Search results
Showing results for
Improving Brain Scan Sensitivity in Small Vessel Disease
This study shows that a new statistical approach—hierarchical Bayesian modelling—can significantly improve how diffusion MRI data are analysed, producing more accurate and reliable maps of brain tissue structure. By reducing noise and unrealistic values, the method reveals subtle changes in brain tissue that standard techniques miss. Importantly, it can detect abnormalities in small vessel disease that were previously hidden in conventional analyses.
Small vessel disease: common, costly and too often overlooked
See this LinkedIn post about our recent study, published in BioMedCentral Neurology showing how white matter hyperintensities—a core marker of cerebral small vessel disease—are very common on routine brain MRI, increase strongly with age, and are likely under-recognised despite their clinical importance.
Headache Coding in Emergency Care: A System-Level Opportunity
Researchers at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Lancaster University found that most headache patients in Emergency Departments are recorded using very broad labels, meaning important details about their condition are often lost. This is mainly due to limitations in hospital coding systems, not clinician practice. Improving how headaches are coded could lead to better patient care, more accurate data, and more efficient NHS services.
From GP Referral to Brain Scan: Improving the Pathway for Suspected Brain Tumours
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals introduced a direct GP‑to‑MRI brain scan pathway to speed up diagnosis for patients with symptoms that might suggest brain cancer. The team presented this work as an e-poster at the Association of British Neurologists Annual Conference in Birmingham, UK, 6-8 May 2026. Reviewing almost 2,800 scans over eight years showed the pathway is safe and effective: most patients were quickly reassured with normal or non‑serious findings, serious conditions were identified earlier, and unnecessary neurology outpatient appointments were avoided. A weekly specialist review ensured the right patients were fast‑tracked to neurology or neuro‑oncology, while pilot AI tools showed promise in supporting future pathway improvements.
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA): An explanation for patients and families
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a condition that affects the small blood vessels in the brain. Over time, a protein called amyloid builds up in the vessel walls, making them more fragile. This can increase the risk of small or larger bleeds in the brain. CAA is more common as people get older. It is not caused by lifestyle, and it is not cancer or an infection. Some people have no obvious symptoms, while others may experience headaches, brief neurological symptoms, a stroke‑like event due to bleeding, or changes in thinking or memory. CAA is usually diagnosed using brain scans, especially MRI. There is currently no treatment to remove amyloid, so care focuses on reducing risks—particularly by controlling blood pressure—and managing symptoms. Treatment decisions, such as whether to use blood‑thinning medicines, are made carefully for each individual. Many people with CAA live full lives for years. Ongoing follow‑up and support help manage risks and maintain quality of life.
Cerebral small vessel disease
Cerebral small vessel disease is a common condition affecting the brain’s small blood vessels, particularly in older adults, though it is not a normal part of ageing and can occur in younger people. It often causes no symptoms and is frequently discovered incidentally on brain scans. Small vessel disease is a major cause of stroke and dementia and can lead to gradual problems with thinking, memory, balance, and walking. Finding it on a scan does not necessarily mean a person has had a stroke. Although it often prompts little follow-up, early recognition offers an opportunity to reduce future risk through managing vascular risk factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Co-creation of digital health technologies for management of functional neurological disorders (FND): a workshop
This will be a workshop to be held on 11/10/23, hosted by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). This will be funded by the University of Lincoln and N-CODE (Developing technologies that enable diagnosis and management of neurological condition in the community). The workshop will be attended by most of the active researchers in FND in UK, including Prof Jon Stone, Prof Alan Carson, Prof Richard Brown and Dr Mahinda Yogarajah, among others.
NIHR BioResource - Rare Diseases
The NIHR BioResource – Rare Diseases has been established to identify genetic causes of rare diseases, improve rates of diagnosis and to enable studies to develop and validate treatments; thus improving care for those with rare diseases and their families.