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On the occasion of World Parkinson’s Disease Day on April 11, 2026, Dr. Vincent Leclercq, neurologist and specialist in movement disorders at H.U.B, sheds light on the current realities of the disease and the importance of appropriate care. Parkinson’s disease is often mentioned, sometimes feared, but still poorly understood. Tremors, a disease affecting only the elderly… misconceptions are numerous. Yet knowledge and treatments have evolved considerably in recent years.On the occasion of an information day for patients organized this Saturday, April 11, 2026, Dr. Vincent Leclercq, neurologist and specialist in movement disorders at the Movement Disorders Clinic of H.U.B, sheds light on the current realities of the disease and the importance of appropriate care. A disease that does not only affect the elderly Contrary to popular belief, Parkinson’s disease is not only a disease of older people.“It is primarily an adult disease,” explains Dr. Leclercq.On average, the first symptoms appear around the age of fifty. However, early-onset forms exist, sometimes beginning in one’s twenties, as well as diagnoses at 80 or 90 years old.The disease affects both men and women. In Belgium, it concerns approximately 5% of the population, making it a common condition and a real public health issue. Early warning signs Parkinson’s disease is not limited to tremors. Three major so-called “cardinal” symptoms should raise attention:Resting tremor, usually affecting one hand at first, on one side, occurring when the hand is at rest.Bradykinesia (slowness of movement): movements become slower and less precise, handwriting changes, difficulty buttoning a shirt, loss of fine dexterity.Gait disturbances: walking slows down, steps become smaller, the body may lean forward.The disease also includes many non-motor symptoms, often less visible yet highly disabling:Digestive or urinary disordersDifficulty concentratingSlowed thinkingSwallowing disordersThese symptoms are sometimes the main complaint of patients. In case of doubt, referral to a specialized consultation is essential. Image A clinical diagnosis, sometimes made at the first consultation Parkinson’s disease is one of the few neurological diseases whose diagnosis is primarily clinical.It is based on observation of symptoms and neurological examination. Additional tests may be performed in case of doubt but are not systematic. The announcement of the diagnosis is often a shock. “It is a moment that disrupts the patient’s life,” emphasizes Dr. Leclercq.The team ensures that the diagnosis is delivered with sufficient time to answer questions, allow emotional expression, and lay the foundations for reassuring care.An essential message must be heard: it is possible to live autonomously with proper care. Image Care adapted to each stage of the disease In the early stagesTreatment mainly relies on dopatherapy: supplying the brain with the dopamine it lacks.Results can be spectacular:Significant improvement in symptomsPreserved quality of life for several yearsPatients may remain stable for a long time, with follow-up consultations mainly aimed at adjusting treatment.In more advanced stagesAfter 5 to 10 years, medication effectiveness may fluctuate. “On” periods (when treatment works well) alternate with “off” periods.Advanced therapies may then be proposed:Subcutaneous pump delivering continuous dopamine via a small needleDigestive pump administering dopamine directly into the stomach via a tube placed endoscopicallyDeep brain stimulation: a neurosurgical procedure implanting electrodes in deep brain structures, connected to a generator under the skin, similar to a pacemaker. This continuous stimulation compensates for deficient electrical activityThese solutions often allow better stability and significantly improve quality of life. Image An unpredictable progression, but structured support Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease.Its progression varies greatly from person to person. Some patients progress very slowly, others more rapidly. To date, it is not possible to precisely predict the rate of progression.Loss of autonomy may occur over time, particularly due to:Gait disordersRisk of fallsSwallowing difficultiesHowever, things have changed.In the past, complications (falls, aspiration, infections) often led to death. Today, thanks to appropriate and multidisciplinary care, people no longer die from Parkinson’s disease when it is properly managed.To preserve autonomy as long as possible and prevent complications, the consultation works closely with:PhysiotherapistsSpeech therapistsOther specialized professionals An information day to understand and exchange “This event is important because the disease remains poorly known and is often confused with other neurodegenerative conditions. Because 30-minute consultations every three months are not enough to cover all aspects of the disease. Because relatives and caregivers do not always have the opportunity to express their questions or difficulties,” explains Dr. Leclercq.The program included:Thematic sessions led by various speakersClear and accessible explanationsMoments for discussion and Q&AA space for open, stigma-free dialoguePromoting expertise and strengthening connectionsBeyond informing patients and the general public, this day also highlights the expertise of the specialized Parkinson’s consultation:An experienced teamA multidisciplinary approachMastery of advanced therapiesHuman and individualized support for patients and their relativesBecause better understanding the disease already helps to live better with it. And because a well-informed and well-supported patient remains an active participant in their care journey. Together, let’s advance the understanding and management of Parkinson’s diseaseFor any questions, you can contact the neurology consultation secretariat by email at secmed [dot] neuro [dot] erasme [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (secmed[dot]neuro[dot]erasme[at]hubruxelles[dot]be)  Discover the Clinic Dr Vincent Leclercq Neurologist and specialist in movement disorders.

