Psychosis Studies

The Department of Psychosis Studies is one of the world’s largest research groups focused on psychosis, comprising around 55 research students and 90 staff, including 5 professors, 4 readers, 10 senior lecturers, and 12 lecturers. These include leading academics with an expertise in the application of genetics, epidemiology, psychopathology, neuroimaging, cognition and psychopharmacology in psychosis. The Department has extensive collaborative links with other centres worldwide, and includes over 100 visiting staff.

The Department has received the highest possible rating in the UK Research Assessment Exercise (5* and 4*) in the last 2 reviews 2001 and 2008. It currently holds approximately £3.9 million of annual research grant income, and has produced over 1,300 journal articles in the last five years.

The research carried out by the Department is focused on the aetiology and mechanisms underlying psychosis, and on the development of new treatments for psychotic disorders. Research studies may involve people with subclinical symptoms, groups at high risk, and patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Research activity is directly integrated with the local clinical services for psychosis in the South London And Maudsley NHS Trust, through the Psychosis Clinical Academic Group (CAG). This unique fusion of the research and clinical infrastructure facilitates implementation of the department’s academic strategy. It ensures that research and teaching reflect current clinical priorities, and that clinical practice is informed by the latest research findings.