Quality of Research
Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology
School of Medicine
Research Assessment Exercise (2008)
| Unit of Assessment | Staff submitted (FTE) | By percentage, research activity in the submission judged to reach quality standard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology (B9) | 21.30 | 4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
UC |
| 20% | 60% | 15% | 5% | 0% | ||
(Overall quality profile in blocks of 5%)
Research Profile: Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology
| Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology | ||
|---|---|---|
| Institution | Average of % Research 4* and 3* | |
| Cardiff University | 80% | |
| University of Cambridge | 80% | |
| University College London | 70% | |
| University of Edinburgh | 65% | |
| Imperial College London | 60% | |
| University of Oxford | 60% | |
| University of Bristol | 60% | |
| King's College London | 55% | |
| University of Manchester | 50% | |
| University of Newcastle upon Tyne | 40% | |
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Cardiff’s world-leading research in this area has recently been recognised by the award of a Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre in Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics to open in March 2009. This will build upon the Cardiff group’s expertise in applying genetics and genomics to understanding the causes of major psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and to developing new approaches to classification and treatment of these common disorders which are major causes of disability and suffering.
Recent notable research successes post-dating RAE 2008 include the identification of genetic factors involved in risk of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. These findings resulted in landmark publications in the journals Nature and Nature Genetics (2) and have major implications for the way we think about these diseases.
The group is also conducting major new studies in mood disorders. For example a large study is being performed which aims to understand the joint role of both genes and environmental factors in causing illness. Another study, funded through the highly competitive and prestigious Sir Jules Thorn Award for Biomedical Research, is investigating the increasing rates of childhood depression.
Research into Alzheimer’s and Huntington's Disease aims to discover what happens when the links in our brains cease to work as they should.
The Medical Research Council Centre studies disorders across the lifespan. We have made major contributions to understanding the childhood disorder ADHD, severe mental illness in women after childbirth, and are conducting the largest genetic study of Alzheimer’s disease in the world, involving over 60,000 people. In addition, we are investigating the causes and new treatments for other degenerative disorders, including Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
As well as expertise in discovery genetics the group, through new strategic appointments, has developed further capacity in translational research including brain imaging, animal models, cell biology and population studies.
The group offers strong support to its postgraduate students, particularly through the use of overhead revenues to support postgraduate researchers. Studentships are funded by the School’s doctoral training grant. In addition this group participates in the Wellcome Trust 4 year programme in Integrative Neuroscience, and is establishing a new 4 year programme as part of the Medical Research Centre.