LivLancs TriNetX Neuroscience Research Group
A large international real-world data study published recently in Nature Communications found that men with epilepsy or bipolar disorder taking valproate did not show a clear increase in infertility risk, despite previous concerns from animal studies. The research used multinational healthcare datasets through TriNetX and linked clinical records.
The LivLancs TriNetX Neuroscience Research Group is a collaborative network across Liverpool and Lancashire that uses TriNetX and linked NHS healthcare datasets to support real-world neuroscience research. The group brings together clinicians, trainees, and academic partners to study neurological diseases, treatment outcomes, and healthcare delivery through practical, data-driven research projects. Key research areas include cerebral small vessel disease, epilepsy and post-stroke seizures, neuromuscular disorders, neuroinfection, neuroinflammation, neuropsychiatry, and neurosurgery. Current projects focus particularly on vascular epilepsy, late-onset epilepsy, and retrospective cohort studies using routine healthcare data. The group also supports collaborative research into neuropsychiatric conditions, brain tumours, head injuries, and long-term neurological outcomes. By using TriNetX, members can rapidly assess study feasibility, perform observational research, and develop regional and trainee-led collaborations aimed at improving neuroscience research and patient care across the region.
The LivLancs TriNetX Neuroscience Research Group is a collaborative network across Liverpool and Lancashire focused on developing neuroscience research using real-world clinical data through TriNetX and linked NHS datasets.
The group brings together clinicians, trainees, and academic partners with interests in:
- Cerebral small vessel disease
- Epilepsy, including late-onset and vascular epilepsy
- Stroke-associated seizures
- Neuromuscular disease
- Neuroinfection and neuroinflammation
- Neuropsychiatry
- Neurosurgery
The aim is to support practical, collaborative research projects using routinely collected healthcare data to improve understanding of neurological disease, treatment outcomes, and service delivery across the region.
Current Areas of Interest
Small Vessel Disease & Vascular Epilepsy
Current projects and discussions focus on the relationship between cerebral small vessel disease, white matter pathology, stroke, and late-onset epilepsy, including opportunities for retrospective cohort studies using TriNetX.
Epilepsy Research
The group supports real-world epilepsy research including:
- Late-onset epilepsy
- Reproductive health and epilepsy
- Vascular epilepsy
- Anti-seizure medication outcomes
- Post-stroke seizures
- Epilepsy epidemiology and risk prediction
Regional researchers including Gashirai Mbizvo have contributed to national and international epilepsy research programmes, including work linked to large-scale real-world data and publications in journals such as Nature Communications.
Neuromuscular & Neuroinfection Cohorts
The group is also exploring opportunities for collaborative studies involving:
- Peripheral neuropathy and neuromuscular disease
- Neuroinflammatory disorders
- Encephalitis and neuroinfection
- Long-term neurological outcomes using routine healthcare data
Neuropsychiatry
The group is also looking for collaborative opportunities with colleagues in psychiatry and neuropsychiatry on related topics, including:
- Mood disorders, personality disorders, functional neurological disease and their interactions with neurological disease
- Antipsychotic, antidepressant, and other psychotropic medication interactions with drugs used in neurological disease
Neurosurgery
We have an active interest with working with colleagues in neurosurgery to investigate topics of interest between neurology and neurosurgery, including:
- Brain tumours and epilepsy, cognitive decline, and other neurological sequelae
- Head injuries and epilepsy, cognitive decline, and other neurological sequelae
Why TriNetX?
TriNetX enables researchers to:
- Explore anonymised multicentre healthcare datasets
- Develop feasibility studies quickly
- Perform retrospective observational research
- Build collaborations across NHS organisations
- Support trainee-led and early-stage research projects
The LivLancs group aims to create a sustainable regional neuroscience research network centred on clinically relevant, data-enabled neuroscience research across Liverpool and Lancashire.