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nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)
@nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
760 followers 170 following 92 posts
We are part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research and hosted by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King's College London. www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk #mentalhealth
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nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Researchers from our Pain and Addictions theme are exploring innovative ways to prevent opioid #overdose, by using remote monitoring technology and improving the accessibility of antidotes.

➡️ www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/o...
From Lab to Lifesaver: Rethinking how we detect and respond to opioid overdose
October 23, 2025 at 11:15 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Around 24% of mothers experience postnatal depression, which can have long-lasting impacts.

New research has shown that a community-based singing group - Breathe Melodies for Mums - has helped reduce depressive symptoms for up to 6 months.

➡️ www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/o...
Group singing reduces symptoms of postnatal depression for up to six months .“Singing in Breathe Melodies for Mums gave me a space for all my feelings. The songs helped me process the trauma of my son's birth and gave me a powerful tool for bonding with him. Even now when he's unsettled I sing songs from Melodies.” Girija, a mother who took part in the singing group
October 15, 2025 at 8:52 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
✂️Join us for a creative workshop exploring new research into #loneliness and substance use.

Hosted by NIHR Maudsley BRC researchers, Artizine and McPin Foundation | Part of #ESRCFestival of Social Science

🗓️Tues 4 Nov, 2-6pm
📍Peckham Levels
🎟️Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/zine-makin...
zine workshop: stories of loneliness and substance use
October 7, 2025 at 11:03 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Join a #PredictionModelling presentation with Dr oliverpain.bsky.social (Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow @kingsioppn.bsky.social ) discussing Polygenic scores and learnings from his work developing the #GenoPred pipeline.

➡️Wed 1 Oct, 3-4pm, Online
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/polyg...
Prediction Modelling presentations: Polygenic Scores in Practice: Standardisation, Missing Variants, and Lessons from GenoPred
September 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Prof Gráinne McAlonan, Director of NIHR Maudsley BRC, discusses the claims that taking paracetamol while pregnant causes #autism on @bbc5live.bsky.social

@nihr.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @rickedwards1.bsky.social

Listen at 1:46:24 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... 📻
IN THE NEWS: "There is no scientific evidence that paracetamol use in pregnancy causes autism ... We think that the most likely explanation of autism is that it results from a really complex mix of genes and the environment.” Professor Gráinne McAlonan Director, NIHR Maudsley BRC
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Our Culture, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (CEDI) Impact Award is now open for submissions.

The award celebrates the efforts of researchers who have made significant contributions to research, and demonstrate impact in advancing CEDI principles.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/equ...
Photo of people in a coffee shop talking and smiling
September 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
A new systematic review shows psychological support matters in #KidneyDisease care.

CBT, self-confidence training and exercise programmes help people with chronic kidney disease feel more confident, improve mood and enhance physical function.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/s...
Psychological support could improve care for people with kidney disease, new study shows. “Too often, psychological support only reaches people once they have kidney failure. Our research shows the benefits of bringing this support earlier, helping people feel more in control, stay physically active, and potentially reduce the impact of chronic kidney disease on daily life..” Pooja Schmill, NIHR Maudsley BRC Doctoral Student at the IoPPN and lead author of the study
September 15, 2025 at 1:24 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Around 90% of middle-aged and older #autistic adults are undiagnosed in the UK and face higher rates of mental and physical health conditions.

Research led by Dr Gavin Stewart & Prof Francesca Happé; funded by @britishacademy.bsky.social @nihr.bsky.social

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/a...
Around 90% of middle-aged and older autistic adults are undiagnosed in the UK / "Understanding the needs of autistic people as they age is a pressing global public health concern. As autistic people age, the nature of the challenges they face changes. We must adopt a lifespan approach that funds long-term research, integrates tailored healthcare, and expands social supports so that ageing autistic people can live happy and healthy lives." / Professor Francesca Happé, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, King’s IoPPN and Co-author
August 29, 2025 at 9:56 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
New research has found that #loneliness is a risk factor for poorer healthcare outcomes in people with substance use disorders.

The study used data from @maudsleynhs.bsky.social, accessed via the Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) platform.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/a...
Recognising loneliness in people with substance use disorders “Our findings show that loneliness is a significant risk factor for increased mental health symptoms and poorer healthcare outcomes in people with substance use disorders. This highlights the importance of routinely asking about, and recording, patients’ feelings of loneliness which can often be overlooked in discussions in healthcare services.” Dr Mariana Pinto da Costa, NIHR Maudsley BRC CEDI Lead
August 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
A significant proportion of children with Biliary Atresia, a rare and serious early-onset liver condition, may face challenges in communication, motor skills and social interaction, research from @kingsioppn.bsky.social, funded by @nihr.bsky.social finds.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j...
New research indicates that early-onset liver disease in childhood adversely affects the developing brain - “Even before the age of two, a sizeable number of these children show brain developmental delays. The finding that a higher than expected number infants with Bilary Artersia also have autistic rates suggests an impact on social communication, a novel finding for this cohort.” - Dr Megan Earl, Research Associate, King’s IoPPN
August 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
BBC Radio 4's Inside Health interviewed Professor Sir John Strang (Deputy Lead of our Pain and Addictions theme) to see how he is experimenting with new ways of tackling rising drug deaths: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Drug-related deaths are at their highest levels in England and Wales since records began 30 years ago. Professor Sir John Strang, from our BRC’s Pain & Addictions theme, was joined by BBC presenter James Gallagher at the NIHR King’s Clinical Research Facility where he is exploring new ways of tackling rising deaths.
August 6, 2025 at 11:27 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Researchers have linked records from @maudsleynhs.bsky.social and the DWP using CRIS, to understand how people with mental health problems use the #UniversalCredit system. They identified groups which may benefit from individualised support: www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j...
Image of Dr Sarah Leden. New Research Universal Credit: how people who have accessed mental health services journey through the welfare system “This research can help identify key barriers in accessing and returning to work; and suggests which groups of people may need greater support to help them back into employment. People stuck searching for work longest weren’t necessarily those with the most severe mental health problems, suggesting other barriers like local job opportunities, caring responsibilities or skills gaps were the real barriers.” Dr Sarah Ledden, Research Associate, King’s IoPPN
August 6, 2025 at 10:17 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
New research funded by @nihr.bsky.social and the MRC shows that negative school experiences generate twice the emotional burden in #autistic and #ADHD adolescents compared to their peers, and this is significantly correlated with depression and anxiety.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j...
“Understanding why young people with ADHD and autism are at increased risk of mental health problems is an essential step in developing new interventions to improve the mental health of neurodivergent people.” Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke, Theme lead for Child Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, NIHR Maudsley BRC
July 25, 2025 at 9:56 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Research which is investigating why ketamine could be a good treatment for some people with depression, has discovered that the drug’s antidepressant effects involve the brain’s opioid system.

