University of Oxford researchers have been awarded a grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to investigate whether anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy can reduce or prevent delirium following surgical operations. Post-operative delirium is an important problem, recognised as the most common surgical complication in older adults, occurring after many types … Read more
News for Neurological Conditions
Moderate drinking linked to brain changes and cognitive decline
Consumption of seven or more units of alcohol per week is associated with higher levels of iron in the brain, according to a study by Oxford researchers. Accumulation of iron in the brain has been linked with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and is a potential mechanism for alcohol-related cognitive decline. The study, which involved researchers … Read more
Lymph nodes reveal more about mechanisms of autoimmunity
Two recent papers by Oxford researchers have shown that studying lymph nodes reveals details of the mechanisms of autoimmunity. Autoimmunity affects up to 10 per cent of people and includes conditions such as types of diabetes and thyroid diseases. More recently, a group of conditions has been identified in which the central nervous system is … Read more
Conference aims to forge collaborations to tackle dementia
Representatives of academia, the NHS, the non-profit sector and the healthcare industry have attended a conference in Oxford to explore how to tackle the current challenges in dementia research through improved collaboration. The aim of the 21st Century Translation Dementia Research conference, organised by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Dementia Research Oxford … Read more
Study finds no increased risk of rare neurological events after COVID vaccination
A study of more than eight million people has found no increased risk of rare neurological events after COVID -19 vaccination. However, the researchers did find a higher risk of Bell’s palsy (facial weakness), encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (a nerve condition) after COVID-19 infection. The study, which was … Read more
First UK pilot study of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy launched
University of Oxford researchers have launched a pilot study to conduct routine testing of newborn babies for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) for the first time. Every five days a baby is born in the UK with SMA. If treatments are delivered at birth, these newborns have the best chance of living long and healthy lives. … Read more
Brain regions related to smell show decline after mild COVID-19
University of Oxford researchers have found tissue damage and greater shrinkage in brain areas related to smell in people following mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. The researchers, who were supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) used data from UK Biobank participants to look at changes to the brain on average four and a half … Read more
New Senior Research Fellows named
The NIHR Oxford BRC has announced the appointment of its latest group of Senior Research Fellows – the third cohort of emerging research leaders to receive the accolade. Like in 2020, this year’s selection process was a coordinated effort by the Oxford BRC and its partners in the NIHR Oxford Health BRC, which focuses on mental health … Read more
Having a healthier heart associated with better problem-solving and reaction time
People with healthier heart structure and function appear to have better cognitive abilities, including increased capacity to solve logic problems and faster reaction times, according to a study involving University of Oxford and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) researchers. The study, which included researchers supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, was published … Read more
Oxford BRC researchers named among new Academy of Medical Sciences fellows
A number of leading researchers supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre are among 50 prominent biomedical and health scientists elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ respected and influential Fellowship. The new Fellows include Oxford BRC experts who have spearheaded the COVID-19 response, such as Professor Sarah Gilbert, who led the team developing … Read more
Eight BRC projects get RCF funding
Eight Oxford BRC proposals, many covering a number of themes, have been awarded NIHR Research Capability Funding (RCF) funding to take forward key areas of research. The selected projects that will be supported include: Developing a research centre devoted to urgent and acute care The creation of a state-of-the-art imaging centre; and of a new … Read more
Study explores effects of COVID-19 on sleep
Oxford researchers have launched a study investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep and daily rhythms in adults. The UK arm of the International COVID-19 Sleep Study (ICOSS) is led by Professor Colin Espie from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford and is funded by the NIHR Oxford … Read more
Social disconnection worsens mental health after a loss
Keeping grief hidden can be a survival strategy after suffering a bereavement. However new research shows that the social disconnection caused by concealing feelings of loss can increase psychological distress. After bereavement people can feel afraid of opening up about their grief to others. Fear of becoming overwhelmed by feelings in front of friends and … Read more
Researchers identify a new blood-based test to help predict Parkinson’s disease
Research carried out in Oxford has led to the development of a new way to test for Parkinson’s disease before the main symptoms occur. This could allow clinicians to identify patients who would benefit from precision therapies that are currently at clinical trial stage. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting 10 … Read more
Seven new Senior Fellows named
The Oxford BRC is delighted to announce the appointment of seven new Senior Research Fellows, the second cohort of emerging research leaders to receive the accolade. The selection process was a coordinated effort by the Oxford BRC and its partners in the NIHR Oxford Health BRC, which focuses on mental health and dementia, and the … Read more
New stroke research centre opens in Oxford
Research into strokes and vascular dementia took a major step forward on Thursday (5th March) with the official opening of the Wolfson Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia (CPSD) in Oxford, based at the new Wolfson Building at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The new centre is the only purpose-built clinical research centre looking … Read more
Severe reactions to grief can be predicted and treated in the first months following a bereavement
Memory, coping strategies and resilience immediately following a loss have been shown to predict the path of a bereaved person’s grief according to new research. The study, published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, also suggested that clinical intervention in the first months following a loss may help individuals to better adapt to their … Read more
International students learn about Oxford’s neuroscience and diabetes research
Around 50 international students interested in a career in medicine or science have visited Oxford BRC-funded research facilities. Half the students, who are taking part in the London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF), visited the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Neuroscience department, while the rest spent the day at the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism … Read more
Smartphone test predicts how symptoms develop in Parkinson’s
Researchers in Oxford have found that a simple test carried out on a smartphone can help to accurately predict future change in people in the early stages of Parkinson’s, helping to determine the support they may need. This study, supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and funded by the Monument Trust Discovery … Read more
NIHR Oxford BRC Senior Research Fellows named
The Oxford BRC is delighted to announce the appointment of seven new Senior Research Fellows. They were chosen from an extremely strong field of 47 applicants from across the scientific and clinical community because they demonstrated that their research was high impact and of high quality . They were also able to demonstrate leadership, independence … Read more