The 38th Annual Conference of the British Neuropsychiatry Association took place on March 13th and 14th, 2025. Despite the move to a somewhat cosier new venue, it was a pleasure to be hosted at Duchess Mews, where the atmosphere was vibrant with a sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for the upcoming events of the day. We were joined by psychiatrists, neurologists, psychologists and neuropsychiatrists alike, not to mention many other medical professionals, expert patients and virtual delegates from across the globe who all share a common interest in understanding the interaction between the brain and mind.
Over the two days a wide range of national and international speakers explored a vast range of topics relating to the overarching theme of this year’s conference: ‘Treatments’. Despite the shock of the abolishment of NHS England that very morning, experts remained well poised for insightful discussion and lively networking, accompanied, as usual, by an impressive range of poster presentations and awards.
The first session of the conference focused on Impulsivity, covering its role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and potential methods to manage this. Professor Hugh Garavan of the University of Vermont started the proceedings by reviewing the neurobiological mechanisms thought to underlie impulsivity as well as the developmental trajectories of impulsivity throughout the adolescent years and the impact on future psychopathology. His research drew on large longitudinal studies, such as the European IMAGEN project and the US ABCD study of cortical thickness in adolescents, in order to target impulsivity for treatment and prevention. Professor Stéphane Thobois from Lyon, France, then spoke about impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s disease, highlighting the central role of an abnormal sensitisation of the dopaminergic system in the pathophysiology of impulsivity and exploring the reduction of dopaminergic drugs as a therapeutic strategy, in balance with preventing the risk of dopamine withdrawal syndrome.
Following a break for refreshments, Professor James Rowe, Professor of Cognitive Neurology at Cambridge University, gave a highly engaging and dynamic talk challenging the prevailing dogma that apathy and impulsivity are attributes of hypo- and hyper-dopaminergic states respectively, and instead drew attention to the positive correlation between apathy and impulsivity among neurological and psychiatric disorders. He advocated for the novel Bayesian brain approach, in which apathy arises from actions being unnecessary rather than undesirable and suggested that further research is needed to quantify apathy and impulsivity in specific clinical populations. To conclude the session, Professor Jackie Andrade explored ways to reduce impulsivity and instead strengthen ‘willpower’ through functional imagery training, shifting attention from temptation imagery towards goal imagery.
Next, we had the Members’ platform presentations, which were presented by this year’s three Lishman prize winners. Daniel Hafeez presented a meta-analysis of the relationship between autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders and exposure to Streptococcus pyogenes, using the global federated health research network, TriNetX. The retrospective cohort study demonstrated no increase in risk of any neuropsychiatric outcomes, such as a Tic disorder or OCD, following a recent upper respiratory tract infection. Arteen Ahmed presented a multicentre observational study, CRISP, studying the clinical response of impulse behaviours to deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). The conclusions from 6-month postoperative follow up demonstrated generally positive effects of STN-DBS on the psychiatric profile of patients with Parkinson’s, except for apathy, with uncertainty as to how this may change at the 12-month follow up. Finally, Mar Matarin presented a prospective cohort study providing insight into the presence of aggression after acquired brain injury (ABI), aiming to identify clinical and demographic associated factors. The results suggested the presence of aggression was associated with specific cognitive impairments, demographic characteristics, psychiatric symptoms and longer time since injury. The study highlighted the importance of early intervention and long-term monitoring for aggression post-ABI.
After a much-anticipated lunch break, we resumed with two poster datablitz session in the afternoon, which showcased the wide spectrum of cutting-edge research work taking place.
The second session, on the subject of Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), was diverse and fascinating. We first heard from Kim Hearne, CEO and founder of ‘FND Action’, who provided a powerful personal perspective to FND as an expert patient. Whilst working to amplify patient voices, confront stigma and improve access to care, her presentation shed light on the challenges faced within the medical system, highlighting the inconsistencies in treatment pathways for FND and frequent patient dismissal. Glenn Nielsen, Senior Lecturer in Neurological Physiotherapy, at St George’s University of London, then discussed the need for a specialist physiotherapy approach for FND motor symptoms, through case studies and supporting evidence, in order to improve treatment outcomes and overall quality of life through physical rehabilitation. Building on the specialist approach to FND care, Lorna Dixon, Clinical Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, emphasised the value of speech and language therapy in the diagnostic process as well as rehabilitation services, due to the prevalence of miscommunication and dysphagia in FND cohorts. Professor Laura Goldstein, Professor Emerita of Clinical Neuropsychology, then outlined the evidence base supporting the role of neuropsychologists in neurocognitive assessment and delivering psychotherapy for individuals with FND.
