M. Konigs PhD

PhD M. Konigs

Position

Medical Specialist

Main activities

Research

Specialisation

Pediatric Neuroscientist

Focus of research

Clinical Neuroscience in Children
Together with prof. dr. Jaap Oosterlaan, dr. Marsh Königs initiates and supervises neuroscientific research in the field of pediatrics. This research is focused on the impact of disease and intervention on the structure and function of the child’s brain. Dr. Königs specializes in the use and development of computerized neurocognitive tests, advanced analysis of neurocognitive test performance, eye-tracking and advanced magnetic resonance imaging of brain connectivity. The ultimate goal of his work is to contribute to clinical practice through (i) a better understanding of impairment mechanisms, (ii) improved outcome prediction (e.g. development of prognostic models using machine learning algorithms), (iii) evaluation of treatment efficacy in existing and novel interventions and (iv) development of outcome measures (e.g. neurocognitive test development).

Advanced Computerized Neurocognitive Testing
Dr. Königs specializes in the use and development of computerized neurocognitive tests and advanced analysis of task performance (e.g. Ex-Gaussian analysis, diffusion model analysis). Work in progress is Emma's Toolbox, an in-house designed battery of computerized tests to measure neurocognitive functions in children. Emma’s Toolbox involves a fixed core battery that uses parametric difficulty manipulation and built-in contrast conditions to isolate neurocognitive processes in the following domains: information processing, attention, learning and memory, executive functioning, sensory functioning and motor functioning. The core battery can be expanded with modules for further assessment of specific neurocognitive functions of interest, such as emotion recognition, language or visual short term memory. Emma’s Toolbox is an expanding battery: new modules become available by continuous test development.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Brain Connectivity
Advanced MRI sequences are used to study the impact of disease and treatment on white matter integrity and brain connectivity. Based on diffusion tensor imaging, tract-based statistics is used to study white matter integrity, while structural connectivity is studied by probabilistic fiber tracking in combination with graph theory. Resting-state functional MRI is used to measure functional brain connectivity, using independent component analysis of resting-state networks as well as graph theory.

Projects
• Currently, dr. Königs is involved in the following projects:
• Long term neurocognitive follow-up of a large multicenter cohort of children with mild TBI (n ~ 1000). In collaboration with Nicky Niele (VU Medisch Centrum), Frans Plötz (Tergooi Ziekenhuis) and Marlies van Houten (Spaarne Gasthuis).
• Concussion Management of amateur and elite soccer players at AFC Ajax and the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). Daily supervisor of PhD candidate Shari Langdon (MSc) in a study on heading and concussion in amateur and elite soccer players.
• Implementation of a prospective long-term follow-up program (Follow Me) for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Daily supervisor of Noor de Sonnaville MD in a study on long-term outcome of sedation in children.
• The impact of aerobic and cognitive demanding activity on child development, a cluster-randomized controlled trials in in primary school children (N ~ 1000). Daily supervisor of one of the three PhD candidates (Anna Meijer, MSc) in a study on the impact of physical activity on brain development and neurocognitive functioning.
• Very long-term follow-up (15 years) of white matter integrity and neurocognitive functioning in children with traumatic brain injury. Collaboration with Sophie Lijdsman (Emma Children’s Hospital) and Celia Godfrey, Cathy Catroppa and Vicki Anderson (Murdoch Children’s Research Center, Melbourne Australia).
• ‘Reconstructing the Brain’s Network’, organizing a lecture and masterclass on brain network reconstruction and analysis. Collaboration with Prof. dr. David Sharp (Imperial College London, United Kingdom).

Commissions
• Member of the National Workgroup for Acquired Brain Injury in Youth (HEJ!)