In The News 2011 |
December
2011 |
Medal Awarded for Stroke Research
Congratulations to Professor Martin Dennis (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences) on being awarded the Bhowmick Medal for 2012 by the Welsh Association of Stroke Physicians in recognition of his "tremendous contribution to Stroke Medicine". Martin will collect his medal in June 2012.
December 2011 |
£1 Million Donation to the Patrick Wild Centre
Dame Stephanie Shirley has donated £1 million to The Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities. Dame Shirley's son suffered from autism and epilepsy and she has generously supported research into autism over many years, donating about £50 million since 2001. Her donation will directly support research in the Patrick Wild Centre at the University of Edinburgh.
BBC online (04dec11)
STV (04dec11)
The Telegraph (03dec11)
December 2011 |
Preventing the spread of vCJD
Dr Neil Mabbot (Roslin Institute) has been profiled in the media following publication of research from the Roslin Institute indicating that the production of PrPC protein is essential for the spread of prions.
BBC online (02dec11)
December 2011 |
| November 2011 |
Hysteria in Newsweek
Professor Jon Stone (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences) has discussed the diagnosis of Hysteria in the popular magazine 'Newsweek'.
Newsweek (28nov11)
November 2011 |
Edinburgh Neuroscience Student Turns Comedian for the Night
Callum Johnston (PhD student in Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems, and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology) recently took part in an Edinburgh Bright Club, organised by Edinburgh Beltane at the City Cafe. Bright Club was started by University College London as a means to engage the public in academic ideas through comedy, and has been so successful it has spread across the country. This was the 3rd such event in Edinburgh. This was Callum's first attempt at comedy and was really rather good - well done Callum!
more information about Bright Club
November 2011 |
Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre Now Has a Website
A new interdisciplinary research centre has been formed at the University of Edinburgh thanks to the generosity of the Muir Maxwell Trust who have pledged to raise £1million toward the centre. Dr Richard Chin (who has joined us from the University College London Institute of Child Health) is now in post as it's Director. A temporary website is being hosted by Edinburgh Neuroscience and contains information about this exciting new development at Edinburgh.
MMEC website
November 2011 |
Prof Robert Logie elected as member of Governing Board of the Psychonomics Society
Congratulations to Prof Robert Logie (Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology) as he has just been elected as a member of the Governing Board of the Psychonomics Society to serve from 2012-2017. This is an influential USA-based academic society that publishes six major journals in Experimental Psychology, and runs a large annual conference either in the US or in Canada. There are international members of the Society, but this is the first time that someone from outside of North America has been elected by the membership to serve on their Governing Board.
November 2011 |
DNA study shows link between schizophrenia and memory processes
Prof Seth Grant (Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences) and colleagues at the University of Cardiff have published a study in 'Molecular Psychiatry' indicating that genetic mutations that cause schizophrenia could be linked to systems in the brain responsible for learning and memory. They have identified genetic mutations in patients with schizophrenia who had not inherited the condition. The study showed that these mutations occurred among a set of proteins, the NMDA receptor signalling complex, that play a key role in memory function.
Edinburgh Evening News (16nov11)
original Molecular Psychiatry paper (15nov11)
November 2011 |
Prof Tom Gillingwater awarded grant from Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
Prof Tom Gilling water (Centre for Integrative Physiology and Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research) has been in the news following the announcement by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign of the award of a grant for his research.
The Scotsman (10nov11)
November 2011 |
Ground-breaking ceremony for Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic
JK Rowling has buried a time capsule to mark the start of building work on the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic. The capsule contains accounts from individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease, as well as comments from clinicians on their hopes for what the clinic will achieve. The clinic, which will provide specialist care and foster research in the field of neurodegenerative disease, was made possible by a £10M donation to the University of Edinburgh by Ms Rowling, in memory of her mother Anne, who died of multiple sclerosis. The clinic will target the discovery of treatments that will slow progression of neurodegenerative diseases, with the ultimate ambition of repairing damage.
