Why I joined the Clinic
I am a Canadian neurologist who trained at the University of Montreal, Canada, before pursuing a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. What drew me to Edinburgh was the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between patient care and laboratory research - taking observations from the clinic directly into large-scale studies with rich data to better understand and treat neurological diseases. This bench-to-bedside approach represents the future of medical research, where we can rapidly translate discoveries into treatments that matter.
My Research
During my PhD training, supported by the Anne Rowling Clinic, I investigated how the body's immune system - specifically molecules called type I interferons - might contribute to brain disease. Interferons are like alarm signals that normally protect us from infections, but when persistently activated, they may damage the brain's blood vessels over time.
By studying naturally occurring genetic variants and measuring proteins in large-scale studies, my research revealed inflammation as a promising new target for preventing stroke and dementia, conditions that together affect millions worldwide.
These findings now serve as the foundation for my postdoctoral research at the Paris Brain Institute, where I continue exploring how we might develop new therapies to protect the brain's blood vessels and potentially prevent these devastating diseases before they occur.
Everyone at the Anne Rowling Clinic would like to wish Bastien all the best in Paris. We are proud to have helped launch the career of this promising clinician-scientist.