FaTHoM day @ndcnoxford.bsky.social brought together families affected by inherited MND to — hear research updates from experts — meet clinicians and researchers working on inherited MND — connect with other families affected Read more about this year’s event ⬇️ mndresearch.blog/2026/07/03/f...

📢NEW RESEARCH: Lancet review calls for urgent action to tackle the growing global threat of encephalitis The review calls for faster diagnosis, improved treatments, and strengthened prevention strategies to reduce death and disability worldwide.  Read more: https://tinyurl.com/3uck8dr8

Congratulations to Dr Ruxandra Dafinca who has been awarded an Alzheimer's Society Dementia Research Leader Fellowship to identify the key protein dynamics that drive synaptic dysfunction in frontotemporal dementia pathology. 👏 Read more: www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/news/dr-ruxa...

We’re thrilled that teams led by Prof Andrew Sharott and Prof Laura Parkkinen received multi-year grants to join the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) with support from @asapresearch.bsky.social in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation: buff.ly/tNXJ4dy #ParkinsonsDisease

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, our researchers are answering: “From your experience as a researcher, what one simple action helps protect or support good #mentalhealth?” Professor Masud Husain highlights the importance of feeling that your life has direction as you age tinyurl.com/BRConMHA2026

Professor Zameel Cader was part of the Working Group who oversaw this report released today on the ethical and governance issues raised by neural organoid research 👇

🔊 WE'RE HIRING: Oxford Brain Bank Governance Manager The successful candidate will be responsible for the governance of the tissue bank as well as for overseeing the processes of sample and data collection, storage and distribution for research. Apply by 30 April: buff.ly/tMha6L8

NEWS: Collaboration with the Nepal Public Health Foundation explores maternal health and epilepsy Read about this collaboration from @ndcnoxford.bsky.social 

We were very pleased to attend the Oxford Neuroscience Symposium yesterday. The event brings together researchers working on brain and mental health related fields from departments across the University of Oxford.

WE'RE HIRING: Research Culture Facilitator for the Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Restorative Neural Dynamics We are seeking a Reproach Culture Facilitator who can work collaboratively with researchers and a wide range of other stakeholders. Apply now: buff.ly/sT8JNXL

🔊 STUDENTSHIP: Pain Mechanisms This studentship will combine multidisciplinary approaches to understand the role of biological rhythms in pain using advanced in vitro human pain models. Apply by 29 April: buff.ly/2LQ78L5

📢 NEW RESEARCH: 'Stroke Cognition Calculator' could help predict thinking problems after stroke. The 'Stroke Cognition Calculator' has been shown to be 76% accurate in predicting a patient’s cognitive difficulties 6 months after their stroke. Read more: tinyurl.com/ymyemc93

For #MNNAwarenessMonth and ahead of #RareDiseaseDay tomorrow, we're highlighting the work of Professor Simon Rinaldi and Dr Nicolas Dubuisson, who are researching inflammatory neuropathies. Read more: www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/news/new-fun...

🔊 STUDENTSHIP: Interventional Genetics and Robotics for Retinal Disease Group The aim of this project is to answer several fundamental questions related to our understanding of molecular and cellular basis of retinal degeneration. Apply by 3 March: buff.ly/oJVVMOd

🔎 Can electrodes in the brain treat chronic #pain? Watch this recording of our recent public talk by leading Professors in Neurology at the University of Oxford on the use of Deep Brain Stimulation for chronic pain. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eifM...

🔊 EVENT: Level Up: Enriching Longevity Through Brain Health Professor Russell Foster is among other experts giving insights on practical, science-backed ways to upskill your brain. The conference is Wednesday, Feb 25 at @Center for BrainHealth in Dallas, Texas. Register now:

📢 EVENT: Other than Oxford Photography Exhibition celebrating diversity within the Oxford University community. 3.30-7pm, Thursday 26 February, Fusion Arts, Oxford, 15 Park End Street

📢 We are pleased to announce that two of our Professors, Laura Parkkinen and Peter Magill, have been appointed as Group Leaders for a new dedicated Parkinson's Research Centre. Read more: tinyurl.com/4vrtrdjb

📢 A new study has found that several commonly used drugs could significantly reduce the risk of delirium in older people following surgery. Delirium – a sudden state of confusion and memory problems – affects around one in seven older adults after an operation.

