NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre

Man given Musk's Neuralink brain chip in UK trial says it 'feels magical' and gives new hope The neurosurgeon leading the trial tells Sky News the level of control the Neuralink chip offers is "mindblowing" and will be a "game-changer".

Sebastian Gomez, a medical student @ucl.ac.uk shared his story with @skynewsrss.bsky.social, saying the technology gave him a “new piece of hope.”

Read and watch more about his story ⬇️

Seven patients now participating in Neuralink trial There are now seven patients participating in the GB-PRIME study involving Neuralink’s brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, which aims to improve independence for people who are paralysed.

🧠 There are now seven patients participating in the GB-PRIME study involving @officialneuralink.bsky.social's brain-computer interface technology.

The technology aims to improve independence for those who are paralysed.

All patients surgeries were conducted at @uclh.bsky.social.

Dr Nick McNally, Managing Director, Research UCLH/UCL, said: “UCL200 is an opportunity to recognise how collaboration between academia & NHS has transformed translational research over the last 20 years. We see this reflected in new treatments, diagnostics and spin-outs that improve patient care.”

Happy Birthday UCL 🎉

We're proud to be celebrating the strong collaboration between @ucl.ac.uk and @uclh.bsky.social, centred on our
@nihr.bsky.social BRC, that continues to accelerate the translation of research into real-world healthcare innovation.

UCLH Research Open Day 2026 - Apply now! Be part of UCLH’s Celebrating Research Open Day on 9 July 2026 - an interactive event highlighting innovation and cutting-edge healthcare advancements to hospital staff, patients and the public.

📢 The UCLH Research Open Day is back!

Be part of our interactive event, 9 July, showcasing healthcare advancements to the public.

Research teams are invited to apply for a stall to:
- Demonstrate cutting-edge research
- Encourage participation in research studies

Apply now ⬇️
Deadline: 23 March

✏️ Registration for our PPIE Workshops is now open

The training is aims to provide researchers with practical skills for meaningful patient and public involvement.

Open to researchers across the UK and internationally.

💻 Virtual, Feb-June
⬇️ Book now

www.uclhospitals.brc.nihr.ac.uk/involving-pa...

MoLo project team photo by the University College London inclusion health outreach van with the Mongolian Community Organisation hosting the project.

Team members set up in advance for point of care testing

Kit for point of care testing for HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis

Our #liver #health project ‘MoLo’ for the #Mongolian Community in #London: #education, assessment for #diabetes, metabolic liver disease #MASLD, #HIV & viral #hepatitis, & linkage to care. Huge team effort with brilliant engagement.
@who.int @crick.ac.uk @ucl.ac.uk
#HBV #HCV #LiverSky #MedSky
🧪🇲🇳

UCLH-supported research leads to new NHS treatment for high risk prostate cancer Men with high‑risk locally advanced prostate cancer in England will soon be offered the drug abiraterone on the NHS, following landmark findings from a clinical trial co-led by an oncology consultant ...

Men in England with high-risk locally advanced prostate cancer will soon be offered abiraterone on the NHS, following landmark findings co-led by UCLH oncologist Professor Gert Attard.

The STAMPEDE trial showed the treatment can halve the risk of death and slow disease progression.

🚀 Bridging the Regulatory Gap in Medical Device Research
UCL researchers & innovators: Join us on 6 Feb for expert insights, case studies & networking to accelerate your path to commercialisation.
📍 UCL BaseKX | 🔗 Register: bit.ly/4ptWtIV

Lack of support for people on weight loss drugs leaves them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, say experts People prescribed the new generation of weight loss drugs may not receive sufficient nutritional guidance to support safe and sustainable weight loss, leaving them vulnerable to nutritional deficienci...

New research from experts at @ucl.ac.uk and @universitypress.cambridge.org highlights that individuals prescribed new-generation weight loss drugs may not be getting enough nutritional guidance - increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies and muscle loss.

🎉 As we step into 2026, we’re taking a moment to celebrate a brilliant year for BRC-supported research at UCLH and UCL.

From breakthrough discoveries to real-world impact, our exceptional research teams and delivery staff have achieved so much together.

Here are just some of our 2025 highlights 👇

From all of us at the @nihr.bsky.social UCLH Biomedical Research Centre, we wish our colleagues, researchers, partners, patient/public contributors and friends a very Merry Christmas and all the best over the festive period ❄️

New drug offers 24-hour control for hard-to-treat high blood pressure A new daily pill has shown continuous, round-the-clock control of high blood pressure in people whose condition is difficult to manage, according to a global study led by Professor Bryan Williams, UCL...

A new daily pill, baxdrostat, has shown sustained 24 hour blood pressure control - including at night, when heart attack and stroke risk is highest.

The global Bax24 trial was led by Professor Bryan Williams, @ucl.ac.uk, and supported by the @nihr.bsky.social Biomedical Research Centre at UCLH.

Antidepressants improve core depressive symptoms early on One of the most common antidepressants, sertraline, contributes to a modest improvement in core depression and anxiety symptoms, including low mood, within two weeks, finds a new analysis of a major c...

A new @ucl.ac.uk -led analysis of the PANDA trial (2019) has found that sertraline, one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, improves core emotional symptoms of depression within two weeks.

The PANDA trial was developed in collaboration with the UCLH Joint Research Office.

First participant in the UK recruited for new trial of advanced solid tumours UCLH has recruited the first participant in the UK for a study testing a new anti-cancer treatment combination for advanced solid tumours such as endometrial and ovarian cancers. This global study, ta...

Researchers at @uclh.bsky.social have recruited the first UK participant to BEHOLD-2, a global trial testing a novel anti-cancer treatment combination for advanced solid tumours including endometrial & ovarian cancer.

