Brain injury rehabilitation research
‘There are around half a million cases of brain injury and degenerative change diagnosed in the UK every year.’
There is an urgent need to translate neuroscientific research into improved rehabilitation for brain injury and degenerative change patients and innovative treatments to improve their long term quality of life.
The Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics Centre (CN-CR) will be a unique new facility, bringing together the University’s world-class research in these areas to focus on rehabilitation.
The need
Pain, distress and a dramatically reduced quality of life are among the outcomes for the half-a-million people in the UK diagnosed with brain injury (eg stroke, head trauma) or degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease every year.
The treatment of these patients represents an enormous burden on carers and the Health Service but the quality and availability of long-term support is variable and individuals are often left to cope alone without structured treatment.
The solution
The CN-CR centre will bring the University’s existing world-class research in fields such as cognitive neuroscience and computational and cognitive robotics together within a unique, new, integrated facility.
Involving collaboration between the Schools of Psychology, Medicine, Bio-Engineering, Sport and Exercise Studies and Computer Science, CN-CR will use state-of-the-art equipment to conduct imaging studies that provide detailed information about brain structure and function.
Why Birmingham
The University is uniquely placed to provide a world class CN-CR centre. The School of Psychology is one of the leading international centres for cognitive neuroscience research, especially in the areas of sensory processing, attention and action, and has international experience in motor problems and speech and language problems. In addition, the largest screening programme of patients with neurological disorders and cognitive problems in the UK takes place at the University in conjunction with the local NHS.
The result - Improved rehabilitation for patients with cognitive change, leading to better long-term quality of life.
- Brain injured patients given vital independence through the development of intelligent robotic devices.
- Research moving from laboratory to patients as soon as possible through links with the NHS.
- Earlier diagnosis and improved understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children
How you can help
The CN-CR centre will comprise a set of integrated laboratories built around a high-resolution brain scanner, with further workshop and laboratory facilities needed for developing and testing the robotic devices.
To become a centre of excellence in this field, CN-CR will need to attract a world-class staff led by a team of three chairs - one in computational neuroscience, one in cognitive robotics and one in psychology.
Match funding means that for every £3 donated to the University the government will donate £1 until 2011; for further information, contact Hannah Eno +44 (0)121 414 7860.
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