Many congratulations to Professors Esther Becker and Andrea Németh who have both been awarded £100,000 and specialist support to advance pioneering research projects exploring novel approaches to discover treatments for Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA).

🔊 CLOSING SOON: UNIQplus 2026 UNIQplus is the University’s flagship graduate access programme, which supports UK-resident students and graduates from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds to explore postgraduate study. Deadline: 12 midday, Wednesday, 18 February Apply: buff.ly/G46gZqF

A study has found that several commonly used drugs could significantly reduce the risk of #delirium in older people following surgery oxfordbrc.nihr.ac.uk/drugs-identi... @ndcnoxford.bsky.social @ndorms.bsky.social @ouhospitals.bsky.social @nihr.bsky.social @medsci.ox.ac.uk

JOB VACANCY: Course tutor in pain neurosciences This is an exciting opportunity support the delivery of the new University of Oxford MSc Programme in Pain Neurosciences. Apply by 3 March: buff.ly/H5LZsV7

🔊 JOB VACANCY: Oxford Brain Bank Governance Manager The successful candidate will be responsible for the governance of the tissue bank as well as for overseeing the processes of sample and data collection, storage and distribution for research. Apply by 3 March: buff.ly/gYWqkn9

'Seeing how cancer treatments and outcomes have evolved over time inspired me to contribute, in my own way, to research that could help drive further progress.' In this article for #WomenInScienceDay by Oxford Cancer, DPhil student Safiyah Mohamed explains why she's chosen to research Cancer Science

Today we're celebrating Today we're celebrating women at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences for hashtag#WomenInScienceDay. Here's just a selection of recent achievements: #WomenInScienceDay #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting roughly 50 million people around the world. Researchers at Oxford are looking at how epilepsy can be prevented, diagnosed and treated ⬇️ #InternationalEpilepsyDay

🔊 STUDENTSHIPS IN NEUROIMMUNOLOGY Two studentships are available in neuroimmunology, with a particular focus on multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Apply by 2 March: tinyurl.com/24dedpu2

🎧NEW PODCAST: Our Head of Department, Professor Kevin Talbot, has taken part in a The Naked Scientist podcast on Motor Neurone Disease (MND) 👇 tinyurl.com/mtbcahyr

#WIMMReads 🧪 #MRCWIMM Group Leader Yin Dong is among clinicians and scientists with expertise in congenital #MyasthenicSyndrome suggesting it may be time to update the disease name to reduce misdiagnosis and improve care. #Neurology #RareDisease @ndcnoxford.bsky.social @medsci.ox.ac.uk

🔊 STUDENTSHIP IN PAIN RHYTHMS This studentship will combine multidisciplinary approaches to understand the role of biological rhythms in pain using mouse spinal cord slices and advanced in vitro human pain models. Apply by 2 March: tinyurl.com/24dedpu2

Applications for the new MSc in Pain Neurosciences starting in October 2026 are currently open. Apply here: bit.ly/4h53b5x. Up to a week's notice of closure to admissions will be provided on our course webpage.

Applications for UNIQplus 2026, the University’s flagship graduate access programme, are now open. UNIQplus supports UK-resident students and graduates from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds to explore postgraduate study.

