Prof. Dr. Jean-Pierre Van Buyten

Pain Therapy & Neuroanesthesia Specialist

Prof. Jean-Pierre Van Buyten is an anesthesiologist, pain specialist, and internationally recognized expert in the field of invasive neuromodulation. He has extensive clinical and scientific experience in the treatment of chronic pain, with a particular focus on neuropathic pain, chronic back pain, complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS), and head and facial pain.

He studied medicine at theVrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where he specialized in anesthesiology, intensive care, neuroanesthesia, and pain therapy.

Throughout his career, he has developed specialized expertise in treating patients with complex and refractory pain syndromes. Since 2004, he has been affiliated with the multidisciplinary pain center atVITAZ in Sint-Niklaas, where invasive neuromodulation is a key component of his clinical practice.

Central to his work is the question of how we can better understand chronic pain and how targeted stimulation of the nervous system can contribute to pain reduction and improved daily functioning.

His clinical expertise includes various forms of invasive neuromodulation, including spinal cord stimulation (Spinal Cord Stimulation, SCS), dorsal root ganglion stimulation (Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation, DRG), and peripheral nerve stimulation.

These treatments involve the implantation of electrodes to influence the electrical activity of specific nerve structures. The most appropriate technique depends on the nature and cause of the pain, previous treatments, and the individual's medical situation.

In addition to his clinical work, Prof. Van Buyten makes a significant contribution to scientific research in the field of neuromodulation.

In 2017, he earned his doctorate from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel with his research titledDirect and Indirect Ganglion Stimulation for the Management of Chronic Pain. In this work, he investigated how targeted stimulation of nerve ganglia can contribute to the treatment of various chronic pain syndromes.

He is the author or co-author of numerous international scientific publications, including research onDRG stimulation for complex regional pain syndromeand amulticenter study on the safety and applicability of DRG neurostimulation for chronic pain.

Head and facial pain are also a major area of research. For example, he contributed to astudy on occipital nerve stimulation for refractory headacheand published oninvasive neurostimulation for facial pain and headache syndromes.

His scientific work contributes to a better understanding of which patients may benefit from specific stimulation techniques, how treatments can be applied more precisely, and what limitations and risks must be considered.

Prof. Van Buyten is also scientifically affiliated with theLaboratory for Experimental Anatomy at the VUB, where he is involved in research and the training of physicians and pain specialists.

He also plays an international role in knowledge development and training within neuromodulation. He was involved in the founding of the Benelux chapter of theInternational Neuromodulation Societyand in the development of theEuropean Continuing Medical Training (ECMT), which focuses on medical continuing education and knowledge exchange.

Through his clinical experience, scientific publications, and involvement in international training programs, he has contributed to the further development of invasive neuromodulation as a treatment option for selected patients with chronic pain.

Invasive neuromodulation at BRAI3N

Within BRAI3N, Prof. Van Buyten works closely withProf. Dirk De Ridder, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and co-founder of the center.

Together, they combine their expertise in pain management, neurosurgery, and neuromodulation to further develop and clinically apply invasive treatment options.

Through BRAI3N, they provide invasive neuromodulation in collaboration with VITAZ in Sint-Niklaas.Patients for whom an invasive treatment may be indicated can be further evaluated within this partnership. The specialized procedures take place in the hospital setting at VITAZ.

In this way, BRAI3N brings non-invasive and invasive neuromodulation together within a single clinical-scientific approach. It is not the technique, but the medical indication and the needs of the individual patient that determine which treatment options are considered.

For Prof. Van Buyten, progress in pain care means that new scientific insights are not only developed but also critically evaluated and applied responsibly.

His vision aligns closely with the core mission of BRAI3N: connecting scientific expertise with personalized care to offer patients with complex conditions a carefully substantiated treatment perspective.

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