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Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit
The unit has earned an international reputation for its research into the effects of nutritional interventions on behaviour. We’ve conducted numerous studies that have ranged from fundamental investigations assessing the neurocognitive effects of the most basic units of brain fuel – oxygen and glucose – through a huge portfolio of controlled trials unravelling the mechanisms, cognitive and mood effects of herbal extracts, nutraceuticals and food supplements – to a range of projects that have probed the psychopharmacology of commonly consumed everyday substances such as caffeine, alcohol and social drugs.
Since we started in 1999, under the then Director – Professor Andrew Scholey – our research focus has shifted steadily towards the neuroscience of nutrition. So, to better capture our research interests we’ve been renamed. We’re still very much here, but as part of the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre.
Facilities & Research
We’re housed in a specialist laboratory and office space that was purpose designed to allow the flexibility for conducting multiple simultaneous controlled trials of cognitive function and mood, including optional EEG and Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Our range of computerised cognitive assessment tools include our own COMPASS assessment battery, and Internet and mobile phone testing technology.
Publications
Our policy throughout has been to conduct research to the very highest standards. This can be seen in our portfolio of publications in peer-reviewed journals and books. Many of these are in the highest impact Journals in the relevant fields.
People
Our people include a number of full time research staff, PhD researchers, and technicians, and academics with a broad range of specialities in nutrition, neuroscience and exercise/metabolism. Of course, as part of a 4* psychology department, we can also call on a wealth of brain sciences expertise within the institute
Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre
School of Psychology and Sport Sciences
4th Floor, Northumberland Building
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
t: 44 (0) 191 2048818
e: bpnrc@northumbria.ac.uk
Members of
Nutrials
Medicinal Plant Research Group