The Bristol Institute of Clinical Neurosciences
Aims of the Institute
- bring together research and medical facilities and people in the clinical neuroscience specialties
- improve current facilities and develop new initiatives
- develop closer links with basic science departments of the University of Bristol
- expand and enhance clinical neurosciences research
- enhance postgraduate teaching and training
International recognition for clinical neuroscience at Bristol is grounded on the major role Bristol has played in the history of specialist care for brain disorders. More recently, the excellence of Neurosurgery at Frenchay Hospital has gained worldwide attention, alongside outstanding research in areas such as multiple sclerosis and dementia.
In late 1999, the Institute of Clinical Neurosciences was established as a recognised University Institute to bring together the different clinical neuroscience groups and further consolidate Bristol's strong reputation. This groundbreaking development represents joint investment by the University of Bristol, the (then) Frenchay NHS Trust, and the Burden Neurological Institute.
In addition, reflecting the serious commitment on the part of all three organisations to clinical neurosciences in North Bristol, a further four major projects came to fruition:
- The Burden Chair in Clinical Neurosciences, made possible by a generous financial contribution from the Burden Trust, in collaboration with the University of Bristol (awarded to current holder, Professor Neil Scolding)
- Appointment of a new Consultant Senior Lectureship in Neurology from North Bristol NHS Trust
- Purpose-built Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU)
- The new Burden Centre, housing both the Burden Neurological Hospital, with its departments of Neurophysiology, Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology, and the Burden Neurological Institute, led by then-director Dr Stuart Butler
The establishment of ICN has offered great opportunities for both clinical neurosciences and advances in fundamental neuroscience research.
Partnership with BN enables regular interaction between hospital-based and lab-based research. Members of ICN are actively involved in BN initiatives, with both basic scientists and clinicians attending BN events, exchanging ideas, and forming the collaborations that are key to translational research.
BN and ICN look forward to a future that is set to see even more growth and interaction between clinical and basic neuroscience.
NHS-University of Bristol groups associated with the Institute of Clinical Neurosciences
- Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU)
- BRACE Research Centre (please note: this is supported by the BRACE charity, it does not represent the charity itself)
- Burden Neurological Institute (BNI)
- Dementia Research Group
- Head Injury Therapy Unit
- Multiple Sclerosis and Stem Cell Group
- Bristol Neonatal Neurology Group
- Neurogenetics
- Neurology
- Neuropathology
- Neurophysiology
- Neuropsychiatry
- Neuropsychology
- Neuroradiology
- Functional Neurosurgery
- Otolaryngology
- Paediatric Neurology
- Speech Language Therapy Research Unit (SLTRU)