What is your field of research in Lifebrain
Mental health with a focus on depression and anxiety. My research has been focused on why some persons are more prone towards depression and anxiety disorders than others. During life, we see that there are many events that can impact on the experience of these disorders. Risk factors and consequences of depression and anxiety disorders have been found to be different across the life cycle. We try to examine age-specific factors in depression and anxiety disorders.
What was your motivation for getting engaged in brain research?
Depression and anxiety disorders are clearly disorders that involve brain function. Several brain structures and functions are affected in patients. Consequently, studying the brain level is necessary to better understand where emotional symptoms come from, and how potential interventions can be helpful.
What do you find most interesting in the Lifebrain project?
It is a collaboration around Europe on brain aging, which provides us more power to validly examine predictors of brain aging across Europe.
What is the most burning scientific question in your opinion in our times (in your field of brain research?)
What can we do to prevent the occurrence of depression and anxiety disorders so that we can reduce their high prevalence and negative impact on public health.
What can people do for their brain health?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and adequately deal with (the frequently present) stressors of our time.
