Early life & 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 Epilepsy Autism spectrum disorder Schizophrenia
Lifelong health & 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 & migraine Repair & regeneration Neuroinflammation Sleep Hearing loss
Ageing & 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 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 everyone. Healthy ageing ALS & motor neuron disease Dementias Huntington’s disease Parkinson's disease
Neuroscience of mental health 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 Schizophrenia Affective disorders
Brain modelling & imaging We use imaging to show nervous system structure and function; computational neuroscience and its mathematical modelling providing further insights. Our wide range of cutting-edge approaches and techniques model brain structure and function at all levels, from individual cells to human behaviour. Our specialist units include preclinical, clinical and pharmacological imaging, and in-vitro cellular and stem-cell models. Clinical imaging Pharmacological imaging Pre-clinical imaging Computational neuroscience & analytics
Techniques and approaches King's Neuroscience leads the world in the development of new methods and techniques. We identify key genes in devastating diseases and how changes in cells and brain circuitry effect brain development. Our pre-clinical and computational neuroscience research provides novel insights of disease models, complemented by research in healthy people. Working directly with patients, our clinical research leaders truly translate discoveries from bench to bedside. Genetics Cells Pre-clinical Healthy people In the clinic
17 September 2024 Professor Laura Andreae awarded the Louise Hanson Marshall Special Recognition Award by the Society for Neuroscience The award honours individuals who have significantly promoted the professional development of women…
30 August 2024 Dulled emotional reactions in individuals with anhedonia linked with prolonged activity of the brain's attentional networks. Anhedonia-related emotional blunting is linked with abnormally sustained activity in brain areas…
28 August 2024 King's researchers join £28.5 million Human Functional Genomics Initiative Professor Oscar Marín and Professor Deepak Srivastava co-lead the research cluster Functional…
30 July 2024 Research into axonal dysfunction in neurodegeneration awarded £3.9 million by Medical Research Council and the Motor Neurone Disease Association Researchers will systematically investigate and design therapeutic strategies to address diseases at…