University of Edinburgh News (04Nov11)
The Herald (08nov11)
The Scotsman (08nov11)
STV online (07nov11)
November 2011
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October
2011 |
Helen Maude Garfit Fund raises £54,000 for Patrick Wild Centre
The Helen Maude Garfit Fund has raised £54,000 for the Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities. The fund is named after the 1908 All England Lawn Tennis Ladies Champion and has been set up to support the Patrick Wild Centre after Helen's granddaughter, Maude Brownlie, was diagnosed with a Fragile X Syndrome related condition. Two of Maude's grandchildren also suffer from Fragile X syndrome. Maude Brownlie presented the cheque to the Co-Director of the Patrick Wild Centre, Professor Peter Kind, at the end of a public lecture he delivered on Fragile X syndrome as part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine's 'Medical Detectives' series.
October 2011 |
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Prof Tom Gillingwater is new Editor-in-Chief at Journal of Anatomy
Congratulations to Professor Tom Gillingwater (Centre for Integrative Physiology and Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research) on becoming the new Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Anatomy.
October 2011
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Near-death experiences are just normal brain function
Dr Caroline Watt, Psychology, has published a review paper concluding that near-death experiences are the result of normal brain function during a traumatic, although sometimes harmless, event.
BBC online (31oct11)
Mail online (31oct11)
original Trends in Cognitive Science paper (oct11)
October 2011 |
Retrotransposon activity may impact on brain function
Dr Geoff Faulkner and colleagues at The Roslin Institute have published research that may change the way we think about brain cells and the onset of disease states. They have mapped the DNA mutations in brain tissue caused by retrotransposons - genetic elements that can insert near genes - to identify mutation sites which may impact on brain function. They are now investigating whether these sites are involved in brain tumour formation or neurodegenerative deiseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.
BBC online(30oct11)
Scotsman (31oct11)
original Nature paper(30oct11)
October 2011 |
Study reveals how brain may cope when starved of oxygen
Prof Mark Evans (Centre for Integrative Physiology) and colleagues in Dundee and Leeds, have found a mechanism which leads to slowing of neuronal function in response to oxygen depravation. They found that AMPK, the production of which is stimulated by high energy consumption such as would occur during oxygen starvation, results in a slowing of neuronal firing. AMPK stimulating compounds are already used to treat diabetes and could therefore be useful in the treatment of stroke by slowing down brain function.
The Express(20oct11)
The Scotsman (20oct11)
Scientific American (30oct11)
original PNAS paper (17oct11)
October 2011 |
Clinical Research Imaging Centre examines Curvature of the Brain
Professor Neil Roberts (Clinical Research Imaging Centre) has published a paper with colleagues from Cambridge, Oxford and Massachussetts which examines the tiny curvatures found on the cortical folds of the brain. They belive these maybe related tosubtle changes in neurdevlopmental connectivity. This work has been profiled by the Wellcome Trust.
Wellcome Trust article (26oct11)
original International Journal of Neural Systems paper (oct11)
October 2011 |
Make Me A Scientist Science Competition Concludes with Style
The final of the new reality-TV style science competition 'Make Me A Scientist' took place on Wednesday 12th October 2011. Created and developed by Joanna Brooks (Psychology), with Edinburgh Neuroscience as partners, this venture also involved Physics and Chemistry. The final took place at St Margaret's Academy, Livingston as 'The Clones' competed against 'The Pyrotechnics' for the top prize. Taking it's inspiration from 'Who wants to be a millionaire', 'X-Factor' and 'The Cube', this competition aimed to make science fun for pupils, and it certainly succeeded. The Pyrotechnics were finally victorious, by only 1 point, and netted a £500 book voucher prize for St Margaret's Academy a well as a behidn the scenes tour of the Royal Observatory and a range of other prizes.