🗞️Read more here: www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk/news/ndorms-... @ndorms.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk @ndcnoxford.bsky.social

Curious about postgraduate study? Take part in a paid summer research internship in Oxford. UNIQplus is open to UK undergraduates from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds. 📆 Deadline: 18 February 👉 Apply: buff.ly/G46gZqF #UNIQplus #PostgraduateStudy #ResearchCareers

📢 EVENT: 'Airway management in neuromuscular respiratory failure' by Professor Sahar F Zafar, Harvard Medical School. Hosted by the Ventilator Weaning and Extubation in Neurocritical Care Network, and taking place 1-2pm, 23 January, online . More information and Teams link: tinyurl.com/reeyxj4n

New year, new sleep health? 💤 A new short animation explains the 5 Principles of Good Sleep Health which are essential for our daily health and well-being. The guidance is based on research by Professor Colin Espie, Professor of Sleep Medicine @ox.ac.uk

NEWS: Honorary degree recipients for the Chancellor’s ceremony announced Recipients include Professor Irene Tracey, CBE, FRS, FMedSci, neuroscientist at @ndcnoxford.bsky.social and Vice-Chancellor of @ox.ac.uk Many congratulations!

A gift of a gift for the 12th day of NDCN Christmas. A huge thank you to the Alan Davidson Foundation whose renewed commitment of funding will facilitate ground-breaking motor neuron disease research through the ACORN study: buff.ly/MYpc21s

For Day 11 of our 12 days of NDCN Christmas meet the six academics at NDCN recognised on the Clarivate Highly Cited List, which identifies and celebrates researchers who have demonstrated a "significant and broad influence" in science or medicine-related disciplines. Read more: buff.ly/QWhfOMO

Day 10 of the 12 days of NDCN Christmas and we're proudly reflecting on our Vice-Chancellor's Awards 🏆 The Awards are a University-wide celebration of outstanding people. Teams including members of NDCN and OxCIN were recognised for Teaching, Research Culture and Engagement: buff.ly/ywSFuit

Day 9 of 12 days of NDCN Christmas – in case you missed it we launched a new course this year!🎓 The MSc in Pain Neurosciences is a two-year, part-time blended programme rooted in the pioneering work of Oxford’s vibrant pain research community. Applications are open for 2026 entry: buff.ly/I3M6CmB

Happy New Year! 🥳 Did you stay up to see in 2026? Appropriately, for day 8 of our 12 Days of NDCN Christmas, we are thinking about sleep 💤 For World Sleep Day Rachel Sharman shared 5 top tips for a good night's sleep Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRwp... @oxhealthbrc.bsky.social

On day seven of 12 Days of NDCN Christmas we welcome our new Nuffield Professor of Anaesthetic Science, @brucebiccard.bsky.social In this conversation with Head of Department Prof Kevin Talbot, Prof Biccard talks about his career, global health, and research in South Africa buff.ly/99MgDUa

For day six of our 12 Days of Christmas we're congratulating our three new Professors and three new Associate Professors who were conferred their titles this year👏 Read more: buff.ly/FYhxLVP buff.ly/YeCyBca

For day five we are looking back on our interview with Prof Helen Higham, who became the first woman to be awarded the Frederic Hewitt Lectureship by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (@rcoanews.bsky.social ). Many congratulations Helen! 🎉 Read the interview: buff.ly/joApTaw

Day four of 12 Days of NDCN Christmas celebrates our Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework awards! #LEAF is a sustainability standard designed to help research groups reduce environmental impact and we're proud that many NDCN labs achieved bronze, silver and gold awards 🥇 🥈 🥉 buff.ly/CbQOPoW

On day three of our NDCN 12 Days of Christmas we're spotlighting the Oxford Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (@oxcin.bsky.social ) who gained a new name and a brand-new wearable brain scanner this year! Read more about the OPM-MEG: buff.ly/RLT3NMU

Welcome to day two of NDCN's 12 Days of Christmas! Today we're celebrating two new centres established in 2025: - The Centre for Global Epilepsy (@cgepilepsy.bsky.social ) led by Prof Arjune Sen 💜 - The MRC CoRE in Restorative Neural Dynamics (@rnd.ac.uk) directed by Prof Peter Magill 🧠

We've had a busy year here at NDCN. We've rounded up our highlights to share over the next 12 days! Day one is all about books 📚