Chris Baeken

Chris Baeken is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine. He serves as a Physician in Psychiatry at UZ Brussel (Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel), where he leads research in neuroprotection and neuromodulation. His work spans observational clinical sciences with a focus on brain, body, and cognition.

• Institution: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Hospital Affiliation: UZ Brussel
• Research Unit: Neuroprotection & Neuromodulation Observational Clinical Sciences
• Professional Role: Physician in Psychiatry

Dr. Baeken's primary research interests focus on non-invasive brain stimulation techniques and their applications in psychiatric disorders. His work centers on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for treating depression, particularly treatment-resistant forms. He investigates prefrontal cortex modulation, cerebellar connectivity, and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mood disorders. His research extends to Alzheimer's disease and the relationship between depression and dementia, with significant contributions to understanding the inflammatory aspects of depression.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on accelerated stimulation protocols for depression treatment, biomarker development for treatment response prediction, and translational research bridging animal models and human applications. His work increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence approaches to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic precision in neuropsychiatry.

• Best Belgian Poster Award (2010)
• ECNP first poster award (1998)
• ECNP Travel Award & Third poster Award (2006)
• First poster award (2006)
• First Poster Award (1998)

Dr. Baeken actively supervises multiple PhD candidates and has secured significant research funding for projects spanning Alzheimer's disease applications of brain stimulation, inflammation-based stratification in depression treatment, and AI applications in neurological and psychiatric care. His laboratory work includes translational studies using canine models to investigate the molecular effects of high-frequency repetitive TMS. Current research directions focus on personalized neuromodulation approaches and the integration of biomarker-guided treatment selection for depression.