The trial is delivered via the @nihr.bsky.social UCLH Clinical Research Facility.

First MS patient in the UK to trial CAR T cell therapy at UCLH A UK patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the first to receive CAR T cell therapy in a BRC supported trial testing whether this personalised treatment may slow or even halt the progression of the d...

A UK first: a patient with multiple sclerosis has received CAR T-cell therapy in a trial testing whether this personalised treatment could slow or even halt disease progression.

“Our ultimate goal is to achieve long periods of remission with a single, one-time CAR T treatment.” - Dr Claire Roddie

Largest-ever Parkinson’s disease trial opens across UK The world’s largest-ever clinical trial of treatments to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease has launched, led by researchers at UCL and Newcastle University.The £26 million project is...

💊 The world’s largest-ever clinical trial to slow or stop Parkinson’s disease has launched - led by @ucl.ac.uk and @newcastleuni.bsky.social.

The £26M project will test multiple potential Parkinson’s treatments in parallel - cutting years off drug testing and transforming how we treat Parkinson’s.

Faster MRI scans offer new hope for dementia diagnosis A UCL study shows it is possible to cut the time for diagnostic MRI scans for dementia to one third of their standard length.Shorter scans would be easier and more comfortable for patients and also me...

🧠 Researchers @ucl.ac.uk have found a way to make MRI scans for dementia up to 3x faster.

Their new 'parallel imaging' approach could boost diagnosis rates by doubling daily capacity for tests, providing a future where all patients have access to technology for fast and accurate diagnosis.

YouTube video by NIHR BioResource IBHO BioResource and sickle cell

📼 Watch UCLH's new film that seeks to support members of Black communities who want to take part in health research.

The film shares stories from people involved in the @nihr.bsky.social Improving Black Health Outcomes theme, highlighting why they joined and what representation means in research.

Huntington’s Disease gene therapy shows 75 per cent slowing of disease progression A new gene therapy to treat Huntington’s disease known as AMT-130 has shown positive data from a study which is being run at UCLH and other sites.The phase I/II study demonstrates a statistically sign...

💡 A new gene therapy for Huntington’s disease, AMT-130, has shown it can significantly slow disease progression by 75% over 3 years.

The phase I/II study, led by @ucl.ac.uk researchers and taking place at @uclh.bsky.social and other sites, offers new hope for families affected by this disease.

New medications for Alzheimer’s disease comparable in effectiveness to approved drugs in cancer, MS and arthritis New medications for Alzheimer’s disease – which are not yet approved in some countries – have shown for the first time that clinical decline can be slowed with comparable effectiveness to approved med...

🧠 New analysis in @thelancet.com has shown, for the first time, that Alzheimer’s drugs lecanemab and donanemab can slow disease progression.

The anti-amyloid antibody medications allow patients to preserve functional independence.

@uclh.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk @uclbrainscience.bsky.social

Last chance to register - deadline tomorrow ⏰

Join our online workshop 'Intro to PPI & Ethical Considerations'

📅 Thursday 25 Sept, 10am-12:30pm

The workshop will cover:
- Why PPI matters in research
- Practical approaches to involvement
- Ethical principals

And well done to all shortlisted in the category:

- Prof Sanjay Sisodiya, Consultant Neurologist,
National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery

- Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Alliance for Research, STAR Research Nursing Team

- Lucy Wellings, Lead Children & Young People Research Nurse, Paediatrics

“Winning the World Class Research Award is a very proud moment for the team. It recognises the dedication, collaboration & resilience that go into delivering world-leading cancer research and the difference we make for our patients."

- Lydia Ward, Head of the CCTU

UCLH Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) team on stage collecting their trophy

🏆 Huge congratulations to the Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) at @uclh.bsky.social on winning the Contribution to World Class Research Award at the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Celebrating Excellence Awards 2025.

UK trial launches to transform Alzheimer’s diagnosis with simple blood test A major trial supported by the BRC aims to transform the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease through a simple blood test.The UCL-led trial is now welcoming its first participants who will be recruited vi...

A @ucl.ac.uk-led trial is investigating a simple blood test that could transform how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed.

The ADAPT study aims to demonstrate that measuring protein (p-tau217) levels can deliver earlier, fairer access to diagnosis & future NHS treatments.

Surgery to treat chronic sinus disease more effective than antibiotics Sinus surgery is more effective than antibiotics at treating chronic rhinosinusitis, according to a major clinical trial led by UCL along with academics at the University of East Anglia and Guy’s and ...

🔬 Major UK trial, published in @thelancet.com, finds sinus surgery is more effective than antibiotics for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

The trial was led by @ucl.ac.uk alongside academics from @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Promising new drug for people with stubborn high blood pressure A new treatment has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure in people whose levels stays dangerously high, despite taking several existing medicines, according to the results of a Phase III c...

💊 A once-daily tablet, baxdrostat, has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure in patients whose blood pressure remains high despite taking several existing medicines.

Results are from the global BaxHTN trial, led by @ucl.ac.uk's Professor Bryan Williams.

Surgery to treat chronic sinus disease more effective than antibiotics Sinus surgery is more effective than antibiotics at treating chronic rhinosinusitis, according to a major clinical trial led by UCL along with academics at the University of East Anglia and Guy’s and ...

Sinus surgery is more effective than antibiotics at treating chronic rhinosinusitis, finds a major clinical trial led by @uclbrainscience.bsky.social @uclhresearch.bsky.social with academics at @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social and Guy’s and St Thomas’ in @thelancet.com, with @nihr.bsky.social funding

📃 Check out page 29 of the NIHR 2024/25 Annual Report for a feature on new cancer immunotherapy trials at @uclh.bsky.social - supported by our Biomedical Research Centre & Clinical Research Facility.

www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/who...