Specialization
Medical Neuropsychology
Focus of research
Martin Klein is a clinical neuropsychologist and professor in medical neuropsychology at the Amsterdam UMC and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands. His research, in close cooperation with the departments of neurology, neurosurgery, and radiation oncology, focuses on several aspects:
Neurocognitive Functioning and Quality of Life in high-grade glioma patients
Initially research focused on determining neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life of patients with brain tumors. This resulted in influential papers on neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life of high-grade glioma patients at the time of diagnosis, at follow-up, at the time of recurrence, and on the prognostic value of neurocognitive functioning.
Impact of Treatment on Low-Grade Glioma and Neurological Patients
Regarding low-grade glioma patients, and other neurological patients, studies on the impact of surgery, radiotherapy, and on epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on neurocognitive functioning and health-related quality of life are ongoing. The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation in patients with focal seizures has been addressed in a number of studies.
Understanding Brain Mechanisms Underlying Neurological Symptoms
Currently research aims at determining the brain mechanisms underlying frequent symptoms (e.g., neurocognitive deficits, epilepsy, fatigue, depression), the prevention of treatment effects on neurocognitive functioning, and on behavioral or pharmaceutical symptom treatment in primary and metastatic brain tumor patients and in oncological patients undergoing neurotoxic treatments affecting brain functioning.
Activities
Within the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), Martin Klein is entrusted with the scientific management of cognitive assessments across approximately 90 participating centers in Europe, contributing significantly to the clinical trials initiated by the EORTC Brain Tumor Group.
In 2023, Martin Klein extended his expertise to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), contributing to the global assessment and reporting of radiation exposure levels and their effects, and helping to establish protective measures based on these evaluations.
Awards
- Received the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation and Society for Neuro-Oncology Award for Excellence in Quality of Life Research in 2001
- Honored with the National Brain Tumor Foundation/Tug McGraw Foundation Caregiver Research Award in 2008
- Awarded the Excellence of Applied Neuro-Oncology in 2017