 200 researchers and/or research teams in 27 renowned university laboratories* in Belgium. This support has enabled them to explore innovative avenues and bring concrete results.
