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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 division 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 division 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 Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences.

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.

Major new Horizon Europe grant to advance research on child maltreatment services

21 May 2025

A new €6.3 million initiative will bring together researchers from 12 countries to address critical gaps in identifying and supporting cases of children who have experienced abuse.

A headshot image of Professor Anita Thapar

Cardiff University Professor awarded prestigious Heinrich Hoffman Medal for pioneering work in ADHD

15 May 2025

Professor Anita Thapar, a globally renowned expert in child and adolescent psychiatry, has been awarded the Heinrich Hoffman Medal by the World Federation of ADHD.

An image of Professor James Walters

CNGG Director appointed as Health and Care Research Wales ‘Senior Research Leader’

10 May 2025

Director of the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Professor James Walters has been appointed as a Health and Care Research Wales ‘Senior Research Leader’ in recognition of his outstanding contribution to health and care research.

Researchers awarded two major grants totalling over £1.6 million to investigate severe mental illness

29 April 2025

Cardiff University researchers awarded over £1.6 million by the Wellcome Trust to investigate the underlying causes of cognitive impairments seen in severe mental illness.

CNGG hosts family-favourite ‘Be a brain explorer’ event for Cardiff Science Festival

1 March 2025

On Saturday 22 February, the Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG) hosted a free event for children and their families, as part of the Cardiff Science Festival and supported by the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH).