
Professor Jonna Kuntsi PhD
Professor of Developmental Disorders and Neuropsychiatry
Research interests
- Mental Health
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Biography
Jonna Kuntsi is Professor of Developmental Disorders and Neuropsychiatry at the Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. She first joined the Centre as a Lecturer, following training (BSc, MSc, PhD) and positions at University College London and the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
Her research focuses on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disorders that often co-occur with ADHD, which range from other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, such as autism and depression, to physical conditions, such as cardiometabolic disease. She takes a developmental approach, studying the disorders and traits from childhood to adulthood. An example is her research on the persistence and remittance of ADHD. Etiological studies range from sibling and twin studies to polygenic risk studies and an investigation of preterm birth as a risk factor. She also has a strong interest in protective factors and studies, for example, the effects of physical activity on ADHD symptoms and associated impairments. Another interest is the development of digital, cognitive, neural and clinical markers in ADHD and overlapping conditions. She also investigates the relative age effect – the long-term disadvantages for the individuals who were the youngest in a school class.
A major focus currently is the development and application of a novel remote measurement technology system for ADHD and associated disorders and traits (for ages 16+).
She is on the Steering Committee and a Principal Investigator in many international research networks, including the European ADHD network ‘Eunethydis’ (https://eunethydis.eu/), the International Multi-centre Persistent ADHD Collaboration ‘IMpACT’ (https://www.impactadhdgenomics.com/) and the ECNP ADHD across the Lifespan Network (https://www.ecnp.eu/research-innovation/ECNP-networks/List-ECNP-Networks/ADHD-across-lifespan-network). She actively collaborates with patient advocacy organisations, including ADHD Europe (https://adhdeurope.eu/) and the UK ADHD Information and Support Service (http://www.addiss.co.uk/), and with SMEs, such as Empatica (www.empatica.com/).
Research groups:
Leads the ADHD Remote Technology (ART) group with Professor Richard Dobson.
Areas of PhD supervision include:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders, especially ADHD
- Remote measurement technology for ADHD and related disorders
- Long-term outcomes: persistence vs remittance of ADHD in adulthood
- Preterm birth as a risk factor for ADHD and impairments in cognitive and brain function
- Co-occurrence of ADHD symptoms with other disorders, such as bipolar disorder and autism
- Effects of physical activity on cognition, brain function and ADHD symptoms
Teaching:
- Teaching on neurodevelopmental disorders on iBSc and MSc courses
- PhD Admissions & Subcommittees
Research

ADHD Remote Technology (ART)
The ADHD Remote Technology (ART) research programme focuses on the development and application of a novel remote measurement technology system for ADHD

ART-pilot
The ADHD Remote Technology pilot feasibility study (ART-pilot) involves the initial development stages of the new remote measurement technology system for ADHD
Project status: Ongoing

ART-CARMA - The ADHD Remote Technology study of cardiometabolic risk factors and medication adherence
ART-CARMA, the ADHD Remote Technology study of cardiometabolic risk factors and medication adherence, is a large remote monitoring project on adults with ADHD
Project status: Ongoing
News
IoPPN to collaborate on new MRC funded project to investigate ADHD among women
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has awarded funding to co-investigators Professor Jonna Kuntsi and Professor Richard Dobson at the Institute of Psychiatry,...

Younger children in a school class at greater risk of long-term negative outcomes like low educational achievement and substance misuse
Being young in a school class – puts a child at a long-term disadvantage compared to their older peers. Researchers are now calling for greater flexibility...

ART-CARMA Clinical Study part of 6m Euro global programme
The EU funded project will utilise new wearable technology and smartphone apps to obtain real time data from adults with ADHD

Research

ADHD Remote Technology (ART)
The ADHD Remote Technology (ART) research programme focuses on the development and application of a novel remote measurement technology system for ADHD

ART-pilot
The ADHD Remote Technology pilot feasibility study (ART-pilot) involves the initial development stages of the new remote measurement technology system for ADHD
Project status: Ongoing

ART-CARMA - The ADHD Remote Technology study of cardiometabolic risk factors and medication adherence
ART-CARMA, the ADHD Remote Technology study of cardiometabolic risk factors and medication adherence, is a large remote monitoring project on adults with ADHD
Project status: Ongoing
News
IoPPN to collaborate on new MRC funded project to investigate ADHD among women
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has awarded funding to co-investigators Professor Jonna Kuntsi and Professor Richard Dobson at the Institute of Psychiatry,...

Younger children in a school class at greater risk of long-term negative outcomes like low educational achievement and substance misuse
Being young in a school class – puts a child at a long-term disadvantage compared to their older peers. Researchers are now calling for greater flexibility...

ART-CARMA Clinical Study part of 6m Euro global programme
The EU funded project will utilise new wearable technology and smartphone apps to obtain real time data from adults with ADHD
