Lauren Atkinson

BSc(Hons), MSc, DPhil

Postdoctoral Researcher

I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Brain & Cognition Lab, with Prof Kia Nobre and Prof Paul Harrison. I am funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OHBRC).

My main project aims to explore the candidacy of L-type calcium channel (LTCC) antagonists as a potential treatment for mood instability (OxCaMS). In an experimental medicine framework, we are exploring the effect of Nicardipine SR (an LTCC antagonist) versus placebo on a range of outcome measures including mood, cognition and neural activity measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG).

In addition, I am actively involved in collaborative efforts to understand the mechanisms underlying the impact of COVID-19 on long-term mental health and neurological sequelae. My work on these projects combines MEG and fMRI investigations into brain health and relates these findings to inter-individual differences in COVID-19 severity and symptomatology.

I am a member of the Family Friendly and part-time working group at the Department of Psychiatry that aims to enhance inclusivity in career development for those with caring responsibilities or part-time working patterns (https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/about/people-culture/family-flexible-working).