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Department of Brain Sciences

@imperialbrains.bsky.social
322 followers 170 following 101 posts

Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London | Part of the Faculty of Medicine | Delivering a unique portfolio of translational research in neuroscience and mental health www.imperial.ac.uk/brain-sciences

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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Prof. Tony Goldstone @tonygoldstone.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Congratulations to all my promoted colleagues @imperialbrains.bsky.social www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
Brain Sciences academic and teaching colleagues celebrate promotion in Imperial's 2026 round
Five Brain Sciences academic and teaching colleagues have been promoted this year in recognition of their contributions to neuroscience, neurology, p...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Earlier dementia support matters. Last week Minder, UK DRI's digital care platform, was on BBC Breakfast & 5 Live. 📺 Prof David Sharp with carers Paul & Heather 📻 Sarah Daniels on why spotting changes early matters Listen to Sarah (from 38:38) 👉https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031szw
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🍄 Can psychedelics help treat gambling addiction? Dr Rayyan Zafar on BBC Morning Live explains why psilocybin could be the next frontier in treatment. More 👉 www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Today is #WorldAlzheimersDay. From many publications and researchers, including colleagues in Imperial's Department of Brain Sciences, we chose five ideas to begin with. Each may add something new to how we see #Alzheimer's.
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Imperial Medicine @imperialmed.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"I’m absolutely delighted to see Imperial College London ranked first in the UK for Medicine by @theguardian.com. It’s a fantastic recognition of the commitment and energy of our students and staff." - Prof Amir Sam, Head of ICSM. www.theguardian.com/education/ng...
Screenshot showing Imperial College School of Medicine topping the Guardian's 'best universities for medicine' league table.
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
👏 Congratulations to four Brain Sciences academic colleagues – Prof @tonygoldstone.bsky.social, Dr Nathan Skene, Dr Yen Tai, and Prof Alastair Webb – who feature among 146 promotions in academic and teaching roles across Imperial this year. More 👉 blogs.imperial.ac.uk/senior-appoi...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🧠 September marks the start of World Alzheimer's Month. Dr Alexi Nott is part of Team EMERALD, just awarded £1.5m to study brain cells from the world's largest group of healthy centenarians, in search of what protects the ageing brain. 👉 Learn more: www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
📚 A new trial has tested Open Dialogue, a Finnish approach to mental health crisis care that brings a patient's family and friends into treatment decisions alongside clinicians. Speaking to BBC News, Dr Sameer Jauhar said the results still leave an open question: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Treatment involving patient's family cuts mental health hospital admissions, study finds
The approach focuses on the patient priorities, seeing the same clinicians, and involving people close to them.
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
🧠 Did you know Imperial is home to the Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Tissue Bank? It's a national collection of central nervous system tissue, donated by individuals with MS, Parkinson's, and related neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions. More: www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/mul...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
🧠 Can our sleep reveal clues to brain health and longevity? Dr Abidemi Otaiku studies brainwaves and dreams, and what they reveal about ageing and dementia risk. 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
Could our sleep reveal clues to brain health and longevity?
“My research suggests that certain types of brainwaves and dreams may reflect or influence the health of our brains, the speed at which our bod...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
📮 New letter in the British Journal of Psychiatry on the evolving evidence for amyloid clearance therapies in Alzheimer's. A timely discussion as these treatments move closer to routine clinical practice. 👉 www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
🧠 The Department of Brain Sciences has landed on LinkedIn! Follow us for the latest updates, research news, events and more from our community 👇 www.linkedin.com/company/dobs... @imperialmed.bsky.social @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
🧠 A new study from Imperial College London provides the first detailed picture of how the brain's electrical activity responds to whole-body motion. More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Brain study reveals hidden clues to a condition that masks dizziness and increases fall risk
A new study from Imperial College London provides the first detailed picture of how the brain's electrical activity responds to whole-body motion.&nb...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
"Psilocybin seems to loosen up stereotyped patterns of brain activity", Dr Taylor Lyons, first author of the new Imperial College London and UCSF study, told Science Daily. 🧠 More: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202... @imperialmed.bsky.social
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
What if your childhood #vaccines were secretly training your body to fight cancer too? 🧠 New research from our Department shows how that hidden immunity could be redirected to attack tumours. More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Your childhood vaccines could help fight tumours in future, early research suggests
Researchers introduced a strategy that redirects the immunity people already have from routine vaccines to attack cancer instead.
