Issue 24 – NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre

Welcome to the Oxford Health BRC Newsletter, full of ideas, impact, and innovation. Dive in to discover the latest research highlights and collaborations shaping our work.

To feature in future editions email Oxford Health R&D Comms.

Our research in the News

Oxford Mail: Oxford University study finds liver disease worst overnight
Oxford Mail: Oxford study outlines plan to make research more diverse
Oxford Mail: Oxford professors host free talk about radical new research
MSN: Keto diet shows antidepressant effect in drug-resistant depression
Medpage Today: Keto diet shows antidepressant effect in drug-resistant depression

Recent commentary reflects on research equity in women’s mental health

To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, we highlighted a recent commentary on research equity in women’s mental health, which stated that women should be featured at the heart of mental health research. The commentary was co-authored by Dr Angharad de Cates, OH BRC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Academic Lead and Professor Rachel Upthegrove, Director of OH BRC.

Read more: OH BRC News

Join the WISDOM Schools Research Network

Children’s Mental Health Week (9 to 15 February) focused on “This is My Place”, highlighting the importance of belonging. Our recent social media campaign invited schools and colleges across England to join the WISDOM Schools Research Network, helping build real‑world evidence that strengthens wellbeing support and amplifies young people’s voices across diverse learning communities.

Read more: OH BRC News

Unlocking opportunities at the Research Careers Showcase

The recent Research Careers Showcase drew strong UK-wide interest, with around 100 NMAHPs joining the online event. Professor Anne‑Maree Keenan’s keynote highlighted research opportunities and overcoming barriers, followed by inspiring personal career journeys from Oxford Health and university clinicians, emphasising mentorship, reflection, and taking the first step into research.

Read more: OH BRC News

Unlocking opportunities at the Research Careers Showcase

Study tests whether deep brain stimulation can treat chronic pain

The first three patients have undergone revolutionary brain surgery in a bid to treat the chronic pain they have experienced since having a stroke. The EPIONE study, led by Oxford neurosurgeons and engineers, is trialling whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) – an electrical pulse delivered into affected areas of the brain – can help to relieve central post-stroke pain. DBS works by delivering a gentle electrical stimulation directly to specific brain areas through thin electrode wires. The level of stimulation can be adjusted depending on how it affects symptoms, meaning it can be tailored to each individual.

Read more: OH BRC News

60 seconds with… Luarena Durston, Oxford Health BRC Administrator

In the latest of our 60 seconds interview series, we spoke with Luarena Durston, OH BRC and Oxford Health NHS Foundation (OHFT) Research & Development (R&D) Administrator. In this new interview, Luarena outlines her admin support role for our BRC and OHFT R&D, producing NIHR reports, BRC Theme finance reports and support with Electronic Staff Records, eProcurement, eRostering and the Learning & Development portal. She also discusses her previous career, running her own portrait photography studio and how she is inspired by “kind people who have a can-do attitude”.

Read more: OH BRC News

Mood Disorder Network launches membership status

The NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) Mission Mood Disorder workstream has launched a new Affiliate Membership status to their network of Higher Education Institutions and NHS Trusts, enabling formal research engagement opportunities between clinical and academic experts across the UK. This network aims to advance research into and improve care for people affected by mood disorders, including difficult-to-treat depression and bipolar disorder.

Read more: OH BRC News

New BioResource to drive progress in severe mental illness research

The Severe Mental Illness Longitudinal Evaluation (SMILE) BioResource will support research into severe mental illness (SMI) by recruiting up to 2,000 volunteers who have a recorded diagnosis of SMI to share biological samples, questionnaires and clinical data. This high‑quality, real‑world resource aims to investigate the biological, social and environmental factors that shape the risk and experience of SMI.

Read more: OH BRC News

New BioResource to drive progress in severe mental illness research

Public contributors' recommendations for increased diversity in research

A group of patient and public involvement contributors have developed key recommendations for researchers when engaging with under-served communities, which includes ensuring that the right people were involved, building relationships and being mindful of practicalities, such as payment and accessible venues. The research was carried out by members of the NIHR Oxford Health and Oxford Biomedical Research Centres’ Diversity in Research Group, a patient and public involvement group that aims to make involvement in health research more engaging to diverse communities.

Read more: OH BRC News

Public contributors' recommendations for increased diversity in research

Department of Psychiatry Annual Report 2025

The Department of Psychiatry advanced major research, secured significant funding, and strengthened national impact in 2025. Key achievements include breakthroughs in dementia, adolescent mental health and depression treatment, expanding clinical innovation, and deepening inclusion work. Award‑winning teams and new partnerships position the department for further progress improving mental health care.

Read/download the full report: DoP About Us

Study suggests blood pressure care after giving birth could protect brain health

A new Oxford-led study shows that women with hypertensive pregnancies can better protect long‑term brain health by managing blood pressure soon after birth. Home monitoring with remote clinical support led to larger white‑matter volumes at nine months, suggesting early postpartum care may reduce future neurological risks.

Oxford Health BRC Newsletters

Our research in the News

Recent commentary reflects on research equity in women’s mental health

Join the WISDOM Schools Research Network

Unlocking opportunities at the Research Careers Showcase

Study tests whether deep brain stimulation can treat chronic pain

60 seconds with… Luarena Durston, Oxford Health BRC Administrator

Mood Disorder Network launches membership status

New BioResource to drive progress in severe mental illness research

Public contributors' recommendations for increased diversity in research

Department of Psychiatry Annual Report 2025

Study suggests blood pressure care after giving birth could protect brain health

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