MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit – Using cognitive theory and innovations in neuroscience to understand and improve mental wellbeing across the lifespan

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Welcome to the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit is a research centre for advancing our knowledge of human cognition, with programmes that cover childhood development, mental health, ageing and dementias, neurological and sensory disorders, and fundamental cognitive neuroscience.

As a Unit we also work together to address three Grand Challenges. First, to build models that bridge brain and mind. Second, to understand and support complex psychological and cognitive disorders. Third, to identify how people respond to adversity and how this response can be improved.

We then translate findings generated by each programme, and across our Grand Challenges, to improve health and wellbeing across the lifespan. This includes developing and enhancing psychological therapies for mood and anxiety disorders, and optimising diagnostic and rehabilitative techniques for sensory and neurological disorders.

Image of computer screen with a picture of a brain scan being shown

We investigate fundamental human cognitive processes such as attention, language, memory, and emotion through state of the art brain imaging techniques and clinical approaches to improve our understanding of the brain.

Find out more about by visiting our research page here or visit the people page to look at some of the scientists work more closely.

Child taking part in an experiment at the CBU using a touch screen device

Would you like to help our research by volunteering? Find out more here

A member of staff writing on a white board to highlight something to students

We host 20-30 graduate students at any time and applications are invited from prospective PhD students in experimental cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, computational modeling and neuroimaging using MRI, MEG, and EEG.

Information about places can be found here.

Image of on of the CBU staff presenting a talk in the lecture theatre

The CBU hosts the Chaucer Club programme of talks from leading scientists in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Find details here.

The CBU Wednesday Lunchtime seminars are open to all and have talks from scientists from in and around Cambridge talking about their current research projects. Find out more here