Dr A. van der Heide (Anouk)

My research focuses on how stress affects brain function and decision-making. During my PhD and subsequent postdoctoral research, I investigated the effects of psychological stress in Parkinson’s disease, including the role of the noradrenergic stress system in tremor, as well as long-term stress and predictors of stress resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, I explored whether the effects of stress can be mitigated through pharmacological or mindfulness-based interventions.

As a postdoctoral researcher and project coordinator within the HEART2ADAPT project, I now investigate why people differ in their responses to threatening situations, and how interactions between the brain and body contribute to these differences. We combine behavioural paradigms, measures of autonomic and brain activity, pharmacological manipulations, and transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) to better understand the mechanisms underlying adaptive behaviour under threat.

I particularly value collaborative and interdisciplinary research, bringing together different perspectives and expertise to address complex scientific questions. Ultimately, my aim is to improve our understanding of neuropsychiatric symptoms and contribute to more targeted treatments.