The Scotsman (13oct11)
October 2011
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September
2011 |
Why Animal Research Needs to Improve 'Nature' Editorial
Dr Malcolm MacLeod (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences) has an opinion piece published in the current issue of Nature, which was tweeted about by Ben Goldacre. The article talks about the need to improve research in animals; how and why this is needed.
article in Nature (28sept11)
September 2011 |
MS Society Award for Prof Charles ffrench-Constant
Congratulations to Professor Charles ffrench-Constant (Centre fro Multiple Sclerosis Research, Centre for Regenerative Medicine) on being awarded 'Best MS Researcher of the Year' by the MS Society. This was for the joint project between Edinburgh and Cambridge with Prof Robin Franklin (they received the award jointly) on Retinoid X Receptor and CNS remyelination.
MS report (27sept11)
original Nature Neuroscience paper (05dec10)
September 2011 |
Stress Hormones may be involved in Memory Loss
Professor Jonathan Seckl (Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences) had his work on drugs that interact with the stress hormone system profiled in the media in a recent article about memory loss
Daily Mail (27sept11)
September 2011 |
New Dementia Research Centre Opened in Edinburgh
The 'Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre' was opened by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on 22nd September, which was World Alzheimer's Day. The Centre will be part of the University of Edinburgh School of Philosophy, Psychology and Languages Sciences and is based in Psychology Building (7 George Square). It has been funded by a six-figure grant from Alzheimer's Scotland.
University of Edinburgh News (22sept11)
CharityNews (23sept11)
September 2011 |
'Patient HM - The Man Behind the Brain' - talk now available online
This wonderful event for the public took place on 28th August and was an addition to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It brought together Prof Richard Morris (Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems), Dr Jacopo Annese (the man who dissected Patient HM's brain in 2009) who joined live from The Brain Observatory in San Diego and the producer of 2401 Objects, a show at the Fringe based on Patient HM.
View talk online
September 2011 |
UK Biobank Role for Dr Cathie Sudlow
Dr Cathie Sudlow (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences) has been appointed as Chief Scientist and Senior Epidemiologist for UK Biobank. This will be a secondment for the next 2-3 years and she will be devoting about 2/3 of her time to UK Biobank. She will, however, continue to be based in Edinburgh and she plans to continue with her current stroke epidemiology, genetics and trials research work
UK Biobank website
September 2011 |
Edinburgh Neuroscience has 3 Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy Members!
Congratulations to Professor Jeremy Hall (Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences), Dr Alan Gow (Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology) and Dr Martyn Pickersgill (Centre for Population Health Sciences) following their election as inaugural members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy.
Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy website
September 2011 |
August
2011 |
Joanna Brooks Collects Public Engagement Award
Ms Joanna Brooks (Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology) collected her Royal Society of Edinburgh Beltane Innovators Award for Public Engagement during a ceremony at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 16th August. Jo was nominated by Psychology and Edinburgh Neuroscience and we are delighted at her success. Jo is currently very busy putting together the new 'Make Me A Scientist' Science Competition Show for schools and science clubs which will take place on 12th October in the George Square Lecture Theatre.
link to RSE press release
Make Me a Scientist website
August 2011 |
Jo is pictured with Prof Aubrey Manning, the winner of the
RSE Beltane Prize for Public Engagement Senior Prize. |
Stem cell study offers hope for Parkinson's patients
Dr Tilo Kunath (MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine) has been in the news over the summer as he has generated stem cells from a rapidly progressing form of Parkinson's Disease, the first time this has been achieved. This advance will help research into the condition as it will enable scientists to model the disease in the laboratory to shed light on why certain nerve cells die. Funded by Parkinson's UK, the study used skin samples from a patient and used these to generate nerve cells affected by the disease.
BBC Online (23aug11)
The Herald (23aug11)
The Scotsman (24aug11)
The Times (24aug11)
Original paper in Nature Communications (23aug11)
August 2011 |
Intelligence tests highlight importance of genetic differences
Prof Ian Deary and colleagues have studied over 3,500 unrelated adults and provided the first direct biological evidence for a genetic contribution to people's intelligence.
