Summary of previous public lectures Christmas Public Lecture Every December, Edinburgh Neuroscience hosts a public lecture. It's an opportunity to emerge from our labs, reach beyond the scientific world, and share an aspect of current research. We explore how one or more aspects of research make a meaningful difference in our understanding of brain development, disorders and effective treatments. Highlights from recent years are included below. Recordings can be found on our YouTube channel. Forthcoming lectures are announced via our events page, social media channels and public mailing list (email to join). 2025 The team received a multi-million £ award to advance their work, announced by the Medical Research Council, just days before the lecture. Read more in the related news story: Edinburgh Human Brain Cluster receives significant funding to advance research. From Scalpel to Science: using living human brain tissue to accelerate the quest to cure major neurological diseasesSpeakers:Paul Brennan, Consultant NeurosurgeonClaire Durrant, UK Dementia Research InstituteSam Booker, Simon's Institute for the Developing BrainPaul, Claire and Sam have established a world-leading centre for human brain research, bringing together over 30 researchers from 10 research groups from across the UK. Aspiring to develop improved models of human disease, they use brain tissue removed during routine surgery to conduct research which is transforming our knowledge of diseases and disorders such as Fragile X Syndrome, Alzheimer's and cancer. Their teams are redefininng biomedical methods to improve future therapies, bridging the translational gap from clinic to lab and back again! 2024 recording not available Born small and vulnerable; shining a light on the lives of people born too soon or too smallSpeakers:James Boardman, Professor of Neonatal MedicineLauren Ingledow, co-founder Adult Preemie Advocacy NetworkDrawing on both ongoing research and lived experience, James and Lauren discussed the kinds of problems that people who were born prematurely can develop - including difficulties with learning and behaviour. Understanding the causes of these problems might help us develop new treatments to help children who are born too soon or too small get the best start in life as well ensuring that approaches to their ongoing healthcare are appropriate. 2023 Changing the conversation and transforming lives of people with Motor Neuron DiseaseSpeakers:Judy Newton, MND Nurse Consultant and Deputy Director, Clinic and Nurse Manager at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic.Suvanker Pal, Professor of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Clinical Trials and Honorary Consultant Neurologist. Together, Judy and Suvanker discuss the history and treatment of MND as well as the ever-evolving innovations to assist people in their daily lives and current research directions and achievements. Previous Lectures YearSpeaker(s)Title2022Heather WhalleyAn alternative Christmas Carol: Spirits of Neuroscience and Mental Health- Past, Present and Future2020Thomas BakThe executive brain: why concepts matter2019Cathie SudlowWhat does the big data revolution mean for you? *cancelled due to strike action*2018Joanna WardlawBrain Health - a small matter of the blood vessels2017Peter KindUnderstanding Disorders of the Developing Brain in the 21st Century2016Richard MorrisMemory: why it matters and how it works2015David PorteousRethinking mental illness: broken genes that break convention2014Gareth LengDo Our Genes Still Fit? The neuroscience of appetite and obesity 2013Richard Knight & Jean MansonFolding and Unfolding: The Molecular Origami of Dementia2012Seth GrantMadness, Genius and the origin of the brain2011Peter Sandercock & Martin DennisClots in the brain, Clots in the veins (stroke)2010Barbara Webb & Sethu VijayakumarWhat can insects and robots tell us about the human brain? This article was published on 2025-09-23