The study was supported by @nihr.bsky.social and the MRC.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j...
Dr Luke Jelen, lead author of the study and a Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry at IoPPN King’s College London, said: “Ketamine often makes the news for negative reasons. However, at a low dose, ketamine shows enormous potential to offer relief from the symptoms of depression.” “Understanding whether the opioid system is involved ketamine’s antidepressant effects is a really important question, given how much we still don't know about how ketamine works. “Our study shows that the opioid system is involved and offers insight into how it contributes to ketamine’s effects.”
July 24, 2025 at 1:14 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Congratulations to Morwenna Rickard, one of our PhD students, who has received @nihr.bsky.social SPARC funding for a 3-month placement at @oxhealthbrc.bsky.social: www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j...
"This is a great opportunity to learn from experts in the field and explore new approaches to treatment, as well as expanding my skills and building new collaborations. I'm excited to get stuck in!'”
July 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
The CAMHS Digital Lab @camhsdlab.bsky.social (funded by @nihr.bsky.social) is helping to transform child #mentalhealth care systems - their novel service model embeds research and innovation into CAMHS, improving the effectiveness of clinical care.

www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j...
“Clinicians, researchers and informaticians can work together to improve the delivery of child and adolescent mental health services through digital innovation. We hope that sharing our model of working will help others to consider how these practices could be adopted elsewhere."
July 1, 2025 at 1:46 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
🎨For #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, lived experience experts, students and researchers came together at Peckham Levels to challenge stigma through art, poetry and zines.

Read the zines and more about the event: www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j... @kingsioppn.bsky.social
Easels displaying artwork Two zines printed out Selection of small, brightly coloured paintings displayed on glass Handwritten note 'I was watching a tree grow and then I had a dream'
June 27, 2025 at 10:13 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Register now for @nihr.bsky.social #CRFBRC25 (14–15 July): nihr.eventscase.com/EN/programme

Our Director, Professor Grainne McAlonan will co-present a session on the #MentalHealth TRC and explore current progress and future ambitions, with Professors Jeremy Hall and @rachelutg.bsky.social.
Healthy Minds in Healthy Bodies – Current progress and future ambitions for mental health research in the U.K Delivered by the Mental Health TRC, featuring Professor Grainne McAlonan
June 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
The Research & Development teams of @kingsioppn.bsky.social and @maudsleynhs.bsky.social are celebrating #Red4Research day and everyone who makes health and care research possible, from participants and volunteers to researchers and support teams.❤️

"Proud to be changing lives through research"
Group of people dressed in red Multiple written quotes from people about research, e.g. 'It's amazing what research can do for health'
June 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
"Research changes lives and leads to a better future!" ❤️

Find out how you can take part in research: slam.nhs.uk/blog/be-part... #BePartofResearch

#Red4Research
Research is about making the much needed changes to our healthcare service Research changes lives and leads to a better future
June 20, 2025 at 8:48 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
"I'm proud to contribute to the research that helps to improve mental healthcare" #Red4Research ❤️

Thanks to all those who make health research possible!

@nihr.bsky.social #BePartofResearch
Improves lives I'm proud to contribute to the research that helps to improve mental healthcare
June 20, 2025 at 8:48 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
❤️The Joint Research & Development Office @kingsioppn.bsky.social and Research Delivery team @maudsleynhs.bsky.social are celebrating #Red4Research day!
Research improves how we work Wealth in health
June 20, 2025 at 8:48 AM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
New research from @kingsioppn.bsky.social @nihrbioresource.bsky.social has identified a range of weight loss behaviours associated with #eatingdisorders which are not currently included in assessment criteria: www.maudsleybrc.nihr.ac.uk/posts/2025/j...

📽️First author Saakshi Kakar explains:👇
June 18, 2025 at 12:45 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
Professor Katya Rubia spoke to The @telegraphnews.bsky.social about the rise in people without #ADHD taking ADHD medication - how the drugs work and what the risks are: www.msn.com/en-sg/health...
The Telegraph: The dangers of taking ADHD drugs when you don’t really need them. “You shouldn’t take ADHD drugs at all if you don’t have ADHD; you’re a healthy person and the side effects are unnecessary [...] You already have an optimal amount of dopamine in your system, so increasing it will make you perform worse.” Professor Katya Rubia, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, King’s IoPPN
June 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
nihrmaudsleybrc.bsky.social
A new systematic review looks at the experiences of unpaid black carers of people with psychosis. #CarersWeek

It highlights challenges at individual, community, and societal levels such as stigma and difficulty accessing mental health services: archpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
The qualitative accounts of black informal carers of people with psychosis and their experiences accessing mental health services: a systematic review
June 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM