The behavioural and clinical neuroscience research group at Sussex University has interests in:
- the application of basic neuroscience and behavioural techniques in rodents to study the neural bases of drug addiction, learning and memory
- the application of human psychopharmacology techniques to explore the detailed effects of drugs on human behaviour and cognition, as well as both preclinical and clinical investigations of the cognitive and other psychological deficits associated with long-term use of drugs such as ecstasy and alcohol
- the neurobiology of motivated behaviours, with specialist interests in the control of ingestion in rodents and humans
- the cognitive neuroscience of human memory and attention, and especially research on changes associated with healthy and unhealthy cognitive ageing, genetic risk factors and deficits associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons
There is a close inter-relationship between animal, human and clinical work in each of these areas, and an emphasis on translational research. On both the human and animal side, the group has long-standing links with clinical health professionals both locally and nationally.
The human work benefits from the developing strength of cognitive neuroscience at the University, including links with the Sackler Centre for Consciousness and the Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, both based on the Sussex Campus.
On the animal side, the Sussex group is one of the strongest groups in any UK university for the behavioural characterisation of transgenic mice, and enjoys collaborative links with molecular neuroscientists in the School of Life Sciences and with the Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
There is a dedicated unit for the laboratory study of rodents, and a human psychopharmacology laboratory, including facilities for the study of eating behaviour, alcohol and drug use, and cognitive enhancing agents. Local facilities include a bedded unit should participants need to stay overnight.