The Guardian (09aug11)
Edinburgh Evening News (10aug11)
Original paper in Molecular Psychiatry (09aug11)
August 2011 |
July
2011 |
Learning new things is more difficult
Professor Richard Morris and colleagues (Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems) have published research indicating that it is easier to learn information if it expands on existing knowledge. This countradicts the idea that novelty reinforces learning.
The Scotsman (09july11)
Original paper in Science (07july11)
July 2011 |
MND Research Centre launches text message donations
The Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research has launched a text-to-donate service to enable supporters to donate £5 quickly and easily from wherever they are. All donations go directly to the research teams working to understand the causes of MND and develop better treatments for patients. The system is easy - simply text emc to 70555 to donate £5.
July 2011 |
June
2011 |
Happy Orang-utangs Live Longer
Dr Alex Weiss (Psychology) has published a study that shows that, in zoos, happy orang-utangs live long. Alex adapted well-established human assessment tests and asked keepers and carers to complete a questionnaire about individual animals they knew well; assessing the orangutans' personalities and attitude. By working out a happiness score for each of nearly 200 animals, the team was able to see how happiness influenced the orangutans' lives. Seven years later, when they revisited the study, they could see a clear association between happiness and longevity.
BBC online (29june11)
Original paper in Biology Letters (29june11)
June 2011 |
New Roslin Institute Building Opens
On 29th June 2011, The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh's new purpose-built building was officially opened by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond. A total of 500 scientists will work at The Roslin Institute building which is located on the Easter Bush Research Campus on the outskirts of Edinburgh. With key funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), research in the new building is aimed at improving the health and welfare of livestock animals and the sustainability of the livestock sector. Expertise covers areas such as immunology and infectious disease, clinical sciences, genetics and genomics, developmental biology and diseases affecting the nervous system. Scientists at the institute also place a strong emphasis on comparative medicine where research can be applied to improve both animal and human health. There are many neuroscientists at the Institute, located in the Neuropathogenesis Division, whose Head of Division is Prof Jean Manson, a member of the Edinburgh Neuroscience Board.
Roslin Institute News Release (29june11)
July 2011 |
New Study launched to determine the current incidence of MS in UK
Edinburgh has been chosen to host a new pilot study examining the incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in the UK to determine whether the number of cases is rising. Dr Belinda Weller, consultant neurologist at the Western General Hospital, will be involved in the study commented ""It is thought rates of MS are going up, but we have never had good information about it. That is what we are trying to work on. We have developed a register and are trying to get the required people on it. It is surprising that the numbers haven't been gathered before now".
Edinburgh Evening News (11june11)
The Herald (02june11)
click here to register for the study
June 2011 |
New device to prevent aneurysms
Dr Phil White (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences) and colleagues have found that treating brain aneurysms with specially coated platinum coils can help prevent them coming back. In the latest study, researchers have shown that the effect of coils can be improved by coating them in a sleeve of hydrogel. This gel expands and swells at a controlled rate and fills the aneurysm more securely than previous methods.
The Scotsman (14june11)
June 2011 |
Reel Science: Edinburgh International Film Festival opens
Edinburgh Neuroscience has been working with teh Edinburgh International Film Festival to help out together a series of film screening and events with a neuroscience theme. Reel science runs from 15th - 26th June 2011>
Film Festival Reel Science events
University of Edinburgh news report (07june11)
Variety (15june11)
June 2011 |
Make Me a Scientist! New reality TV style science competition launched
Joanna Brooks (Psychology) and Edinburgh Neuroscience have launched a new reality-TV style science competition for secondary schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Teams of 6 pupils will audition by submitting short films of a demonstration of science in everyday life. Three teams will make it through to the live final on 12th October where they will face a quiz round, perform their demonstration live and face a mystery science challenge. Get your school to register their interest now!
