Brain Health and Mental Wellbeing Division

We design and conduct trials and other high-quality research to promote evidence-informed interventions for brain health and mental wellbeing across the lifespan.

Research expertise

Our interdisciplinary expertise is applied across four key areas:

neurodegeneration
neurodevelopment
mental health
rehabilitation and health ageing

Areas of specific interest include:

intellectual disability and autism
neurodegenerative movement disorders
neuroinflammation and degeneration
promotion of mental health and treatment of mental health problems
research in defined populations including rare diseases and those lacking capacity
Interventions to support treatment and recovery from brain tumours

Strategic focus and methods

Our research spans the inception of new interventions and treatments through to their implementation. This incorporates intervention development alongside the evaluation of complex interventions, drugs, devices, and surgical interventions. This can range from early (feasibility) to later phase (effectiveness) trials. We incorporate mixed methods (including qualitative and process evaluations) to better understand factors influencing outcomes.

We have a focus on efficient trial design principles across our portfolio. This includes the incorporation of ‘Studies within Trials’ to better understand efficiencies in trial processes and using linked, routinely collected data. We contribute to environmental sustainability through increased adoption of paperless and remote methods where appropriate and feasible - for communication, data collection, intervention delivery and monitoring.

Our r engagement extends from public and patient involvement in research meeting UK standards for public involvement to active consultation with industry and policy makers where relevant. We are building on our existing experience to embed co-design into our research activities and alongside monitoring emerging impact.

Capacity building

We are open to supervisory and mentoring support for doctoral studies, intercalating students and fellowships.

Partnership and collaboration

Watch a video about the Brain Health and Mental Wellbeing Division

We work closely with a range of collaborators across the UK and beyond, including HEI, NHS, industry, third sector and social care partners. We also regularly work in partnerships with other divisions within the CTR, and other Welsh research units , including DECIPHer, Centre for Adult Social Care, National Centre for Mental Health, Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health and Advanced NeuroTherapies Centre.

We provide opportunities for collaboration and development – with experienced and new Chief Investigator alike. We work to develop appropriately resourced trials and studies across a range of funders (in the UK and internationally) with strategic support of smaller studies. With our open-door policy, we will consider adoption of any well-designed research study or trial idea, even those currently related to the areas of research interests. If you are interested in working with the division, or the Centre for Trials Research please get in touch with one of the Divisional Directors or thematic leads (contact details below).