The 'nexxt big thing' in neuroscience is the increased capability of neuro-imaging to see what is actually happening in the brain. Speakers highlighted the latest advances in neuro-imaging and outlined the potential impact this will have on a number of key research areas in the neuroscience field.

'The Nexxt Big Thing in Neuroscience' was chaired by Professor David Wyper, Director of Clinical Physics and Director of Research and Development of the South Glasgow Division of the NHS Glasgow Health Board.

The event opened with Dr Jim Patterson, who explored the molecular imaging of Parkinson's Disease, outlining how new imaging techniques can work with other techniques to better understand the mechanisms of Parkinson's Disease. Dr Patterson, Consultant Clinical Physicist at the Institute of Neurological Sciences within the Southern General Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer, Clinical Physics, University of Glasgow, has studied many neurological conditions, most recently Parkinson's disease and the many confounding movement disorders. For many years he has been an advisor on the assessment of scanner performance and on the evaluation of novel tracers for imaging neurotransmitter systems.

Professor Donald Hadley, a consultant neuro-radiologist in the Institute of Neurological Sciences at the Southern General Hospital and Honorary Professor of radiology at the University of Glasgow, followed, exploring the imaging of brain function. Professor Hadley was the lead clinician in the initial research evaluation of MRI when the first MRI unit was installed in Glasgow in 1984 and is currently evaluating the first clinical 3Tesla imager in Scotland.

Professor Mhairi Macrae, Professor of Neuroscience in the Division of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow, then outlined the impact that novel imaging techniques will have on future stroke prognosis. Professor Macrae' s major research focus is stroke and the study of ischaemic injury to the brain. Her research aims to identify those mechanisms responsible for inducing brain damage during ischaemia and reperfusion, and subsequent mechanisms promoting repair and recovery. Her research group evaluates new drugs designed to inhibit ischaemic brain damage and promote repair and recovery of cerebral tissue. She also has a current interest in the influence of oestrogen on stroke and the genetics of stroke.

The final speaker was Dr Hugh Marston, who heads the Neurobiology Section at Organon's research site at Newhouse and is an Honorary Research Fellow, Neuroscience University of Edinburgh. Dr Marston looked at future horizons in CNS drug discovery.

His research focuses on CNS and analgesia research, encompassing all stages of the drug discovery process from molecular to early clinical development. His current interests include novel approaches for the treatment of depression and psychosis as well as the use of emerging technologies in drug research.

Professor David Wyper, said: "This event comes at an exciting time for neuroscience research in the West of Scotland with recent announcements about the new Sackler Institute of Psychobiological Research, which opened at the University of Glasgow in September".

The Sackler Institute of Psychobiological Research in Glasgow puts mental health research in Glasgow at the cutting edge of science. By improving our understanding of how the mind and brain interact we expect in time to develop more effective treatments for common problems like depression and insomnia. We also hope that our research will help with the fitting of individual treatment to the individual patient, because we are looking to discover why is that people differ in their response treatment.

Existing neuroimaging equipment will be upgraded and state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscience and sleep research laboratory facilities will be provided. These will be used to develop and extend research into emotional disorders. They will also allow research into the biological mechanisms of treatment response in those suffering from conditions such as depression and insomnia. These disorders are the most common mental health problems in the UK adult community.

Nexxus is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Scottish Enterprise Network, the University of Glasgow and Glasgow City Council.

For further information about neuroscience research capabilities in the West of Scotland, please see the neuroscience research section of the Nexxus website http://www.nexxusscotland.com/research/neuro.html.

Further information on the new developments at the Sackler Institute of Psychobiological Research in Glasgow, please contact: Mike Findlay in the Uiversity of Glasgow Press Office on 0141 330 8593 or email: m.findlay@admin.gla.ac.uk.

First published: 4 October 2004