Our Brain and Mental Health research program is making a meaningful difference to thousands of Australians.

The research is critical with about half of all Australians experiencing mental ill-health at some stage in their lives. It focuses on a range of mental health areas including anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.

Our neuroscientists, geneticists, epidemiologists and clinical researchers are devoted to developing treatments, finding the causes, and working out how to prevent these conditions.

This includes investigations into innovative neuro-stimulation and psychopharmacological interventions for people with serious mental disorders. Our understanding in the areas of psychiatric genetics, neuroimaging and neuroscience will inform novel strategies for prevention, early intervention and the treatment of complex syndromes.

Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), motor neuron disease, epilepsy and dementia including Alzheimer’s disease are a growing health issue in Australia, often with limited treatment options. Our researchers are providing a broad interdisciplinary expertise in advancing understanding of this area from infancy to the elderly.

Professor Murat Yücel, Program Director 

Professor Murat Yücel is the Program Director for the Brain and Mental Health Program and Group Leader of the Cognitive Fitness Lab at QIMR Berghofer. He is an AHPRA registered Clinical Neuropsychologist and founded the BrainPark research clinic at Monash University in Melbourne.

Professor Yücel brings three decades of experience at the forefront of mental health and neuroscience research, with a particular focus on addiction and mental health. He has over 400 peer-reviewed publications and his work has been in the top 1% of most cited researchers globally, earning him the merit of Clarivate HiCi researcher.