Brain Imaging in Psychiatry

Our brain imaging research aims to link neuroimaging data with underlying biology to better understand psychiatric illness.

Our research focusses on linking neuroimaging data with genetic and environmental risk factors and clinical phenotypes, across and between disorders, to provide a more integrated and mechanistic understanding of mental illness.

We have particular interests in adolescent mental health, links between physical and mental health, the use of AI approaches in psychiatric/neuroimaging research, and integrating neuroimaging data with linked healthcare data. We also have a focus on reproducible science and on the use of open research practices.

Within the University, we work closely with the Edinburgh Imaging facilities and the Usher Institute Clinical Natural Language Processing Research Group.

We work closely with data and organisations locally and internationally such as the Scottish Medical Imaging Service, the electronic Data Research and Innovation Service (eDRIS), UK Biobank, Generation Scotland, Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study, Human Connectome Project and consortia including the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics Through Meta Analysis) and ECNP (European College of Neuropsychopharmacology) networks.

Example projects

Project title Funder  Investigators
STRADL (Stratifying Resilience and Depression Longitudinally)Wellcome          Andrew McIntosh, Heather Whalley
The bipolar family study Andrew McIntosh, Heather Whalley
Gene and brain mapping of language BBSRC       Michelle Luciano (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences), Heather Whalley
Mental Health Data Pathfinder   MRC              Andrew McIntosh, Heather Whalley
fMRI study of neuropathic pain and major depressive disorderMarie Curie Cancer CareMarie Fallon (Institute of Genetics and Cancer), Heather Whalley
Pilot trial of the ketogenic diet for bipolar disorderBazucki Brain TrustHarry Campbell (Centre for Population Health Sciences), Daniel Smith, Iain Campbell