Towards a better understanding and treatments for the rare genetic brain disorder called CASK

Project Code MRCNMH25Br Hodge  Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary CASK is a protein found at synapses between neurons in the brain. Human mutations cause brain and behavioural problems including severe epilepsy, sleep, movement and learning…

Unlocking the secrets of fentanyl: exploring the anomalous pharmacology of fentanyl at the µ-opioid receptor

Project Code MRCNMH25Br Corey Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Fentanyl is a dangerous synthetic opioid that is responsible for more US overdoses than any other drug, yet much remains to be understood about its pharmacology.…

Cannabinoids in the ticking network of the brainstem satiety centre

Project Code MRCNMH25Br Chrobok Research Theme Cross-CuttingInfection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and RepairNeuroscience and Mental HealthPopulation Health Sciences Project Summary Download Summary Most physiological processes including feeding follow circadian (~24h) cycles. In mammals, these rhythms are generated by endogenous ‘body clocks’…

Contactless vital signs and movement monitoring and brain development in extremely premature infants- a translational study

Project Code MRCNMH25Br Chakkarapani Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Currently used wired contact-based sensor system for vital sign monitoring in extremely premature babies, born before 28 weeks of pregnancy, could damage their skin and impede…

Understanding neuronal dysfunction in Tuberous Sclerosis

Project Code MRCNMH25Br Carroll Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Mutations in the TSC1 gene lead to Tuberous Sclerosis (TS), a genetic disorder associated with severe neurological symptoms. However, how mutations in TSC1 affect the brain…

Do experiences in Virtual Reality change body perception and satisfaction, in individuals with and without eating disorders

Project Code MRCNMH25Br Bould Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Current treatments for eating disorders work for less than half of those affected, so it is vital to develop novel treatments. Virtual Reality enables a unique…

The Experience and Impact of Psychedelic Therapy as Treatment for Mental Health Disorders in Women Survivors of Sexual Assault

Project Code MRCNMH25Ba Williamson Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary “Sexual assault (SA) often leads to mental health difficulties and, as standard treatments have poor response rates, many survivors suffer with long-term mental ill health. Psychedelic…

Brain growth mechanisms involving axon volume and myelination linked with autism spectrum disorder.

Project Code MRCNMH25Ba Ward Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Correct axonal volume and myelination are essential for neuronal function. Little is currently known about mechanisms controlling axon volume and loss of brain myelin occurs in…

What are the biological mechanisms underlying the association between smoking, smoking cessation and mental health: a triangulation approach using machine learning, mendelian randomisation, and g-methods applied to multiple biological cohort studies.

Project Code MRCNMH25Ba Taylor Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary What are the biological mechanisms underlying the association between smoking, smoking cessation, and mental health? A growing body of evidence supports smoking as a causal risk…

Identification of ion channel dysfunction in epilepsy with machine learning

Project Code MRCNMH25Ba Nogaret Research Theme Neuroscience and Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Ion channel mutations are increasingly recognised as an early prognosis for neurological disease.  The identification of dysfunctional ion channels is currently hindered by the lack of…