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Image A full-day multidisciplinary update on pediatric spinal dysraphism and spinal deformitiesDate & Location:November 6, 2026 – Musée de la MédecineRegistration Morning Session – Spinal DysraphismTimeTitleSpeakers08:00 – 08:30Registration and Welcome Coffee 08:30 – 08:45Welcome and OverviewOlivier De Witte08:45 – 09:15Embryology of the spine and classification of spinal dysraphism 09:15 – 09:30Prenatal diagnosis and fetal imaging 09:30 – 09:45Role of MRI in postnatal evaluation 09:45 – 10:00Clinical assessment: from birth to childhood 10:00 – 10:20Coffee Break 10:30 – 10:45Myelomeningocele (MMC): lessons from the MOMS trialDu Four10:45 – 11:00Fetal surgery for MMCDe Vloo11:00 – 11:15Tethered cord syndrome 11:15 – 11:30Key Lecture: Long-term outcomes and multidisciplinary follow-up – Spina Bifida Clinic 11:30 – 11:45Urological management from childhood to adulthoodMoyson (TBC)11:45 – 12:00Quality of life and transition to adult careLombardo (TBC)12:15 – 13:15Lunch Break Afternoon Session – Spinal DeformitiesTimeTitleSpeakers13:30 – 14:00Etiology and classification of scoliosis and associated neuroaxis abnormalities (Chiari malformation – Syringomyelia)Pediatric Neurology (TBC)14:00 – 14:15Surgical management of scoliosis deformitiesLubansu14:15 – 14:30Early-onset and congenital scoliosisDelhaut14:30 – 14:45Scoliosis in children with cerebral palsyKaleeta14:45 – 15:00Keynote Lecture: Scoliosis, Chiari malformation and syringomyelia – which to treat first? 15:15 – 15:45Coffee Break Afternoon Session – Part II: Craniovertebral Junction (CVJ)TimeTitleSpeakers15:45 – 16:00CVJ anatomy and biomechanics 16:00 – 16:15CVJ instability – etiologiesDi Rocco16:15 – 16:30Radiological criteria for CVJ instability 16:30 – 16:45Occipito-cervical decompression and posterior vault remodeling 16:45 – 17:00Transoral decompression: principles and indications 17:00 – 17:15C1–C2 posterior fixation 17:15 – 17:30Keynote Lecture: Short- and long-term risks of posterior instrumentation in childrenRobin17:30ConclusionsOlivier De Witte17:45 – 18:30Networking Drink  Location: Musée de la MédecineCampus Erasme – Place FacultaireRoute de Lennik, 8081070 BruxellesBelgiqueInfo:Symposium [dot] Paeds [dot] Neurosurgery [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (Symposium[dot]Paeds[dot]Neurosurgery[at]hubruxelles[dot]be) 

Symposium – Organized by the Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Neuropediatrics, and Intensive Care departments of the H.U.B November 7, 2025 Registration for the Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Symposium – November 7, 2025 Registration  Inscriptions ICIProgram The full programPractical InformationDate: November 7, 2025Time: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PMVenue: Museum of Medicine, ULB-HUB, Erasme Hospital808 Route de Lennik, 1070 BrusselsRegistrationRegistration link coming soon✔ Accreditation requested for ethics and economics.This symposium is organized by the Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Neuropediatrics, and Intensive Care departments of H.U.BFees:Medical Professionals: €60Paramedical Professionals and Students: €20ContactFor any inquiries, please contact us at: Symposium [dot] Paeds [dot] Neurosurgery [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (Symposium[dot]Paeds[dot]Neurosurgery[at]hubruxelles[dot]be)Prof. Olivier De WitteDr. Viviana Minichini

Our role Paediatrics is the medical speciality  that is concerned with the growing child in his or her entirety, irrespective of any organs or tissues that may be affected by disease. Paediatric care is decided in partnership with parents and loved ones. In the case of an illness that is chronic or of long duration the paediatricians accompany the child throughout his or her development and ensure the transition to adult medicine.    Image Image Our activities are preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic. At a university hospital such as ours we treat the most complex cases that may demand a multidisciplinary approach and/or advanced treatments. Pr Françoise Vermeulen Head of the Interhospital Integrated Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Department at the H.U.B Our specialities The H.U.B’s Department of Paediatrics includes 10 services and deploys its outpatient (consultations) activities  at the  HUDERF and the Erasmus Hospital, home to one of the H.U.B’s four paediatric hospitalisation units.   