STV online (02june11)
Make Me A Scientist website
June 2011 |
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May
2011 |
Spatial awareness not reliant on just sight
Thomas Wolbers (Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems) has published a study indicating that spatial awareness doesn't rely on sight alone; the same area of the brain (the parahippocampal place area) involved in seeing a room layout can be activated by other senses - such as touch - when feeling a hidden model of a room. Seeing or feeling abstract objects did not affect this region to the same extent. These findings may help develop technologies to help the visually impaired, such as sensors that can measure spaces and convey the information to the brain, through touch such as vibrations.
University of Edinburgh news webpage (26may11)
Original paper in Current Biology (26may11)
May 2011 |
New study examines software that could help stroke victims recover communication skills
Ms Anna Jones (PhD student) and Dr Cyril Pernet,(both SINAPSE and Brain Imaging Research Centre, Western General Hospital) are leading a three year trial looking at the use of a new computer programme, React2 (developed by Propeller Multimedia), which could help to improve communications skills in stroke victims, allowing them to understand speech and regain activity in certain areas of the brain.
STV online (20may11)
The Scotsman (21may11)
May 2011 |
New grant to research learning and memory
Professor Richard Morris, FRS (Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems) has been successful in securing the first European Research Council Advanced Investigator award in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. He will hold this grant, for Euro 3.05 Million, jointly with Professor Dr Guillen Fernandez of the Donders Institute for Neuromaging in Nijmegen, Holland. The aim of the work is to take a radically new step towards analysis of the neuroscience of learning and memory that, for the first time, will incorporate ideas about the role of prior-knowledge and schema
More information
May 2011 |
Student contributes to BBC radio programme
Jo Brooks (Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology) was picked recently to take part in a weekend with the BBC making a radio programme on the use of embryonic stem cells for spinal cord injury along with two presenters, two contributors, and a reporter. Jo said "the experience gave a real insight into how BBC radio programmes are produced from the initial ideas for the show to the development in the studio". Unfortunately, for copyright reasons the radio show is not available online.
May 2011 |
April
2011 |
Princess Royal visits Euan MacDonald Centre for MND research
The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, visited the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, as patron of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, to hear about the latest developments in research. The centre is undertaking groundbreaking research into MND using stem cell technology.
Edinburgh Evening News (19april11)
Scotsman (19april11)
STV online (19april11)
April 2011 |
Sleep study could help adults with Down's syndrome
Colleagues in the Department of Sleep Medicine (based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh) are calling for adults wth Down's Syndrome (and their carers) to take part in a study looking at sleep patterns. Sleep apnoea - pauses in breathing during the night - is more common in people with Down's syndrome, but the exact prevalence among adults with Down's is unknown. The research aims to recruit as many people with Down's syndrome as possible to fill in a questionnaire with some being invited to participate in a clinical trial. Anyone wishing to be involved should contact Lizzie Hill on 0131 242 3879 or lizzie.hill@ed.ac.uk
Edinburgh Evening News (15april11)
April 2011 |
Gene Discovery sheds light on slow nerve repair
Professor Tom Gillingwater and colleagues (Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research) have discovered a gene, APOE4, that slows the recovery of peripheral nerves from damage. People who have this gene are therefore more likely to recover poorly after nerve damage. This discovery could lead to clinicians being better able to provide a patient specific prognosis and treatment and could help in the understanding of nerve degenerating conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
BBC Online (11april11)
The Scotsman (12april11)
Original paper in Human Molecular Genetics (08april11)
April 2011 |
New Research Study to examine links between Alzhiemer's and Vascular Disease
Dr Karen Horsburgh (Centre for Cognitive and Neural Systems) have received funding from Alzheimer's Research UK to investigate how small reductions in blood flow could bring on dementia. It is hoped that the project will not only further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's Disease and vascular disease but could also result in the development of alternative therapeutic strategies.
