Close
LonDownS PhD student Ros Hithersay wins £48k grant
By rejutal, on 7 September 2015
A team of researchers from the Division of Psychiatry have been awarded £48,000 from the Baily Thomas Charitable Fund to investigate the feasibility of using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to identify differences in cortical activity that may relate to differences in cognitive abilities and predict later cognitive decline, in adults with Down syndrome. Rosalyn Hithersay will develop and conduct the study as part of her PhD. She is supervised by Dr Andre Strydom and Dr Carla Startin, with support from Professor Clare Elwell’s team in UCL’s Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering. This work will further develop the ongoing research into individual differences in Down syndrome that is currently being conducted by the London Down Syndrome Consortium (LonDownS). You can hear more about LonDownS through their study websitehttps://www.ucl.ac.uk/london-down-syndrome-consortium or twitter feed @LonDownS.
The dementia epidemic: is it really stabilising?
By Jake Fairnie, on 25 August 2015
UCL Psychiatry’s Dr Naaheed Mukadam recently wrote an article for The Independent that analyses a recent study suggesting that dementia levels may be stabilising. Read it here.
Congratulations Prof Helen Killaspy
By Jake Fairnie, on 8 August 2015
Congratulations to Professor Helen Killaspy who has been awarded an Honorary Professorship by the Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland.
LonDownS Consortium on the mechanisms of Alzheimer disease
By rejutal, on 5 August 2015
LonDownS have just published a large review in Nature Reviews Neuroscience about what Down syndrome can tell us about the mechanisms of Alzheimer disease
Down syndrome, which arises in individuals carrying an extra copy of chromosome 21, is associated with a greatly increased risk of early-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). It is thought that this risk is mainly conferred by the presence of three copies of the gene encoding amyloid precursor protein (APP) — an AD risk factor — although the possession of extra copies of other chromosome 21 genes may also play a part. Interestingly, everyone with Down syndrome has the classic neuropathology of dementia but not will develop dementia. This dissociation is extremely interesting and we suggest that detailed study of people with Down syndrome could provide mechanistic insights into AD both in this population and in the general population.
Read the full text of our review:
http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/vaop/ncurrent/pdf/nrn3983.pdf
Prof Helen Killaspy publishes new book “Enabling Recovery”
By Jake Fairnie, on 8 July 2015
Professor Helen Killaspy from the Division of Psychiatry has just published a new edition of her Rehab Psychiatry textbook called – “Enabling Recovery”.
How can people with severe mental health problems be supported in their personal recovery? This question lies at the heart of rehabilitation psychiatry, and perhaps of mental healthcare as a whole. This brand new edition of one of RCPsych Publications’ bestselling titles aims to answer that question:
‘Enabling Recovery: The Principles and Practice of Rehabilitation Psychiatry (2nd edn)’ – edited by Frank Holloway, Sridevi Kalidindi, Helen Killaspy and Glenn Roberts
Open Day for the MScs in Mental Health Sciences, UCL Division of Psychiatry
By rejusjo, on 7 July 2015
The UCL Division of Psychiatry is holding an Open Afternoon on 15th July 2015 from 1pm until 5pm for offer holders on the MSc in Clinical Mental Health Sciences Research and Mental Health Sciences Research. We also welcome people who are still in the application process and would like to hear some detailed presentations about the course content, and people who are thinking seriously about applying. Lunch is from 1pm to 2pm, and there will then be presentations from the course team and module leads on the course content and structure and on student experiences at UCL.
To register to attend, please contact our course administrator Chris Coup – c.coup@ucl.ac.uk
Further information:
The UCL MSc in Mental Health Sciences Research
The UCL MSc in Clinical Mental Health Sciences
Why do a research-based MSc as a trainee psychiatrist?
By rejusjo, on 23 June 2015
Dr Farhana Mann, Clinical Training Fellow, Division of Psychiatry, UCL makes the case for undertaking a research-based MSc alongside training in psychiatry.
I recently joined UCL (though one could argue I never really left…) in the Division of Psychiatry as a Clinical Training Fellow. I studied Medicine at UCL, undertook a BSc in Immunology here and am also an ST6 in General Adult Psychiatry on the UCL psychiatry training scheme (what can I say, it’s a great part of town…). My current role means I have the privilege of spending 50% of my working week focused on developing as a junior academic. I share a shiny new office with some of the brightest and most enthusiastic trainees in psychiatry, at various stages of their academic careers. But over the years I have met equally talented trainees with a leaning towards research, who for some reason or other have found it difficult to take that interest further. One of the things that helped me, and others who have chosen academic training, was completing the MSc in Psychiatric Research at UCL (now the MSc in Mental Health Sciences Research).
MY EXPERIENCE
I did the MSc as a core trainee, alongside MRCPsych exams and full-time clinical work. Despite the challenge of managing to get things done in time, I graduated with distinction and published two papers as first author. I would encourage other trainees not to be intimidated by the prospect of taking on a project alongside busy jobs – it is definitely worth it! A vital outcome was developing links with ‘real life’ clinical academics doing work that was genuinely of interest to me, and without the MSc I probably would have assumed I didn’t have it in me.
