Mark Edwards

Research Interests

I am interested in the interface between neurology and psychiatry, in particular the mechanisms and management of psychiatric problems in those with neurological diseases, particularly movement disorders, and the mechanisms and management of functional neurological and somatic symptoms – amongst the most disabling and common problems that people seek help from neurologists about . I a m interested in a systems-level understanding of phenotypic phenomena (such as specific types of abnormal movement) and how this knowledge can be leveraged in treatment development for example via targeted neuromodulation or rehabilitation. I am additionally interested in how to implement successful care pathways for people with complex needs that span neurology and psychiatry

Most significant discovery

Application and testing of active inference theories to explain the pathophysiology of functional neurological and somatic symptoms. Development with YZ Huang and John Rothwell of the Theta Burst technique for repetitive TMS

Educational Interests

• Interface between neurology and psychiatry
• Movement disorders and motor control
• Translation of research findings into clinical
practice and pathways
• Interdisciplinary research and clinical practice

Top 4 Publications

Edwards et al. A Bayesian account of ‘hysteria’. Brain. 2012. Sadnicka A et al.

Reduced drift rate: a biomarker of impaired information processing in functional movement disorders. Brain. 2020. Nielsen G et al.

Randomised feasibility study of physiotherapy for patients with functional motor symptoms. J Neurol Neuros 2007

Huang YZ et al. Theta burst stimulation of the human motor cortex. Neuron. 2005

Methods / Expertise

• Electrophysiology (TMS)
• Psychophysics
• Development and Clinical Trials of Complex Interventions