Neuromodulation Network

Committing to advance the understanding and treatment of brain disorders through the integration of neuromodulation research. It aims to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders—including academia, mental health institutions, industry, and individuals with lived experience—to enhance the application of neuromodulation techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy, vagal nerve stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial electric stimulation, and deep brain stimulation.

History

The Neuromodulation Network was established in 2024 and consists of a diverse group of neuromodulation researchers, including a diverse combination of members based on different neurostimulation techniques, academic backgrounds, countries of origin, career stages and gender. 

We are committed to fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to drive innovation in neuromodulation for psychiatric and neurological disorders. By integrating cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and clinical expertise, we aim to enhance precision medicine approaches, optimize treatment efficacy, and expand access to evidence-based neuromodulation therapies. Our network promotes education, knowledge exchange, and translational research, bridging the gap between fundamental neuroscience and real-world clinical applications. Through interdisciplinary partnerships and patient-centered initiatives, we strive to establish neuromodulation as a cornerstone of modern neuropsychiatric treatment, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals affected by brain disorders. 

Odile van den Heuvel, the Netherlands; Jonathan Repple, Germany, and Roel Mocking, the Netherlands

Goals

1

Neuroscience Applied: bridging the gap between basic research and clinical application, we emphasize translational potential and the development of individualized stimulation targets to optimize patient outcomes. 

2

Education and training: we are dedicated to creating comprehensive educational modules and hands-on training opportunities to disseminate knowledge and foster expertise in neuromodulation. 

3

Collaborative research and funding: establishing a platform for collaborative research endeavours, we aim to facilitate funding acquisition for large multinational projects in the neuromodulation field, also aligning with industry partners. 

4

Consensus building through the Delphi Process: We utilize the Delphi method to achieve consensus on critical research questions and methodologies, guiding our research agenda. 

5

Dissemination: we coordinate initiatives to reduce stigma surrounding neurostimulation techniques and support their implementation in areas of need, with active engagement from the public and those with lived experience. 

6

Innovation: we support the exploration of novel neurostimulation methods while addressing regulatory, implementation, and ethical challenges through dedicated task forces. 

 

7

Interaction: regular online meetings and annual in-person gatherings will ensure ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange, promoting the formation of specialized subgroups to address specific research challenges. 

Core members
Member name Institution City Country
Ana Ganho Avila Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions  Coimbra Portugal
Chris Baeken Ghent University Ghent Belgium
Jean-Marie Batail Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Régnier / Rennes University Rennes France
Jovana Bjekic Center for Neuroscience and Neuromodulation / University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
Jerome Brunelin Centre Hospitalier Le Vinatier Bron France
Tiago Costa Newcastle University / CNTW NHS Trust Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom
Annemiek Dols University Medical Center Utrecht Utrecht The Netherlands 
Piotr Jażdżyk Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology Warsaw Poland
Astrid Kibleur Université Savoie Mont Blanc Chambery France
Monika Klirova National Institute of Mental Health / Charles University Prague Czechia
Debby Klooster Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven The Netherlands
Roel Mocking Amsterdam UMC / University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands
Leif Oltedal Haukeland University Hospital / University of Bergen Bergen Norway
Nils Opel University Hospital Jena / German Centre for Mental Health  Jena Germany
Katya Rubia Institute of Psychiatry / King's College London London United Kingdom
Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah Goethe University Frankfurt / University Hospital Frankfurt Germany
Ingo Willuhn Amsterdam UMC / Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam The  Netherlands 
Shell members
Member name Institution City Country
Sara Assecondi University of Trento Trento Italy
Ralf Berninger FBI Medizintechnik GmbH Taufkirchen Germany
Bart de Beurs patient representative from Amsterdam UMC Amsterdam The Netherlands
Bernardo Dell'Osso University of Milano Milan Italy
Mark Glencorse LivaNova London United Kingdom
Colleen Hamlin BrainsWay; Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, NC USA
Andrea Kühn Charite University Hospital Berlin Germany
Mika Nikander Sooma Oy Helsinki Finland
Axel Nordenskjold Orebro University Orebro Sweden
Frank Padberg Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich Munich Germany
Stefano Pallanti Institute for Neurosciences Florence Italy
Maria Semkovska University of Southern Denmark Odense Denmark
Pascal Sienaert University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
Veerle Visser-Vandewalle University of Cologne Cologne Germany
Allan Young King’s College London London United Kingdom
Early Career Academy member
Member name Institution City Country
Sara Costi University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom

Events

Meeting Network meeting, Frankfurt, Germany 16 May — 17 May 2025