I asked some of my colleagues, MSc students and alumni, to share some of their experiences on the MSc:
ANDREW SOMMERLAD, Clinical Training Fellow UCL & ST5 Old Age Psychiatry, interested in social networks and cognitive decline
Dr Sommerlad is in his second year of the course (2015) and has found it an ‘ideal introduction’ to research methodology. He added: ‘the wide-ranging strengths of UCL in dementia research particularly appealed as I had the opportunity to be involved in basic science, genetic, epidemiological, psychosocial and pharmacological research. I had long been interested in undertaking research during my psychiatry training but found it impossible to get projects started due to the hurdles of navigating through ethical and R&D approval, organising data collection and manipulating statistical programs…’
ANDRE STRYDOM, Reader at UCL Division of Psychiatry, Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disabilities (LD)
His research concerns the epidemiology, etiology and clinical aspects of mental disorders in adults with neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disabilities, Autism & Asperger syndrome, and ADHD
Dr Strydom undertook the MSc as a trainee, and spoke about the course giving him direct access to ‘cutting edge’ research in LD, and his original work led on to further research avenues once he graduated. He was able to gain grounding in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and students on the course benefit from UCL’s vast information resources. Dr Strydom would encourage trainees to apply at any stage of training, but pointed out higher trainees are often well-placed to manage the commitment through use of special interest time for example.
LAURA ALLISON, Medical psychotherapist
Dr Allison finished the MSc in 2011 and published her work on the use of rapid tranquilisation in the context of the development of antipsychotics in the journal History of Psychiatry. She now has an academic assistant editor role with another journal, and said: ‘I use the skills I learned directly and indirectly in my everyday work as a psychotherapy tutor.’
AFIA ALI Senior Clinical Lecturer UCL Division of Psychiatry, Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist in Intellectual Disabilities
Her research interests include exploring the impact of stigma and discrimination on the wellbeing of people with intellectual disability
Dr Ali believes undertaking the MSc as a trainee was ‘instrumental’ in furthering her career, and graduating with distinction and publishing her research helped her application for PhD Fellowships. She highlighted the fact many doctors (mistakenly) believe the only path to academic psychiatry is through being an academic clinical fellow as though it were essentially an all or nothing phenomenon. The MSc is a great way to conduct independent research without necessarily being in full academic training, but with an increased likelihood of getting into academia if one chooses to afterwards.
BERNICE KNIGHT, current MSc student and higher trainee in Psychiatry
Dr Knight is in her first year, and pointed out the new course gives students the opportunity to apply for scholarships for help with funding. She obtained a scholarship from Noclor and said: ‘The lecture timetable has fitted around my clinical commitments and although the assignments are challenging, they have all supported my learning. My experiences through the MSc have confirmed my ambitions to seek a PhD project but more importantly have aided my development as an evidence-based clinician. I would recommend it to doctors looking to further their expertise in research and/or to help them decide about whether an academic career is something they wish to pursue.’
STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY
In summary, it’s a competitive process getting into research, but there is a very significant unmet need for more mental health research and more mental health researchers . A recent Academy of Medical Sciences report highlighted the need to increase recruitment into academic psychiatry and strengthen the field. So, if you are thinking about it, now’s a good time to go for it!
Open afternoon for UCL MSc Mental Health Sciences MSc 15 July
Dr Farhana Mann is a Clinical Training Fellow in the Division of Psychiatry at UCL. She has published research looking at outcomes in women and ethnic minorities with psychosis, and is also particularly interested in the area of loneliness and the impact this has on the development and progress of mental health problems.
The UCL MSc in Mental Health Sciences Research provides a highly practical training in research skills and opportunities to participate in the work of research groups at the cutting edge. A range of optional modules provide opportunities to focus on particular sub-specialties, or on epidemiological and clinical or neuroscientific approaches. Both full- time and part-time or flexible/modular approaches are available, the latter being appropriate for current trainee psychiatrists.
MSc Scholarships for North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) staff
By rejusjo, on 19 June 2015
We are delighted to announce that North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) can offer up to 3 scholarships of up to £2000 each year to students on the MSc Mental Health Sciences Research who are clinicians at NELFT during the academic year of the MSc. Promise as a researcher is the main criterion for award. The scholarships are for the September 2015 intake to the course.
Applications can be made to Fiona Horton at NELFT Research & Development Department with an application letter, curriculum vitae, copy of acceptance letter for the MSc. fiona.horton@nelft.nhs.uk.
The UCL MSc in Mental Health Sciences Research
North East London Foundation Trust
Big Tramp 2015
By Jake Fairnie, on 16 June 2015
Midnight, Saturday 20th June. From E1 to SE11
Together we can STAMP OUT homelessness
Starting at midnight, we’ll walk from dawn until dusk on Summer Solstice, mapping the history of homelessness, discovering London’s hidden secrets and watching immersive performances by Cardboard Citizens talented members along the way.
Cardboard Citizens is an award-winning charity that helps homeless and at-risk people change their lives through theatre and the performing arts.
What’s the cost? Entry fee is £39 (£30 for concessions), which includes the guided walk and performances, a tote bag, snacks and drinks, breakfast, and a ticket to an exclusive showing of a Chaplin short film at the Kennington Cinema Museum.
As an exclusive opportunity we are wavering the required fundraising fee (previously at £250) for our Training alumni. As a friend and advocate of Cardboard Citizens, we would love to see you involved in this event, which we know from last year is going to be a magical and unique experience.
Start time & location: 11pm Saturday 20th June at Cardboard Citizens, 77A Greenfield Road, London, E1 1EJ
End time & location: 7am Sunday 21st June at The Cinema Museum, Kennington, SE11 4TH
For more information and to register click here, or contact Molly on 020 7377 8948 or molly@cardboardcitizens.org.uk
Christian group reports psychiatrists to GMC for saying homosexuality isn’t a choice
By Elvira Bramon, on 15 April 2015
A Christian group has reported the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the General Medical Council – for saying homosexuality isn’t an illness. The group also named three psychiatrists in its complaint: Professor Sue Bailey, former college president, college registrar Dr Laurence Mynors-Wallis and Professor Michael King, who previously chaired the college’s LGBT special interest group.
Read the full article from the Independent