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School of Medicine

Psychological medicine and clinical neurosciences

A bird's eye view of the Hadyn Ellis building foyer busy with visitors.
Visitors to the Hadyn Ellis building meeting Cardiff University researchers.

Our research aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying major psychiatric and neurological disorders.

The department hosts more than 160 academic and research staff, and more than 40 current postgraduate research students.

Our programmes of work include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression in children and adolescents, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy among others.

We have a major focus on genetics and genomics but also an interest in brain imaging, epidemiology, cell biology, molecular and behavioural neuroscience, bioinformatics and data science. In addition, there is also work on psychoeducation, health services, and patient and public involvement and engagement.

Our research in psychiatry and neuroscience was ranked 7th in the UK by REF 2021. 95% of our research is deemed as either world-leading or internationally excellent.

The department is home to several research centres:

As well as the Canopi mental health support service.

Latest news

Read the most current research news from the Department of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences.

Person in army uniform, leaning forward talking to a medical professional holding a clipboard

New PTSD therapy for military veterans

26 March 2026

A new tailored PTSD therapy is an effective and scalable treatment option for veterans.

Event marks contributions of world-renowned neuropsychiatric genetics researchers

25 March 2026

An event in honour of Professor Sir Michael Owen and Professor Michael O’Donovan to mark their world-renowned contributions to the field of neuropsychiatric genetics and wider mental health research. 

Female doctor talking to a female patient in a consultation at the hospital while taking notes on a clipboard

ADHD gender gap linked with later diagnosis and poorer outcomes

10 March 2026

Late diagnosis of ADHD in girls and young women is associated with increased mental health issues, self-harm, alcohol use and drug use.

Colourful silhouettes of human faces

Thousands recruited for “new era” severe mental illness study

16 February 2026

GlobalMinds’ three-year study led by mental health data science company Akrivia Health Ltd in partnership with Cardiff University

Meet the Brain and Genomics Hub: new centre shares plans to advance mental health research

6 October 2025

Cardiff University has unveiled its new Brain and Genomics Hub, advancing research into the causes and treatment of severe mental health conditions.

MRI brain scan

Gene therapy appears to slow Huntington’s disease progression

26 September 2025

Cardiff University academics led on gene therapy surgeries in the UK

Computer generated image of DNA strand

Scientists discover eight new schizophrenia genes

15 August 2025

Researchers have identified eight new genes associated with schizophrenia in the largest exome-sequencing study to date.

Attendees from the 2025 CNGG Summer School with Professor Walters and Professor Kirov.

Summer School in Brain Disorders Research returns for its fifteenth year

1 August 2025

The four-day Summer School in Brain Disorders Research, hosted annually by Cardiff University's Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG), returned this July for its fifteenth consecutive year.

New study explores mental health research priorities of families affected by depression

31 July 2025

A new publication highlights which mental health research topics matter most to parents with depression and their children.

A person holds Waves of Hope book in their lap

New book shares patient perspectives on electroconvulsive therapy

25 June 2025

A new collection of stories curated in partnership with a clinical professor are shedding light on people’s experiences of receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat psychosis.