Edinburgh Evening News (12april11)
April 2011 |
Exam Revision Tips from Psychology!
Professor Sergio Della Sala has been visiting Tynecstle High School in Edinburgh providing the S4 pupils with exam revision tips. His visit and tips were profiled by the BBC and make useful reading for anyone with a teenager going through exams at the moment!
BBC online (07april11)
April 2011 |
Stress Exacerbates Memory Loss
Dr Joyce Yau (Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences) and colleagues have published a study in ageing mice demonstrating that
excess levels of cortisol (as would occur during stress) activate a receptor that results in impaired memory recall. This effect could be reversed by blocking the receptor. This research group is currently developing a compound that inhibits an enzyme, 11beta-HSD1, responsible for helping to produce cortisol in cells.
The Independant (06april11)
Daily Mail (06april11)
Original paper in Journal of Neuroscience (16mar11)
April 2011 |
Royal Society of Edinburgh Beltane Innovators Award for Public Engagement
Congratulations to Joanna Brooks (Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology) on being awarded the 2011 Royal Society of Edinburgh Beltane Innovators Award for Public Engagement. Jo won the Brain section of 'I'm a Scientist get me out of here' last year and her current project is 'Make Me a Scientist,' which will take place in the Autumn of this year.
April 2011 |
New Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows Elected
We are delighted that the following members of the Edinbugrh Neuroscience community have been elected as members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh:
Professor James Ironside (National CJD Surveillance Unit and Director, MRC UK Brain Bank Network
Professor Joanna Wardlaw (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences and Director, Brain Research Imaging Centre)
Professor Seth Grant (Sanger Centre, Cambridge and University of Edinburgh)
April 2011 |
March
2011 |
Neuroscience Day 2011 Poster Competition Winners
Congratulations to the following PhD students who won the poster competition at Neuroscience Day 2011. They will each receive a £50 prize. Their poster abstract are on the meeting website:
Rafael Almeida (Centre for Neuroregeneration)
Axons regulate the extension of oligodendrocyte processes in the zebrafish CNS
Laura Comley (Centre for Integrative Physiology and Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research):
Induction of Cell Stress in Neurons from Transgenic Mice Expressing Yellow Fluorescent Protein: Implications for Neurodegeneration Research
Hui Zhang (Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research, Centre for Regenerative Medicine)
MS in a dish - an ex vivo model of central nervous system remyelination
March 2011 |
New protein provides insight into brain disorders
Professor Peter Brophy (Centre for Neuroregeneration) and Dr Matt Nolan (Centre for Integrative Physiology) have identified a protein (Nfasc186, the neuronal form of neurofascin) crucial for maintaining the health and function of the Node of Ranvier, the part of the nerve fibre that controls transmission of messages within the brain. This finding could help research into neurodegenerative disorders, such as epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis and stroke in which electrical impulses from the brain are disrupted.
BBC online (14mar11)
Daily Mail (14mar11)
Original paper in Neuron (10mar11)
March 2011 |
New technique for creating Motor Neurone Disease Neurones
Prof Siddharthan Chandran (Director, Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research) and colleagues have successfully managed to generate for the first time a range of motor neurones from embryonic stem cells and published a paper in Nature Communications.
The Scotsman (03mar11)
Original paper in Nature Communications (01mar11)
March 2011 |
Exercise after stroke guidelines published
Dr Gillian Mead (Geriatric Medicine) and colleagues have recently published guidelines for the development of exercise after stroke services, and have also developed a course for exercise instructors on stroke, to allow them to deliver exercise to stroke survivors. This is now being rolled out throughout the UK through the company Later Life Training.
click here more information
March 2011 |
February
2011 |
Prof Giles Hardingham is named as 2011 recipient of the International Society for Neurochemistry Young Scientist Lectureship Award
Prof Giles Hardingham (Centre for Integrative Physiology) is named as the 2011 recipient of the ISN Young Scientist Lectureship Awards. This awards are to recognize the research achievements of promising young scientists involved in neurochemical research.