At the Erasmus site (Anderlecht), the Integrated Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Department proposes a number of general and specialised consultations:    General Paediatrics treats children with complex and/or rare diseases, adopting a multidisciplinary approach when necessary.   Allergology proposes diagnostic assessments and treatment for   Asthma (see Research) and respiratory allergic diseases   (prick test, respiratory function tests, etc.)  Food allergies: oral provocation tests, desensitization/induction of tolerance, etc. ;  Drug allergies: provocation tests in the case of a suspected allergy to antibiotics (penicillin), for example.    Gastro-paediatrics is concerned with children with diseases of the digestive tube that sometimes require complex endoscopic treatment, such as chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases (CIID), chronic constipation, gastro-intestinal malformations, etc.   Paediatric endocrinology treats growth disorders, child diabetes, etc.   Paediatric nephrology treats infections, malformations and other kidney diseases.   (Extremely) premature infants are cared for by the Paediatrics Department, possibly in cooperation with a private paediatrician, on leaving neonatalogy. The Travel Baby Clinic welcomes families with children aged under 16 for prophylactic treatment and the treatment of tropical infectious diseases (e.g.: malaria, breakbone fever, vaccination, etc.)   Paramedical paediatric consultations :  dieticians, psychologists and physiotherapists specialised in childhood diseases also propose consultations at the Erasmus Hospital.   Paediatrics adopts a “pain-free” approach for all potentially painful interventions (wart curettage, placing or removing stitches, minor surgery, etc.).     Our team Image Our specialist doctors Focus The H.U.B’s paediatric neurosurgery clinic treats children from throughout Belgium with brain tumours or cerebral vascular malformations. These children benefit from the latest neuroimaging  techniques (MEG, PET-MR) and multidisciplinary care that includes specialists in neuropaediatrics, in neurosurgery, in neuro-oncology and in  interventional neuroradiology.     Image Research The H.U.B’s Interhospital Integrated Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Department is active in clinical research with a particular focus on rare cases and neurosurgery. Asthma and respiratory diseases are important avenues of research. The Department is also part of the Asthma Working Group network that is linked to the European Society of Pneumology.    Publications Clinicopathological and molecular characterization of a case classified by DNAmethylation profiling as "CNS embryonal tumor with BRD4-LEUTX fusion Authors : Lebrun L, Allard-Demoustiez S, Gilis N, Van Campenhout C, Rodesch M, Roman C, Calò P, Lolli V, David P, Fricx C, De Witte O, Escande F, Maurage CA, Salmon I.   Journal : Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2023 Mar 18;11(1):46.   A semi high-throughput whole blood-based flow cytometry assay to detect and monitor Bordetella pertussis-specific Th1, Th2 and Th17 responses Authors : Corbière V, Lambert EE, Rodesch M, van Gaans-van den Brink JAM, Misiak A, Simonetti E, Van Praet A, Godefroid A, Diavatopoulos DA, van Els CACM, Mascart F; PERISCOPE WP5 Task 7 working groupJournal : Front Immunol. 2023 Feb 6;14:1101366.  What is a clinically meaningful change in exhaled nitric oxide for children with asthma? Authors : Fielding S, Pijnenburg M, de Jongste J, Pike K, Roberts G, Petsky H, Chang AB, Fritsch M, Frischer T, Szefler S, Gergen P, Vermeulen F, Vael R, Turner SJournal : Pediatr Pulmonol. 2020 Mar;55(3):599-606. Indications and efficiency of dapsone in IgA vasculitis (Henoche-Schonlein purpura): case series and a review of the literature. Authors : Roman C, Dima B, Muyshont L, Schurmans T, Gilliaux O.Journal : Eur J Pediatr. 2019 Aug;178(8):1275-1281