From cells to society

Investigating the functional links among neurons, networks and social signals

The Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology (INP) is one of seven research Institutes at the University of Glasgow, composed of members of the School of Psychology and the former Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences. Its aim is to facilitate interdisciplinary research, enhance the environment for students, and realise the strategic goals of the University. Research has been reorganized around strands of excellence. The INP includes four Research Centres:

• Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi)
• Centre for Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (cSCAN)
• Centre for Neuroscience (CN)
• Centre for Stroke and Brain Imaging (CSBI)

Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014)

University of Glasgow is rated UK’s #1 for Research Intensity in Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (jointly with UCL) according to the Times Higher Education Intensity ranking. Times Higher Education used the REF ‘grade point average’ (GPA) and estimated Research Intensity, which is the GPA multiplied by the proportion of eligible staff submitted.

"The College’s Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience submission also excelled with 44% rated 'world-leading': an evaluation which underlined its grounding in excellence, particularly in systems neuroscience, cognitive neuroimaging and social interactions"

Challenges and Strengths

We strive to understand the brain at multiple levels of function, from cells to cognition. Our approaches range from molecular, cellular and systems level investigations to the brain imaging of human behaviour and cognition. We specialize in investigating cell signalling, stem cells, brain imaging and formal modelling, with focus on the dynamics of information processing in cortical networks.

Grant and Publication Highlights

Between 2008 and 2013 the INP has obtained £19.8M in competitive funding and published more than 700 peer reviewed articles including leading generic journals (Nature and Nature family: 10; PNAS: 19) and leading specialist Journals (Curr Biol: 20; J Neurosci: 27). The articles have incurred more than 10,000 citations, with the overall citation count in 2011-12 increasing to 7000/yr.

Sample Publications:

• Muckli L., De Martino, F., Vizioli L., Petro L.S., Smith, F.W., Ugurbil, K., Goebel, R. & Yacoub, E. (2015). Contextual feedback to superficial layers of V1. Current Biology , 25(20), 2690–2695. (doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.08.05)
• Jack, R. E., and Schyns, P. G. (2015) The human face as a dynamic tool for social communication. Current Biology, 25(14), R621-R634. (doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.05.052)
• Ghazanfar, A.A., Morrill, R.J., and Kayser, C. (2013) Monkeys are perceptually tuned to facial expressions that exhibit a theta-like speech rhythm. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110 (5). pp. 1959-1963. ISSN 0027-8424 (doi:10.1073/pnas.1214956110)
• Todd, A.J. (2010) Neuronal circuitry for pain processing in the dorsal horn. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(12), 823-836. (doi:10.1038/nrn2947)
• Uhlhaas, P., and Singer, W.(2010) Abnormal neural oscillations and synchrony in schizophrenia. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11, 100-113. (doi:10.1038/nrn2774)
• Pickering, M.J., and Garrod, S. (2013) Forward models and their implications for production, comprehension, and dialogue. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 36(4), 377-392. (doi:10.1017/S0140525X12003238)

The structure of the Institute

The Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology is part of the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences and the College of Science & Engineering.