History

The Belgian Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, abbreviated as BSNM, was founded on February 7th  2023 by Sébastien Kindt and Heiko De Schepper. The primary objective is to stimulate distribution of knowledge about motility disorders and disorders of gut-brain interaction from a clinical point of view among healthcare professionals. Other objectives include the stimulation of research and increasing awareness among the general public. To meet these objectives the BSNM organises meetings on the different aspects of these disorders.

The governing board of BSNM consists of Prof. Dr. Sébastien Kindt (president), Prof. Dr. Heiko De Schepper (secretary), Dr. Magali Surmont (treasurer), Prof. Dr. Hubert Louis (vice-president), Dr. Frederik de Clerck, Prof. Dr. Danny De Looze, Prof. Dr. Hubert Piessevaux, Prof. Dr. Tim Vanuytsel, Dr. Fabien Wuestenberghs, Dr. Youssef Mourabit, Dr. Kathleen Van Malderen, Dr. Haydeh Vafa Zanjani and Prof. Dr. Ilse Hoffmann. The general assembly is held twice a year.

Notwithstanding its recent foundation, the BSNM held its own session during the Belgian Week of Gastroenterology. During this session, state-of-the-art lectures from international experts in the field alternated with presentation of research from different specialists in Belgium. The large audience during the session reflects the existing interest in this field in gastroenterology.

Since its foundation the BSNM continues organising the Motility Meetings. The origin of these meetings precedes the foundation of the BSNM, when they were chaired by Prof. Jan Tack. However, the goal remains the same: increasing knowledge about the field of neurogastroenterology among healthcare professionals by promoting interaction around challenging topics and clinical cases.

BSNM intensively collaborates with GIREM (Gastrointestinal Regulatory mechanisms). By working together, BSNM and GIREM want to promote translational research and bring discoveries from basic science into the clinical field. Conversely, this partnership provide direction for future basis research with future clinical impact.