I have over 20 years of experience in psychosis research and neuroimaging. My areas of interest are auditory hallucinations, psychosis risk, and the effects of cannabis on the brain and mental health. More recently, I have researched the effects of anxiety and childhood trauma on brain networks and neurotransmitter concentrations.

I have published over 150 peer-reviewed papers in international journals and have been funded by the MRC, Wellcome Trust, Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation, British Academy, Rosetrees Trust, and industry partners.

I am currently funded by the MRC to lead the 'Psychosis Shared MRI Data Resource (Psy-ShareD)' and by a University of Lille Internal Chair Award to co-lead a project using multivariate pattern classification and fMRI-closed loop training to reduce hallucination severity in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Key publications:

• Allen P et al, 2021. Adverse clinical outcomes in people at clinical high-risk for psychosis related to altered interactions between hippocampal activity and glutamatergic function. Transl Psychiatry.
• Hepsomali P et al, 2023 Signatures of exposure to childhood trauma in young adults in the structure and neurochemistry of the superior temporal gyrus. J Psychopharmacol. 
• Bossong MG et al, 2019. Association of Hippocampal Glutamate Levels With Adverse Outcomes in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis. JAMA Psychiatry.
• Orlov ND et al, 2018. Real-time fMRI neurofeedback to down-regulate superior temporal gyrus activity in patients with schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations: a proof-of-concept study. Transl Psychiatry.
• Allen P et al, 2016. Resting Hyperperfusion of the Hippocampus, Midbrain, and Basal Ganglia in People at High Risk for Psychosis. Am J Psychiatry.

Key collaborators:

• Dr Matthew Kempton, King's College London
• Professor Veena Kumari|, Brunel University
• Professor Renaud Jardri, University of Lille
• Dr Simon Evans, University of Surrey