Neuroscience Research Theme
The BII Neuroimaging theme is headed up by Karl Herholz, with Ingo Schiessl acting as Deputy. Karl is professor in clinical neuroscience and leads the neuroscience imaging programme at the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre. He is also Honorary Consultant in Neurology at Salford Royal Hospital and in Nuclear Medicine at St. Mary’s Hospital (CMFT). He is conducting neuroimaging studies (PET and MRI) into dementia and brain tumours and coordinates EC-funded International Multicentre Studies on Early Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases within the "Network for Efficiency and Standardisation of Dementia Diagnosis" (NEST-DD), the Network of Excellence in Molecular Diagnostic Imaging (DiMI), and Imaging of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases (INMiND). Karl also works in collaboration with the NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).
Ingo's research is based in the following areas: Visual Psychophysics, Computational Neuroscience, Neurophysiology and Visual Neuroscience. He is currently working on the investigation of the structure, hemodynamic response and metabolism in functional brain imaging Using multi-wavelength optical imaging with electrode and tissue oxygen recordings. These methods are applied to the investigation of stroke and neuroinflammation as well as hyperspectral imaging of the retina in glaucoma.
Neuroimaging in Manchester takes the form of multi-modality, preclinical, clinical and basic imaging science research with an emphasis on the mechanisms of disease and brain function. Along with oncology, neuroimaging makes up the largest proportion of biomedical imaging research within Manchester, making use of many of the facilities available to BII researchers. Researchers in this field have a strong methodological emphasis with extensive expertise in imaging physics, clinical imaging, computing, mathematical modelling, biology, healthcare systems and statistics, allowing a coherent and integrated approach to challenging problems requiring insights from different disciplines. The group has a strong and proven track record in imaging methods development and application, particularly with regard to MRI and PET. The group has developed its interest in cross-species comparison of function and functional anatomy and their translation into the clinical setting. This includes the ongoing programme of work in dementias, aphasias, stroke and behavioural disorders. The group’s cross-species interest in pharmacological fMRI continues to expand, with a particular emphasis on the control of appetite and on schizophrenia.
The University’s Neuroscience Research Institute (NRI) has close interactions with the BII and the neuroscience group falls within the remit of both Institutes. The NRI brings together researchers from science, engineering and medicine backgrounds to produce high-quality research in the area of neuroscience (visit the NRI website). Both Institutes have provided Manchester with the opportunity to increase the integration of imaging and allied methodologies and to extend its portfolio of work to include Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Electroencephalography (EEG) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). They provide a seamless integration of bench-to-bedside research that allows for a free-flowing interchange between basic and clinical studies.
For more detailed information about the research taking place in this group, please see Focus on Neuroscience.
Contact details
Professor Karl Herholz
Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre 27 Palatine Road
Withington
Manchester
M20 3LJ
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 0014
Fax: +44 (0)161 275 0003
Email: karl.herholz@manchester.ac.uk
Dr Ingo Schiessl
Faculty of Life Sciences
3.614 Stopford Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PT
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 8967
Or Tel: +44 (0)161 306 5924
Email: i.schiessl@manchester.ac.uk