Early life and development The human brain has 86 billion neurons, connected circuits that underlie every thought, movement, and aspect of life. We investigate how the brain is built, and how these precise connections are made. By understanding how abnormal brain development impacts behaviour, we investigate autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and epilepsy, to improve treatments and outcomes. Building brains Brain circuits Autism spectrum disorder Epilepsy Schizophrenia
Lifelong health and disorders By understanding how the nervous system repairs and regenerates, we will improve outcomes after stroke, spinal cord injury, and tumours. Discovering the causes of chronic pain and finding new treatments could be life-changing for sufferers. Understanding neuroinflammation (inflammatory responses in our brain and spinal cord), sleep and hearing loss could lead to new treatments as we work to improve health for us all. Chronic pain and migraine Neuroinflammation Repair and regeneration Hearing and sensory systems Memory & Sleep
Ageing and neurodegeneration We all age, yet little is understood why some remain fit and healthy, whilst others experience debilitating diseases. Our research investigates the role of our genes and the environment in underlying conditions such as Alzheimer's, motor neuron disease and Parkinson's diseases. By understanding healthy ageing, improving early diagnosis, and finding new treatments, we work towards a happy and healthy old age for all. Healthy ageing ALS/motor neuron disease Frontotemporal dementia Alzheimer's disease Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases
Neuroscience of mental health and memory Mental health disorders often begin early in life and contribute to lifelong incapacity or reduced life span. Uniquely placed within the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience, our colleagues lead the world in mental health research. We work together to understand how changes in cells and circuits underlie mental health conditions, investigating potential new avenues for the treatment of these devastating diseases. Autism spectrum disorder Mood disorders Schizophrenia
Brain modelling and imaging We use imaging to show nervous system structure and function; computational neuroscience and its mathematical modelling providing further insights. Our cutting-edge approaches and techniques model brain structure and function at all levels, from individual cells to human behaviour. Our specialist units include pre-clinical, clinical and pharmacological imaging, and in-vitro cellular and stem-cell models. Human imaging Pharmacological imaging Pre-clinical imaging Computational neuroscience and analytics
Our facilities We lead the world in the developing new research methods and techniques. We identify key genes in devastating diseases and how changes in cells and brain circuitry affect brain development. Our pre-clinical and computational research provides insights of disease models, complemented by research in healthy people. Working directly with patients, our clinical research team truly translate discoveries from bench to bedside. Brain Bank Pre-clinical imaging MRI scanning NIHR Wellcome Clinical Research Facility Wohl Cellular Imaging Centre
What is neuroscience? Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, from structure to function, in health and disease
Centres Specialist neuroscience centres, world-leading in understanding the brain at all stages of life
14 September 2023 Dr Ana Dorrego-Rivas and Dr Clementine Edwards receive the Wellcome Early-Career Awards The 5-year fellowship supports Dr Dorrego-Rivas’ project “Activity-dependent co-ordination of axonal…
5 September 2023 Anti-platelet therapy could help improve outcomes for patients with a deadly form of brain bleed, new study reveals A new study has shown that anti-platelet therapy could help improve outcomes for patients with…
31 August 2023 New Co-Heads of Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience Appointment of Professor Sandrine Thuret and Professor Karl Peter Giese introduces a new…
10 August 2023 New orally available drug for spinal cord injury found to be safe and tolerable in healthy participants New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College…