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Dr Bina Ram ran peer-led workshops in NW London to explore the low uptake of NHS mental health apps. ✏️ Key findings show that schools aren't promoting these apps, parents rarely talk about mental health at home, and young people prefer human connection. 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
What if your childhood #vaccines were secretly training your body to fight cancer too? 🧠 New research from our Department shows how that hidden immunity could be redirected to attack tumours. More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Your childhood vaccines could help fight tumours in future, early research suggests
Researchers introduced a strategy that redirects the immunity people already have from routine vaccines to attack cancer instead.
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
profdavidnutt.bsky.social @profdavidnutt.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
mindmedicineaustralia.org.au/events/ sign up to ask me anything re psychedelics
mindmedicineaustralia.org.au
Mind Medicine Australia - Upcoming Events
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
🧠 What can centenarians' brains teach us about resisting dementia? Team EMERALD, including our own Dr Alexi Nott, has won £1.5m from the Dementia Frontiers Fund to find out. 👉 Read more: www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialmed.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Congratulations to Dr Abidemi Otaiku, named one of 8 touchNEUROLOGY Future Leaders 2026 for his research on sleep, dreaming and brain health 🧠💤 👉 In this interview, he shares why sleep and dreaming could be key to earlier detection of neurodegenerative disease: touchneurology.com/insight/flb-...
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Dr Dexter Penn @dexpenn.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Join me today at poster Wednesday-0364 where I will share my latest results on non-linear relationships between heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, and vascular dementia risk. #AAIC26 @ukbiobank.ac.uk @alzheimersresearchuk.org @imperialbrains.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
🧠 Two passive sensors could help track movement changes in people affected by Parkinson’s, according to a new study. These devices could be used to track things like disease progression over time and response to treatment More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialmed.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
⚽ Former professional footballers may experience changes in brain health by midlife, according to new research. More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... #football @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Retired professional footballers had changes in brain structure and more mental health symptoms
Former professional footballers may experience changes in brain health by midlife, according to new research
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
A small pilot study from the Centre for Psychedelic Research at @imperialmed.bsky.social indicates that psilocybin – the active ingredient in psychedelic ‘magic mushrooms’ – may have potential as a treatment for anorexia nervosa, when combined with therapy. More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
Psilocybin therapy shows potential as a treatment for anorexia nervosa in small trial
A small pilot study from the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London indicates that psilocybin – the active ingredient in ps...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
🍄 An NHS-linked trial is exploring whether psilocybin could help people with treatment-resistant depression, working alongside therapists and nurses. Prof David Nutt, who led related research at @imperialmed.bsky.social believes the findings are encouraging. 👉 www.ft.com/content/0a2d...
ft.com
Inside the NHS hospital trialling psychedelics to treat depression
Researchers hope psilocybin compounds could eventually become part of mainstream care
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
🧬🔬 Scientists at Imperial College London engineered a virus to hunt cancer, explains Professor Amin Hajitou. It targets proteins found mainly on tumour cells and carries a malaria-linked signal that triggers the immune system to attack. More 👉 www.newscientist.com/article/2531...
newscientist.com
Phages could enable us to hijack vaccine immunity to kill cancer cells
Phages, viruses that infect bacteria, could be genetically manipulated to destroy cancerous cells using the immunity we have acquired from vaccines
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Imperial College London @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
There’s only one week left to complete our alumni survey. Share your voice and shape Imperial’s future. You can choose to be entered into a prize draw and win a hamper of exclusive Imperial products. It only takes 15 minutes to complete! ⤵️ bit.ly/imperial-alumni-survey-2026-…
Pictures of alumni. Text reads: Imperial shaped your future, now you can help to shape ours. Take the Imperial survey by 26 June.
