Interview with Dr. Pieter Vos – 8th European Congress on Neurorehabilitation in conjunction with the 20th Congress of the Society for the Study of Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity

Interviewee: Dr. Pieter Vos

Interviewer: Ms. Stefana-Andrada Dobran

The 8th European Congress on Neurorehabilitation, in conjunction with the 20th Congress of the Society for the Study of Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity, was held on 27–28 October 2025 in Torremolinos, Spain.

The landmark event highlighted innovations that are actively reshaping neurorehabilitation, including:

• Brain–Computer Interfaces: Advancing from theoretical concepts to real-world clinical applications for functional restoration.

• AI, Virtual Reality, and Robotics: Enhancing rehabilitation through more precise, personalised, and adaptive treatment protocols.

• Advanced Pharmacological Therapies: Developing agents that actively support and protect neuroplasticity.

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Emphasising that the most impactful innovations emerge at the intersection of multiple specialties.

Dr. Pieter Vos is a neurologist at Slingeland Hospital in the Netherlands, with a clinical focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI). Earlier in his career, he worked within the Department of Neurology at Radboud University Medical Center. Over several decades, his work has concentrated on understanding how clinical characteristics, biochemical mechanisms, and genetic factors influence neuroplasticity and recovery following brain injury. Recognized as a key contributor to European neurotrauma research, he currently serves as co-chair of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Task Force on Mild TBI (term running until 2026). He is also a member of the EAN Neurotraumatology Panel. In addition, he has coordinated major clinical research projects and contributed to the development of international treatment guidelines.

In this interview, Dr. Pieter Vos highlights the essential role of multidisciplinary collaboration in neurorehabilitation, emphasizing the need to bring together specialists across disciplines to improve patient outcomes. He discusses the importance of practical, usable clinical guidelines and education to support real-world implementation in patient care. Dr. Vos also reflects on the growing impact of artificial intelligence and emerging neurotechnologies, while stressing that human clinical expertise will remain essential. Additionally, he outlines his vision for the European Academy of Neurology Task Force on mild traumatic brain injury.