Mental Health of Older People

The Division of Psychiatry is an international leader in dementia research, and we have major grant funding from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, NIHR, local trusts and industry.

The Mental Health of Older People research department at UCL focuses on improving the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions in later life. This department is internationally recognised for its research into mental health in older adults, particularly dementia. It combines clinical, epidemiological, and translational research to develop effective interventions and improve care for ageing populations.

Key Areas of Focus

• Dementia Research: Leading studies on the causes, progression, and treatment of dementia, supported by major funding bodies like the MRC, NIHR, and Wellcome Trust.
• Psychopharmacology and Clinical Trials: Developing and testing new treatments for psychiatric conditions in older adults, including drug repurposing and novel therapeutics.
• Mental Health Services and Policy: Investigating how mental health services can be improved for older people, including work on prevention, early intervention, and reducing health inequalities.

Find out more about our research themes.