The neurodevelopmental hub brings together a diverse group of researchers and clinicians interested in mechanisms and consequences of brain development and function to better understand, improve diagnosis of, and identify new therapeutic targets for neurodevelopmental, neurological, and psychiatric conditions.

Our interests include neuronal and glial development, synapse assembly, synaptic specificity in neural circuits, glial control of neuronal circuitry, generation of neuronal excitability, neuronal circuits underlying behaviour, neuronal plasticity, and neurodegeneration. We are also interested in better understanding the lifelong consequences of neurodevelopmental, neurological, and neurocognitive conditions including genetic disorders, epilepsy, mitochondrial disorders, neurodegenerative, metabolic disorders, autism, ADHD, Down’s Syndrome, Alzheimer disease-Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities to improve diagnosis, and treatment. We will also study acquired brain disorders and traumatic insults to the growing central nervous system.

We aim to better understand, quantify, and model the dynamics of complex molecular assemblies, signalling processes, neuronal excitability, and functions of the nervous system and how they evolved. We are interested in the development of brains and behaviour, cognition, and affect, etc in children, as well as how these can be modelled in animals.

To achieve this we are interested in facilitating multi-disciplinary research developing new and diverse technologies including transgenic (including novel CRISPR) model organisms (Drosophila, fish, mice, rats, etc), in vitro models (including IPSCs, human and model organism cell lines, brain organoids), computational modelling and devices (incorporating in silico screening and AI) as well as sequencing and recording human brain tissue and measuring human brain activity, symptoms and behaviour.

The Network supports strategic planning and networking across the University of Bristol, two Bristol NHS Trusts, GW4 and Industry partners through collaborative research, planning funding bids, events, and promoting recruitment and training of both staff and students interested in for instance neurotypical and neurodivergent neurodevelopment. We promote neurodiversity, early career development, public patient inclusion in our research and priority setting.

Examples of our interdisciplinary basic and clinical research that incorporates public patient inclusion is exemplified by award of a:

• CASK foundation research grant to develop a translational research platform to understand the function of CASK and develop new drugs to Drs James Hodge [Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience (PPN)], University of Bristol (UoB), Sam Amin (PPN UoB and NHS) and Ben Housden (Exeter University).

• Wellcome grant on sleep and cognitive function in children with 22q deletion syndrome lead by Profs Matt Jones (PPN UoB), Chris Jarrold (Psychological Science UoB) and clinicians at Cardiff University.

This hub also includes or is connected to:

• The Bristol Neuromuscular Research Group
• The Brain Tissue Engineering community
• The GW4 Southwest (SW) Epilepsy Community
• The Southwest Fly meeting group

Please email Hub leads Prof James Hodge and Dr Sam Amin if you would like to learn more or be involved in neurodevelopmental research.

Members of the Neurodevelopmental Hub steering committee:

• Co-Lead Dr Sam Amin (Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust)
• Dr Paul Anastasiades (Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience, Bristol Medical School)
• Dr Mike Ashby (Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience)
• Dr Edgar Buhl (Senior Research Fellow, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Early Career Researcher representative)
• Co-Lead Prof James Hodge (Professor, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience)
• Dr Karen Low (NIHR Clinical Research Fellow, Bristol Medical School, genomics/genetics expertise)
• Dr Arni Majumdar (Consultant in Paediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust)

 View a full list of Hub members