Newcastle University

Ageing, Neurodegeneration and Developmental Neuroscience

Newcastle has a long history of research into brain ageing and particularly the neurodegenerative disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer type dementia and dementia with Lewy body. This is based around well characterised patient populations and an extensive brain tissue resource.

We also research a number of other neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis and pathologies arising from mitochondrial and/or nuclear gene mutations. At the other end of the life cycle, studies of neurogenesis include unique work on human brain development and studies of the  neuroplasticity that underlies patterns behaviour and responses to hormones and drugs, while stem cells are used both to understand basic neuronal mechanisms and to develop novel methods for tissue repair.

Understanding these processes of development and plasticity feeds into our interests in neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autistic spectrum disorder and William's syndrome, and the adaptive response following cerebral palsy or severe trauma. Finally, psychological development in these conditions and in the typically developing child is an important aspect of our broad programme of work in cognitive neuroscience. 

Many aspects of this research are conducted in conjunction with the Institute for Ageing and Health, the Institute of Genetic Medicine, NESCI and Institute for Health and Society.

This research theme can be sub-divided into sub-themes which provide the focus for more specific research expertise:

• Brain Ageing
• Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder and William's Syndrome
• Neurogenesis and Stem Cells

Staff List