The Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are both to benefit from a substantial grant by The Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation to fund collaborative ground-breaking research into neuropsychiatric disorders.

This funding is being used to establish a single Institute with two centres: Glasgow and Edinburgh. Each centre will contribute its own expertise and specialist research and is yet further evidence of the ongoing successful collaboration between Scotland's two largest research universities.

This joint Institute, whose Edinburgh centre will be formally opened on Monday 29 March by Dr Mortimer Sackler and his family, will mirror similar institutes funded by the Foundation at the Universities of Columbia and Cornell in the USA.

In Glasgow, a significant amount of the award will be used to provide access to state-of-the-art brain imaging equipment allowing the study of the structure and chemistry of the brain.

The award will also fund facilities in Glasgow that will allow measurement of memory, concentration and sleep in those suffering from emotional illnesses such as depression, and the results of brain trauma.

Dr Jonathan Cavanagh of the Department of Psychological Medicine is the principal researcher at the University of Glasgow.

He said: " Our research is closely linked to gaining a greater understanding of treatment responses under these conditions."

He continued: " By being able to better understand the mechanics of how our brains operate, we can further our knowledge of why people respond in different ways to treatments including anti-depressants.

The funding from the Sackler Foundation will enable us to work towards our goals using state-of-the-art equipment in superb new facilities."

In Edinburgh, the funding will be used to extend ongoing studies of patients with schizophrenia and their relatives, using structural and functional MRI. It will also allow researchers to examine people with related conditions such as bipolar disorder and autism, to identify the critical similarities and differences in their neurobiological underpinnings.

Dr Stephen Lawrie of the Division of Psychiatry is a principal researcher at the University of Edinburgh.

He said: " The main thrust of our research is to use advanced brain imaging techniques to identify the earliest changes in brain structure and function that accompany the onset of schizophrenia, and to distinguish these from the changes in bipolar disorder and autism."

He continued: "The funding from the Sackler Foundation ensures that we can build upon these internationally recognised studies and continue to work towards early diagnostic testing, with the ultimate aim of prevention.

By working with colleagues in Glasgow, we can effectively pool resources and expertise and establish ourselves as field leaders in collaborative clinical neuroscience, especially in brain imaging."

Other key members of the institute include Professors Colin Espie (Glasgow), Eve Johnstone (Edinburgh), Joanna Wardlaw (Edinburgh) and David Wyper (Glasgow),

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The Sackler Foundations support the advancement of education of the public in the UK and elsewhere in the fields of art, science and medical research

For further information, contact either the University of Glasgow Press Office on 0141 330 3535 or the University of Edinburgh Press Office on 0131 650 6382

First published: 29 March 2004