Neuroscience PhD

Newcastle University

With this course, you'll explore how the mind, brain and body work together. You can then translate this knowledge into clinical applications for patient benefit.We accept applications for MPhil, MD and PhD in Neuroscience in many research areas. These include:Motor systems development, plasticity and functionWe conduct studies of normal and abnormal development. We also explore the plasticity of the motor system. This involves both clinical and preclinical developments. We run functional studies and computer modelling of motor system activity. We explore this throughout the neuraxis. We research the development and assessment of novel therapies for motor disorders/lesions. This includes stem cell and brain-machine interface.Visual system development, plasticity and repairWe research novel neuro-technological approaches to retinal dystrophy repair. This includes brain-machine interface and stem cells. We use in vitro approaches to look at retinal development and visual system wiring.Neural computation and network systemsWe conduct experimental and theoretical studies. This is to understand how neurones throughout the brain interact. We explore how they act in localised networks to compute complex tasks.Behaviour and evolutionOur research groups take evolutionary and comparative approaches to study brain behaviour. We compare brain function and behaviour. We explore this in:insectsbirdsmammalsWe study the ecological and evolutionary functions of their behaviour. Much of our work is at the forefront of:neuroethologybehavioural ecologycomparative cognitionIt has important implications for the study and practice of animal welfare.Visual perception and human cognitionWe research:colour and depth perception - perception of natural scenespsychophysics and attention - memoryword learning in childrenbody image dysfunctionvisual social cognition and face processingadvertising and consumer behaviour.Auditory neuroscienceWe conduct clinical and preclinical studies. We explore the brain mechanisms involved in the detection, discrimination and perception of sound. We look into how these mechanisms affect individuals with brain disorders. Disorders include dementia, autism and stroke.PainOur research focuses on:understanding mechanisms underlying pain, analgesia, and anaesthesiathe development of methods to assess pain and to reduce pain in animals and humansPsychobiologyWe conduct studies in laboratory animals, healthy volunteers and patient populations. We investigate the mechanisms underlying mood, anxiety and addiction disorders and their treatment. Allied research looks at normal neuropsychology. It explores psychiatric disorders the physiology and pharmacology. Research focuses on neurotransmitter and endocrine systems implicated in psychiatric disorders.NeurotoxicologyWe explore mechanisms of action of established and putative neurotoxins. This includes environmental and endogenous chemicals and naturally occurring toxins.Forensic psychiatry and clinical psychologyOur research covers:the assessment, treatment and management of sex offender riskdevelopment and assessment of cognitive modelscognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment for bipolar disorder, psychosis, anxiety and developmental disordersdevelopmental disorders of perception and cognitionSystems and computational neuroscienceWe conduct theoretical and experimental studies. We aim to understand the following areas of memory:neuroanatomyneuropharmacology of visionvisual attentionepisodicBehaviour and evolution

Newcastle University