Project Code MRCNMH25Ca Davies Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary In mice and humans loss-of-function of the steroid sulfatase (STS) enzyme results in inattention but enhanced motor response inhibition; we aim to understand the neurobiology underlying…
Unlocking the causes of eating disorders: investigating risk factors across development
Project Code MRCNMH25Ca Chawner Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Tackling eating disorders is of growing importance in society, with increasing numbers of children and young people referred to eating disorder services. This PhD project focuses…
The MEME project: Making Exercise interventions More Effective for depression and anxiety
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Wootton Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Exercise has been repeatedly shown to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therefore, prescribing exercise could be an effective alternative (or adjunct) to treatment for the…
Optical micro-structures and their application in next-generation brain-computer interface systems
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Whitcomb Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Brain-computer interfacing (BCI) could fundamentally transform how humans interact with computers. Current uses include prosthetic limb control, but future use could involve transformative technologies ranging from…
Finding the missing link in memory networks: Deciphering cortical-thalamic communication pathways critical for successful memory
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Warburton Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Our memories are stored in networks across the brain. Two regions, the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) and nucleus reuniens (NRe) are key parts of such a…
Transmission of self-harm from parents to children: identifying mechanisms and informing intervention
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Sallis Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary “This interdisciplinary PhD project will provide training in epidemiology, genetics, and advanced longitudinal methods. Data from two cohort studies will be used to i) investigate the…
Investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying apathy in Parkinson’s disease
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Robinson Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Apathy is a debilitating and highly prevalent symptom in people with Parkinson’s disease. It is often refractory to conventional dopaminergic therapy and is associated with poorer…
Using machine learning to investigate the role of cell assemblies in processing traumatic experiences and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Purple Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Groups of neurons known as cell assemblies become active during our daily experiences and reactivate over time, including during sleep. Whilst this reactivation is known to…
Exploring the role of hyaluronan in cognition across the lifespan
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Mifsud Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Hyaluronan (HA) is a structural component found in the spaces between the cells. HA is involved in a range of physiological functions that depend on the…
Linking neuronal function to mental health: How genetic risk factors impair cognitive flexibility and neural plasticity in schizophrenia.
Project Code MRCNMH25Br Mellor Research Theme Neuroscience & Mental Health Project Summary Download Summary Genetic risk factors for schizophrenia are clustered around genes that regulate synaptic function and adaptation, indicating common disrupted biological processes that underpin the cognitive impairments in…