Neuroimaging

The majority of research carried out by the Section of Neuroimaging seeks to understand the neurocognitive basis of both psychosis and psychotic symptoms – hallucinations and delusional beliefs, for example. Almost all projects involve neuroimaging to find out more about brain mechanisms and are carried out in collaboration with other research teams specialising in genetics or social psychiatry. These complementary investigations enable a fuller picture to be painted of the causes of psychosis and its symptoms, working towards more accurate diagnoses and a logical basis for developing new treatments.

Different neuroimaging techniques are used, but most studies involve MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans. MRI work is carried out at the Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, jointly run by the IoP and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. PET scans are carried out at the Hammersmith Hospital in west London, working in collaboration with the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London.

The research team works with healthy individuals, people with psychosis and people at risk of developing psychosis, and is always keen to hear from volunteers who would be willing to have a brain scan. (See Volunteer to have a brain scan page). Section researchers are particularly keen to hear from people willing to take part in research studies who have subtle, early symptoms of psychosis.

The Section has set up and continues to run two specialist clinics within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM): the Voices Clinic and OASIS (Outreach and Support in South London).

The Voices Clinic offers treatment to people experiencing auditory hallucinations: this treatment has been informed by the Section’s research. OASIS is for young people, aged 14 to 35 who are experiencing symptoms that may be the first signs of psychosis.

All the researchers within the Section undertake clinical work within these services. The Section is also affiliated to LEO, Lambeth Early Onset Service, another SLaM service for young people having their first episode of psychosis .

There are 30-40 individual projects within the Section at any one time: the research is funded mainly by the Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust.

Regular collaborators within the Division of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry are the Section of Neuropsychiatric Genetics and the Section of General Psychiatry. The Neuroimaging team also collaborates with research teams in the Department of Psychology.

The head of the Section of Neuroimaging is Philip McGuire, a Professor of Psychiatry and Cognitive Neuroscience, who is also clinical director of both OASIS and the Voices Clinic.

Professor McGuire is the chair of the Association of European Psychiatrists Neuroimaging Section, a network of imaging centres across Europe, which engages in collaborative working and shares knowledge and information.

Section of Neuroimaging
Division of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, PO67
Institute of Psychiatry
De Crespigny Park
London SE5 8AF

Contact: Sandra Whitehead
Email: Sandra.Whitehead@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Phone: 020 7848 0355
Fax: 020 7848 0976