Patients in the UK who have survived critical illnesses requiring care in an intensive care unit (ICU) frequently report symptoms of anxiety, PTSD and/or depression. Researchers at the University of Oxford investigated psychological disorders in a cohort of 4,943 former ICU patients. They found that 46% of patients reported symptoms of anxiety, 40% symptoms of … Read more
News for Neurological Conditions
Smartphone insomnia treatment rolled out to NHS patients in South East
People across the South East of England are to be given access to a new digital treatment for insomnia as an alternative to sleeping pills. The Sleepio app, a digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based programme that can be accessed via smartphone or the web, is to be made available later this month in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire … Read more
New research on recovery following intensive care treatment
Out-of-hours discharge from intensive care is strongly associated with both in-hospital death and ICU readmission, according to a study supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. The systematic review and meta-analysis by researchers from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Kadoorie Centre, based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, covered … Read more
Study launched to investigate link between sleep problems and Parkinson’s
Researchers in the Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre have launched a new five-year study looking at the links between a condition known as Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD) and Parkinson’s. Supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, the study seeks to improve the remote diagnosis and monitoring of sleep problems at home. Sleep … Read more
Record high for Oxford University Hospitals research studies
The number of medical research studies at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has hit a record high, new figures show. The number of studies active in May 2016 was 1,786, up seven per cent from 1,664 in May 2015. The figures – up 222 per cent from 554 in May 2008 – show … Read more
World first for robot eye operation
Surgeons at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital have performed the world’s first operation inside the eye using a robot. Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology assisted by Dr Thomas Edwards, Nuffield Medical Fellow, used the remotely controlled robot to lift a membrane 100th of a millimetre thick from the retina at the back of the right eye … Read more
Students learn about John Radcliffe brain research
Students pursuing a career in science and medicine visited Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital in an event supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). A total 24 students aged 16 to 32 attended talks and interactive sessions on BRC-supported research by the University of Oxford on August 4. India’s Rehmat Kang, 17, tried on … Read more
High blood pressure linked to vascular dementia
High blood pressure could significantly raise the risk of developing the second most common form of dementia, according to a new study from The George Institute for Global Health. The medical records of more than four million people were analysed with researchers finding heightened blood pressure was associated with a 62 per cent higher risk … Read more
Electrical brain stimulation could support stroke recovery
Applying an electric current to the brain can help recovery from stroke, Oxford University researchers at the John Radcliffe Hospital have found. A team from Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, led by Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg and Dr Charlotte Stagg, studied the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to support rehabilitation training. The technique … Read more
Blind woman’s joy as she reads the time thanks to “bionic eye”
A patient who is the first in the UK to receive the world’s most advanced “bionic eye” has been able to read the time for the first time in more than five years. The moment Rhian Lewis, 49, realised she had correctly told the time is captured on BBC’s “Trust Me I’m A Doctor”, to … Read more
Oxford Brain Tumour Open Day 2015
On 11 November 2015, there was an open day at the John Radcliffe Hospital for brain tumour patients and carers. The aim was to show what clinical researchers in Oxford are doing to improve diagnosis and care. The event was organised in partnership between the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Cancer Research UK … Read more
Visitors learn about brain research
Visitors to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital learned how blood flows to and around the brain during a tour of medical facilities. The Friday, September 11 tours were part of the Oxford Open Doors programme of events, where city institutions opened to the public. Friday’s two free tours – which were fully booked – was hosted … Read more
Sleep deprivation could reduce intrusive memories of trauma
A good night’s sleep has long been recommended to those who have experienced a traumatic event but an Oxford University-led study provides preliminary experimental work suggesting it could actually be the wrong thing to do. Sleep deprivation might prevent people from consolidating memories of experimental trauma, reducing their tendency to experience flashbacks, according to a … Read more
John Radcliffe visitors see the brain in action
VISITORS and pupils learned how staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital study the brain as part of a series of public events about medical research in Oxfordshire. More than 100 people enjoyed a tour of the Oxford University Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB) on Monday March 16. They visited the control room … Read more
Bionic eyes give us a look into future of medical technology
BIONIC eyes, lung imaging and pregnancy apps were part of an exhibition revealing life-changing research taking place in Oxford. Members of the public had a rare opportunity to meet surgeons, nurses and clinical researchers who are building the next generation of clinical techniques to revolutionise medicine.The Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, based at the Churchill Hospital, … Read more
Personalised brain stimulation could improve life for Parkinson’s sufferers
Researchers in Oxford have made a landmark breakthrough towards improving the treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease. The Oxford University team based at the John Radcliffe Hospital has successfully trialled an advanced deep brain stimulation system that actively detects and responds to a patient’s brainwaves to reduce symptoms. This personalised system, using a brain-computer interface, proved … Read more
Discover the a to zzzs of the brain
To celebrate Brain Awareness Week (March 11 to 15), researchers from the Oxford Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute are hosting a series of activities, displays, talks on the subject of Sleep and the Brain. A crack team of neuroscientists will take over the Museum of the History of Science’s Basement Gallery on Tuesday March 12, … Read more
Amputee phantom pain linked to brain retaining picture of missing limb
Changes in the brain following amputation have been linked to pain arising from the missing limb, called ‘phantom pain’, in a study supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. Arm amputees experiencing the most phantom limb pain were found to maintain stronger representation of the missing hand in the brain – to the point … Read more
New hope for those with Parkinson’s tremors
A NEW brain stimulation therapy could help supress tremors in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to new research. The non-invasive technique has been pioneered by researchers supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, a collaboration between Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and Oxford University to accelerate healthcare innovation. The … Read more
Cannabis pain relief is variable
The pain relief offered by cannabis varies greatly between individuals, a brain imaging study supported by Oxford Biomedical Research Centre suggests. The researchers found that an oral tablet of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, tended to make the experience of pain more bearable, rather than actually reduce the intensity of the pain. MRI brain … Read more