Dr Emma Vardy is speaking today at the Royal Society of Medicine’s meeting, People ‘need’ pets: exploring the psycho-social benefits of the human/animal relationship. ‘We know that animals can be beneficial when it comes to improving mental health and wellbeing. Therapy dogs, which are specially selected and trained because of their calm, placid natures, are […]
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Twins generate a great deal of excitement and curiosity, and with the increasing frequency of twin births as a result of IVF and later age of conception, amongst other factors, it is important to understand the true nature of twinship and how it affects, and is affected by, us all. In particular, we need to […]
Researchers have moved a step closer to understanding eating disorders – a move which could ultimately lead to better diagnosis and treatment of the conditions. It is estimated the NHS spends around £1.6 billion a year on eating disorders, but despite these efforts anorexia nervosa has the highest death rate of all psychiatric conditions, with […]
I am proud of having initiated Britain’s National Autism Project (NAP). This started in late 2014, reported in 2017 and has just moved into its legacy phase. Its original purpose was to map the existing research base on autism and provide authoritative recommendation on what further research was needed. A team from the London School […]
Publication of our recent research on aluminium and autism has prompted myriad questions not least of which being ‘what next?’ Before attempting an answer, it is important to re-visit the conclusions of the research, specifically a potentially causal link between aluminium in brain tissue and autism. Aluminium in brain tissue is an inevitable consequence of […]
Edinburgh University’s Patrick Wild Centre was opened in 2010 by Alfred Wild who had watched his parents care for his autistic brother and determined to help people affected by autism. Last year the University drew up plans for a combined clinical and basic science facility to investigate and assess autism, Fragile X syndrome, intellectual disabilities […]
Should we always challenge the distorted beliefs of someone with dementia or do inaccurate memories play an important role in helping them to retain key information? Researchers at the University of Birmingham suggest that distorted memories play a role in preserving knowledge for someone with dementia and that the role they play should be evaluated. […]
Alexander’s film gives an uplifting introduction to autism for young non-autistic audiences, aiming to raise awareness, understanding and tolerance in future generations. […]
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One of the most iconic sporting moments in history, Bannister had intended to retire after the 1952 Olympics, but having only come in 4th in the 1500m final, hung on for another two years to make an attempt on the holy grail of middle distance running, the four minute mile. Knowing that two other milers […]
A Tribute to Sir Roger Bannister (1929 – 2018), a towering 20th figure of sport and medicine who went down in history for running the first four-minute mile – but he placed more value on his lifetime achievements as a neurologist at St Mary’s Hospital, London. “The man who can drive himself further once the […]
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