Research in ageing

The key focus of this research area is to address how the ageing process affects a range of cognitive and mental health functions. Staff in this area also investigate how various neuropsychological techniques can be used to both assess and improve psychological function in this age group.

Main contact: 

Dr Kaz Brandt

Associate Professor

View research profile

Current projects:

  • Exploring the contribution of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on memory familiarity enhancement using transcranial direct current stimulation (British Academy grant)
  • Investigating the beneficial mental health effects of regular jigsaw puzzling in older adults (in collaboration with AgeUK)
  • Enhancing episodic memory using the mnemonic time travel effect.
  • Developing strategies to avoid stigmatisation for elderly individuals suffering from Severe Mental Illnesses in institutions.
  • Improving the ability to provide tailored neuropsychological investigations for elderly individuals suffering from Severe Mental Illness

Staff:

Dr Kaz Brandt, Associate Professor 
 
Dr Marco Sandrini, Senior Lecturer
 
Dr Christophe Clesse, Lecturer
 

Key papers:

  • Brandt, K.R., Rota, M., & Cooper. M. (in press). The efficacy of jigsaw puzzling for mental wellbeing in older adults: A pilot study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. Link
  • Berger, N., Crossman, M., & Brandt K.R., (2018). No evidence for age-related differences in item-method directed of forgetting of emotional words. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 71 (3), 595-604. Link
  • Clesse, C., Salime, S., Dumand, I., Concetta-Ciciarelli, S.B., Lavenir, S., Kacemi, K., … & Batt M (2020) The French Integrative Psychosocial Rehabilitation Assessment for Complex Situations (FIPRACS): Modelization of an adapted assessment method toward long-term psychiatric inpatients with disabling, severe and persistent mental illness. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 540680.Link
  • Sandrini, M., Manenti, R., Sahin, H., & Cotelli, M (2020). Effects of transcranial electrical stimulation on episodic memory in physiological and pathological ageing. Ageing Research Reviews, 61, 101065. Link
  • Salime, S., Clesse, C., Jeffredo, A. & Batt, M. (2022). Process of Deinstitutionalization of Aging Individuals with Severe and Disabling Mental Disorders: A Review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 13.Link
  • Salime, S., Clesse, C. & Batt, M. (2020). Health professional’s social representation about elderly subject with mental health disorders: a pilot study on 790 health professionals. Aging and Mental Health, 25(2), 350-359.Link
  • Manenti, R., Sandrini, M., Gobbi, E., Binetti, G., & Cotelli, M. (2020). Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: a pilot study. Journal of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 75(7), 1403-1413. Link

Key grants:

  • Brandt & Sandrini (2023). Exploring the contribution of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on memory familiarity enhancement using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The British Academy. Link
  • Brandt & Cooper (2022). Cognitive intervention into mental health. University of Roehampton UKRI funds. Link
  • Clesse, Dumand & Batt (2015-2018) DEPALI Project (Deinstitutionalisation of heavily institutionalised elderly subjects). Fundings: CPER-Arianne V1 (French Nation-Region Contract, Arianne and FEDER co-funding). Link
  • Sandrini (2016-18): Targeting reconsolidation to strengthen episodic memory in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Principal investigator. European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 658496 Link
  • Salime, Clesse & Batt (2018-2020). ACETVIE Project (Accompaniment and elaboration of life project for elderly persons with Mental Health Disorder). Fundings: CPER-Arianne V2 (French Nation-Region Contract, Arianne and FEDER co-funding). Link