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
HIE is a brain injury caused by a shortage of oxygen and blood flow around the time of birth. The COMET trial – one of the world's largest neonatal neuroprotection studies, led by @imperialmed.bsky.social – has just recruited its 100th newborn baby! 🎉 More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
International effort to improve care for newborns with brain injury recruits 100th baby
The Cooling in Mild Encephalopathy Trial (COMET) study has reached a major milestone with the recruitment of its 100th newborn baby, marking an impor...
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Imperial College London @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
First in the UK, second in the world! We’ve retained our QS World University Ranking for the third year in a row! 🎉 This success is thanks to every single member of Imperial’s community, as we work together to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Imperial 
For the 3rd year running
2nd in the world
1st in the UK and Europe
QS World University Rankings 2027
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Eddy Rhodes @eddycurrents.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Really exciting work by a bunch of our PhDs and post-docs! TI stimulation within the theta-band increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Huge implications for neurodegeneration and a whole new perspective on brain stimulation. Full paper here: advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Temporal Interference Stimulation Enhances Neural Regeneration
Temporal interference (TI) stimulation is proposed as a non-invasive approach to enhance neural regeneration in the deep brain. Theta-band TI modulation selectively promotes neural progenitor cell di...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
🧠 Imperial researchers published the first evidence that stimulating the hippocampus – the brain's memory centre – using non-invasive temporal interference (TI) stimulation helps it grow new neurons. Learn more 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Brain regeneration without drugs or surgery: A new approach for neurodegenerative diseases
Imperial researchers published the first evidence that stimulating the hippocampus – the brain's memory centre – using non-invasive tempo...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
❗We're hiring ❗ Are you an experienced professional ready to take on a diverse leadership role as a Clinical Imaging Facility Manager? This is a varied role combining team management, technical expertise and partnership development. More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Janis Lisa Transfeld @jaenice.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Finally graduated! 🎓 So proud to have completed my PhD at @ukdri.ac.uk @imperialbrains.bsky.social Huge thanks to my supervisor Alexi and the Nott lab for their guidance and support ✨ And so grateful to have shared this journey with my friend @kevincziegler.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Dr Stuti Pant is a social scientist by training whose work in neonatal #neuroscience explores how families experience care during their most vulnerable moments. Read the full Q&A 👉 blogs.imperial.ac.uk/dobs-staff/2... @imperialmed.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
The first drugs that clear amyloid – a harmful protein found in the Alzheimer's brain – are approved in several countries, yet decline often continues. 🧠 In a new BMJ review, Professor P. Edison, J. Nowell, H. Crook and colleagues argue for combination treatments: www.bmj.com/content/393/...
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
A whole systems approach is required across society – not just the #NHS," said Dr Sameer Jauhar, responding to the debate around the government's interim review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. More 👉 www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/20... @imperialmed.bsky.social
newstatesman.com
Proof of need: When care becomes conditional
Is access to vital services now too dependent on a diagnosis?
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
🏳️‍🌈 Join us for a White City and Hammersmith #PRIDE Picnic at the White City Campus. This relaxed, inclusive gathering is a chance to celebrate Pride Month, connect with colleagues, and show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/events/21022... @imperialmed.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Dr Marco Brancaccio (@mbra3.bsky.social) has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms. SRBR is a leading international scientific society dedicated to research on biological rhythms. More 👉 srbr.org/about-us/boa... @imperialmed.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
🧠 A new study found that #ultrasound can non-invasively reduce #brain inflammation by modulating microglial activity. More 👉https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/articles/medicine/brain-sciences/2026/ultrasound-offers-a-non-invasive-new-hope-for-tackling-brain-inflammation/ @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Ultrasound offers a non-invasive new hope for tackling brain inflammation
Neuroinflammation contributes to the progression of several neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, affecting millions o...
