University of Cambridge launches new institute to research brain health challenges

The University of Cambridge has announced a new institute to study brain health and understand why people experience cognitive and emotional difficulties.

The Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute will bring together researchers from across the university, alongside patients, carers, healthcare practitioners, policymakers and innovators. Its work will focus on brain health throughout life, from early childhood to old age.

The institute has been founded by the university’s Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry. It will build on research carried out by the Medical Research Council’s Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit.

The institute will examine how factors such as digital lifestyles, diet, lack of physical activity, illnesses, climate change, conflicts and social relationships affect brain



health.

Researchers want to understand why these factors affect people differently and how they influence cognitive and emotional well-being.

The university said that treatments for conditions affecting the brain and mind are often ineffective because researchers do not yet fully understand these effects.

The institute will provide researchers with access to advanced brain imaging and brain stimulation facilities. They will also receive technical support, advice on research methods and access to scientific computing resources.

These facilities will be available not only to the institute’s researchers but also to members of the wider research community.

The institute will also organise lectures, academic events and public engagement activities to encourage people to take part in brain and mind research.