February 2011 |
Study suggests patients with ME may benefit from gradual exercise or cognitive behavioural therapy
Prof Michael Sharpe (Clinical Brain Sciences, Psychological Medicine) and colleagues have published a study looking at different types of treatment for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as ME). They found that cognitive behavioural and graded exercise therapies were more sucessful than adaptive pacing therapy (planning activity to avoid fatigue). This may lead to patients being prescribed more sucessful treatments in the future.
BBC online (18feb11)
Guardian (18feb11)
Independant (18feb11)
Scotsman (18feb11)
Telegraph (18feb11)
Original paper in The Lancet (18feb11)
February 2011 |
Gene discovery that may underlie language learning in infants
Prof Tim Bates (Psychology) has published a study indicating that a gene, ROBO1, may be involved in the storage of speech sounds at the molecular level. Over 5 years his team studied language learning in 538 families and found that one form of the ROBO1 gene was associated with a core component of language learning.
BBC online (09feb11)
Scotsman (10feb11)
February 2011 |
Edinburgh supports British Neuroscience Association response to BBSRC cuts
The British Neuroscience Association recently sent Sir Tom Blundell, chairman of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) a letter signed by leading UK academics, including many from Edinburgh Neuroscience, calling for it to reconsider it plans to cut neuroscience funding. The statement was in response to the new strategy plan which highlighted selective funding cuts for neuroscience research. The effect of this cut is compounded by the recent closure of many drug company research facilties in the UK resulting in almost no industrial neuroscience research remaining in the UK.
The Guardian (10feb11)
February 2011 |
January
2011 |
Call for large scale trials on brain cooling in stroke
Dr Malcolm MacLeod (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences) has been calling for a European-wide trial to test the effectiveness of cooling the brain in helping to prevent death or disability in stroke victims. Already used in cardiac arrest patients and in injuries during birth, preliminary research suggests it might help stroke victims - a large study is now needed to determine its effectiveness as a treatment.
BBC online (24jan11)
STV online (24jan11)
The Scotsman (24jan11)
January 2011 |
Sahara4X sets off - raising money for new research centre
Gus Alusi and 29 friends set off on 18th January on a 3,700 mile trip from London to Timbuktu in cars worth less than £1000 to raise funds for the new Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities at the University of Edinburgh. We wish them all a safe journey. If you would like to support them, you can donate via their website.
Sahara4X website
Evening Standard (19jan11)
January 2011 |
Horizon TV programme on Intelliegence
The BBC4 recently showed a programme about the history of intelligence research which featured the work of Prof Ian Deary (Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology). View it on the iPlayer.
What Makes Us Clever: A Horizon Guide to Intelligence (BBC iPlayer until 19Jan11)
January 2011 |
Brain imaging concerns discussed at Holyrood
Prof Joanna Wardlaw (Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences and SFC Brain Imaging Research Centre) and Prof Burkhard Schafer (School of Law) have been working with Scotlands Futures Forum to raise awareness amongst MSP's of the non-medical and non-research environments that are starting to use brain imaging technology. These new uses may be innaporporiate and, with no regulation, may not be beneficial to the public MSP's are currently considering a Motion at the Scottish Parliament, tabled by Labour MSP Helen Eadie, calling for MSP's to debate the findings of a report resulting from the brain imaging debates that took place throughout 2010. These debates were organised by the Scottish Imaging Network (SINAPSE), Edinburgh Neuroscience, SCRIPT (School of Law) and Scotlands Futures Forum and brought together experts from many different fields.
Scotland on Sunday (02jan11)
Scotland on Sunday additional article (02jan11)
Original 2010 debates and public lecture (2010)
Final Report from the 2010 debates (Dec 2010)
January 2011 |