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Academy of Medical Sciences @acmedsci.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Congratulations to the 60 exceptional biomedical and health scientists elected to the Academy Fellowship today in recognition of their outstanding contributions to advancing medical science! 🎉 Meet our new Fellows: bit.ly/3Rb82JT
Text that reads "Congratulations to our 2026 Academy Fellows" within a fireworks graphic
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Congratulations to Professors Anne Lingford-Hughes and David Sharp, among the seven Imperial researchers elected Fellows of @acmedsci.bsky.social! 🎉🎊 #healthcare
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
🧠 @imperialmed.bsky.social researchers have developed a new live imaging platform to study how the brain's internal clock works at the cellular level. 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @mbra3.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
New live-imaging platform reveals how the brain keeps time
Imperial researchers have developed a new live imaging platform to study how the brain's internal clock works at the cellular level.
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Imperial Medicine @imperialmed.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
What if #dementia risk is shaped in part by the cells lining our brain’s blood vessels? Researchers from @imperialbrains.bsky.social uncovered new insights into the #biology behind dementia – helping deepen understanding of how it develops 🧠 #DementiaActionWeek www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article...
imperial.ac.uk
New study reveals how blood vessel cells shape dementia risk
New study reveals how blood vessel cells shape dementia risk
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
🖥️ 📱 Not all screen time is equal, and not all young people are equally at risk. Professor Dasha Nicholls shares what the research actually tells us about social media and young people's #MentalHealth. More 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... #MentalHealthAwarnessWeek @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Social media, technology, and young people’s mental health – a conversation with Professor Dasha Nicholls
As governments across the world race to regulate social media and protect young users, the debate has moved from boardrooms to courtrooms.
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
🧠🫀 A new study by Dr Dexter Penn and Professor Alastair Webb suggests that both very low and very high resting heart rates are linked with an increased risk of stroke. 👉 More: www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialmed.bsky.social
imperial.ac.uk
Avoiding the extremes: New research reveals how heart rate shapes stroke risk
Both very low and very high heart rates are significantly associated with stroke risk, a novel study finds.
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Scientists have long sought to understand how #psychedelics affect the brain, including researchers from our own department, whose work is helping unlock their potential to treat mental health disorders. 🧠 Learn more: www.theguardian.com/science/2026... @imperialmed.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Single dose of magic mushroom psychedelic can cause anatomical brain changes, study finds
Participants took 25mg of psilocybin, reporting deeper psychological insight and better wellbeing a month later
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Reposted by Department of Brain Sciences
Dr Jo Jackson @jojacksonhere.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Pleasure to collaborate with Jo Anne Stratton @theneuro.bsky.social funded by @hbhlmcgill.bsky.social and @ukdri.ac.uk. We show that post mortem processing conditions have differential effects on the brain's transcriptome. And temperature may play more of a role in good quality brain tissue.
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
🧠 Temperature may matter more than time when it comes to preserving brain tissue after death – new research from @imperialmed.bsky.social could change how #brain banks work. 👉 www.imperial.ac.uk/news/article... @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @mcgill.ca @theneuro.bsky.social @ukdri.ac.uk
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
🧠 Meet Rory Smith, Brain Bank Engagement Manager, who is running the 2026 London Marathon on Sunday dressed as a brain to raise funds for the @mssocietyuk.bsky.social Tissue Bank. ✅ Contribute 👉 www.justgiving.com/page/brain-r... ✅ More about Rory's role 👉 bit.ly/4vlljyZ @imperialmed.bsky.social
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Department of Brain Sciences @imperialbrains.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
🧠 In profile: Marcelina Wojewska, a PhD Student at the Department of Brain Sciences @imperialmed.bsky.social, talks about her research, what it takes to study the human brain, and why curiosity drives great science 👇 blogs.imperial.ac.uk/dobs-staff/2...
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