Media coverage

Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience) reveals why ‘snitching’ is a common human trait. “You’re defining yourself as the good person if you’re doing the behaviour that is correct, and they’re doing something wrong,” she explained.

Professor Joanna Moncrieff (UCL Psychiatry) writes a critique of a new review of antidepressant withdrawal symptoms.

Following the dementia diagnosis of broadcaster Fiona Phillips, her husband, Martin Frizell (former editor of ITV’s This Morning) highlights the transformative research that Dr Catherine Mummery (UCL Dementia Research Centre) could do with more funding. 

“Clearly there are many reasons for becoming depressed or anxious in later life. But in some cases, it could be related to brain changes occurring in the run-up to dementia,” said Professor Jonathan Schott (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology).

Dr Amanda Heslegrave (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology), the principal researcher on several papers finding protein warning signs for Alzheimer’s, said the research highlighted the importance of using large datasets when investigating neurodegenerative diseases.

A study last month led by Dr Nadine Dijkstra (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) identifies the brain signal that allows humans to differentiate between images perceived as part of reality and those generated as a result of the imagination.

“It is my opinion that those surveys have overestimated the findings,” said Dr Gemma Lewis (UCL Psychiatry) on prior studies on antidepressant withdrawal that tended to attract participants who experienced more significant withdrawal symptoms.

"While this is interesting, one has to worry that these types of findings are artefactual,” said Professor John Hardy (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) about recent research finding a link between a common pain medication and dementia.

When people watch a live contemporary dance performance, their brainwaves sync up, signalling shared focus and attention, according to a new study by Dr Guido Orgs and Dr Laura Rai (both UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience).

The largest review of ‘gold standard’ antidepressant withdrawal studies identified the type and incidence of symptoms experienced by people discontinuing antidepressants and found most do not experience severe withdrawal, finds study involving Dr Gemma Lewis (UCL Psychiatry).

The key to sticking to and reaping the rewards of exercise over the long term may be as simple as doing something you enjoy, say Dr Flaminia Ronca (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science) and Professor Paul Burgess (UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience).

“Whatever the Send system’s problems, the answer is not to remove the rights of children and young people,” write Professors Angela Hassiotis (UCL Psychiatry) and Liz Pellicano (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) in a letter to defending school education, health and care plans.

“How we experience and express our emotions is influenced by our biology and by how we’ve grown up,” said Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience) on some of the emotions that crying can convey.

“The real gift of this technology is not to computer science — at the moment. Rather, it is an enabling technology that allows scientists to perform experiments on a little brain,” said Professor Karl Friston (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) on a new biological computer.

Professor Jonathan Schott (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) has revealed six straightforward strategies to enhance your cognitive function this summer.