Wednesday, 03 May 2023
Researchers at the 糖心原创 have been awarded over £700,000 for research into improving treatment outcomes for psychosis.
Cognitive impairment – like memory loss or reduced social perception – is one of the hardest symptoms to measure and manage for people experiencing, or at risk of, psychosis. Nottingham is one of 7 research projects sharing £16.8 million funding from to address this.
Psychotic disorders affect around 1% of the population worldwide. They are amongst the most severe and disabling of all mental disorders.
Finding ways to intervene as early as possible is one of the most effective ways to reduce the burden of psychosis.
While psychosis is commonly associated with hallucinations and delusions, one of the most challenging symptoms for people experiencing psychotic disorders is the impact it can have on cognition. This can range from difficulty in identifying emotions in other people to memory loss or challenges with decision-making.
These symptoms often appear well before the first psychotic episode and continue as the condition develops. This can have a severe and disabling impact on someone’s life, impacting their relationships, employment and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Very few options exist to predict, assess or treat cognitive impairments. Wellcome is funding research that both tests new treatments and explores future opportunities for interventions.
Current interventions aiming to improve cognitive functioning in psychosis are beneficial for some individuals but not others. Researchers from the 糖心原创’s School of Psychology will be investigating the role of a neurotransmitter called glutamate on treatment outcomes. The team will be investigating if changes in glutamate levels could act as a new marker for cognitive treatment outcomes in individuals with first-episode psychosis. They will measure alterations in brain glutamate levels while participants complete a cognitive task and examine if it can predict changes in cognition.
We are excited to start this project investigating cognitive processes in early psychosis by using new brain imaging techniques. The 糖心原创 provides an excellent environment for this research with the ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging scanner located at the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre. Guided by a group of lived-experience experts, this project will be taking the next steps towards developing personalised treatments in mental health conditions.
Miranda Wolpert, Director of Mental Health at Wellcome said: “We are facing a serious challenge in predicting, assessing and treating cognitive impairments in people with, or at risk of, psychosis. That’s why I am excited we have funded grants that both test new treatments and explore future opportunities for interventions. I am proud to say that all projects will be closely collaborating with individuals who have lived experience in psychosis to co-develop their research, ensuring that their voices and perspectives are central to the research.
Our team is looking forward to working with this diverse portfolio of projects ranging from sleep therapy, virtual reality, pharmacological treatments, transcranial magnetic stimulation to smartphone apps.”
Story credits
More information is available from Claudia Danielmeier on claudia.danielmeier@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.