Research information:
I am a postdoctoral research fellow supported by a COFAS/Marie Curie fellowship. After receiving an MSc degree in Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, I completed my PhD project in 2010 at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. The main aim of my thesis was to gain insight in potential neurobiological markers for psychosis. I combined various assessment methods (structural MRI, EEG, behavioral measures) over time in adolescents with a well-defined high-risk profile and compared them with typically developing adolescents. Results showed that reduced prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex and progressive structural brain changes were associated with risk for psychosis.

Currently I am involved in a longitudinal project (Brainchild) examining a community sample of Swedish children and young adults. The overall aim of the project is to study relations between genetics, structural & functional brain measures and behavior during early development. The focus of my work is on candidate genes, structural and functional brain measures, working memory and problem behavior.

Next August I will commence a full-time Assistant Professor appointment at the Department of Clinical Child & Adolescent studies at Leiden University, the Netherlands.


Refereed journal articles:

Ziermans T, Dumontheil I, Roggeman C, Peyrard-Janvid M, Matsson H, Kere J, Klingberg T (2012). Working memory brain activity and capacity link MAOA polymorphism to aggressive behavior during development. Trans Psychiatry, art. no. e85.

Ziermans TB, Schothorst PF, Schnack HG, Koolschijn PCMP, Kahn RS, van Engeland H, Durston S (2012). Progressive structural brain changes during development of psychosis. Schizophr Bull, 38(3):519-30.

Ziermans TB, Schothorst PF, Sprong M, Magnée MJCM, van Engeland H, Kemner C (2012). Reduced prepulse inhibition as an early vulnerability marker of the psychosis prodrome in adolescence. Schizophr Res, 134(1):10-15.

Dumontheil I, Roggeman C, Ziermans T, Peyrard-Janvid M, Matsson H, Kere J, Klingberg T (2011). Influence of the COMT genotype on working memory and brain activity changes during development. Biol Psychiatry, 70(3):222-229.

Ziermans TB, Schothorst PF, Magnée MJ, van Engeland H, Kemner C (2011). Reduced prepulse in adolescents at risk for psychosis: A 2-year follow-up study, J Psychiatry Neurosci, 36(2):127-134.

Ziermans TB, Schothorst PF, Sprong M, van Engeland H (2011). Transition and remission in adolescents at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Schizophr Res, 126(1-3):58-64.

Van Rijn S, Aleman A, Sonneville L, Sprong M, Ziermans T, Schothorst P, van Engeland H, Swaab H. Neuroendocrine markers of high risk for psychosis: Salivary testosterone in adolescent boys with prodromal symptoms (2011). Psychol Med, 41(9):1815-1822.

Van Rijn S, Schothorst P, Wout MV, Sprong M, Ziermans T, van Engeland H, Aleman A, Swaab H (2011). Affective dysfunctions in adolescents at risk for psychosis: Emotion awareness and social functioning. Psychiatry Res, 187(1-2):100-105.

Van Rijn S, Aleman A, Sonneville L, Sprong M, Ziermans T, Schothorst P, van Engeland H, Swaab H (2010). Misattribution of facial expressions of emotion in adolescents at increased risk of psychosis: the role of inhibitory control. Psychol Med, 27, 1-10.

Ziermans TB, Durston S, Sprong M, Nederveen H, van Haren NE, Schnack H, Lahuis BE, Schothorst, PF, van Engeland H (2009). No evidence for structural brain changes in young adolescents at risk for psychosis. Schizophr Res, 112(1-3):1-6.

Sprong M, Becker HE, Schothorst PF, Swaab H, Ziermans TB, Dingemans PM, Linszen D, van Engeland, H. (2008). Pathways to psychosis: a comparison of the pervasive developmental disorder subtype Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder and the "At Risk Mental State". Schizophr Res, 99(1-3):38-47.

Durston S, Fossella JA, Mulder MJ, Casey BJ, Ziermans TB, Vessaz MN, van Engeland H: Dopamine-transporter genotype interacts with familial risk for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and striatal activity (2008). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 47(1), 61-67.

Durston S, Mulder M, Casey BJ, Ziermans T, van Engeland H (2006): Activation in Ventral Prefrontal Cortex is Sensitive to Genetic Vulnerability for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Biol Psychiatry, 60(10):1062-1070.

Letters to the Editor:

Van Rijn S, Aleman A, Sonneville L, Sprong M, Ziermans T, Schothorst P, van Engeland H, Swaab H. (2011). Reply: Adiposity as a possible mediator of low testosterone salivary levels in adolescent boys in prodromal stages of psychosis. Psychol Med, 41(9):2011-2012.