After a short refreshments interval, we continued to delve into the multidisciplinary approach to functional neurological disorders, welcoming Physiotherapist, Patrick Cookson, and Lead Occupational Therapist, Alex Reuben, from the Rosa Burden Centre in Bristol, one of the few centres in the country to provide specialised elective inpatient admission for FND patients. By providing an overview of their framework model for integrated inpatient care, their specialist programme gave a glimpse into the future of FND management, demonstrating the measurable advantages of designing a holistic, multidisciplinary care plan, tailored to patients. Thomas Cox, Consultant Neurologist, and Lou Baker, Consultant Practitioner, built on improving access to FND treatment at a community level, establishing a local collaborative care model despite financial constraints and a lack of resources. This was then followed by Tim Nicholson, Honorary Consultant Neuropsychiatrist and Reader in Neuropsychiatry at IoPPN, King’s College London, who explained the necessity to measure outcomes in FND, both in clinical services and research settings, despite the associated subtle complexities of doing so. He gave insightful recommendations and highlighted the need to standardise and harmonise data collection and outcome measures in order to accelerate the development of clinical trials for evidence-based treatments.
To close the first day’s session, we were grateful to welcome Stephanie-Roxanne Blanco, Senior Lecturer, Consultant specialising in FND and Vice Chair of UK charity ‘FND Dimensions’, who delivered an inspirational call to action for FND management reform. Unifying challenges covered in the preceding talks and drawing on her professional expertise, she outlined the outdated narratives and systemic barriers to adequate FND care, as well as the tangible consequences for patients. Shifting away from paternalism within medicine towards patient-lead care, her talk, drawing on her own lived experience provided a powerful finish, as she advocated for a paradigm shift in FND service provision. The session concluded with lively debate and panel discussion surrounding the topical talks, carrying over into the evening’s entertainment at Mr Fogg’s Apothecary in Mayfair.
The conference resumed for the second day on World Sleep Day, with the morning session aptly focussing on the clinical governance of sleep disorders. Opening the session, Professor Guy Leschziner, Professor of Neurology and Sleep Medicine at IoPPN, King’s College London, showcased the complex interplay between sleep medicine and neuropsychiatric health. Discussing the misconceptions associated with sleep disorders as a common comorbidity of many neuropsychiatric conditions, his talk addressed the need for clearer recognition and management by providing a pragmatic framework. Penelope Lewis of Cardiff University then spoke about the concept and mechanics behind sleep engineering, in the form of closed-loop auditory stimulation and targeted memory reactivation to decelerate cognitive ageing and strengthen target memories, as well as the potential future application to treatments for PTSD and depression.
Invited to present for the BNPA Medal Lecture, Professor Alan Carson from the University of Edinburgh took us through a journey covering the Neuropsychiatry of Traumatic Brain Injury, initiating the second session of the day. Covering a vast range of content, his talk provided an impressive overview of common neuropsychiatric presentations in the context of traumatic brain injury and put emphasis on the need to question who the injured patient was rather than just the nature of injury in order to formulate patient assessment.
Following a break interval, we resumed the second session on Traumatic Brain Injury, hearing first from Camilla Clark, of St George’s University. Examining the complex interplay of neurological, psychiatric and psychological components in symptomatic brain injury, her presentation addressed the need to move beyond one-dimensional approaches and instead adopt a biopsychosocialecological model to improve conventional treatment strategies. Next, Annmarie Burns of University College London raised awareness of the worryingly high incidence of brain injury in the context of domestic abuse. Drawing from Brainkind’s recent “Too Many to Count” report, her talk drew attention to the long term ‘hidden’ consequences of brain injury, which arguably only perpetuate cycles of domestic abuse and therefore require further research. Offering a compelling opportunity for positive change was Dr Ellis Parry, co-founder and CEO of Neumind, a technology startup dedicated to enhancing long-term rehabilitation after sustaining neurological injuries. Inspired by his own twin brother’s story and learning from the personal challenges they experienced navigating rehabilitation, the smartphone-based prompting system is designed to compensate for cognitive impairments and promote independence and integration amongst caregivers.
After lunch and another two sets highly informative poster datablitz sessions, we introduced the final session of the conference: ‘Human Imagination and Presence’. It was a privilege to hear from Dr Jonathon Bird, winner of the BNPA Lifetime Achievement Award, who drew on his clinical and research experience over the course of his career in order to inspire the minds of the audience.
The penultimate talk was given by Professor Adam Zeman on ‘The Science of Imagination’. Exploring the rather complex subject through the main ideas of his book, he examined the neurocognitive fundamentals underlying creative imagination, including skills, detachment and spontaneity. Finally, we heard from Professor Benjamin Alderson-Day, Professor of Psychology at Durham University, who gave a fascinating overview of the sensation of ‘felt presence’. His presentation explored the science behind presence, specifically highlighting experiences encountered in neuropsychiatric conditions including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, sleep paralysis or even bereavement, as well as the occurrence of ‘phantom companions’ in survival situations.
Overall, the 2025 BNPA conference was a thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring collection of like-minded brain enthusiasts, whose research work will help shape the future of neuropsychiatric practice.
Next year’s Annual Conference will be held on the 12th and 13th of March 2026 in London.
