The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated the University of Liverpool’s Liverpool Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Centre (LINC), as a new WHO Collaborating Centre in Brain Health.
The appointment recognises LINC’s internationally renowned expertise in neuroscience, brain development and mental health, and builds on Liverpool researchers’ longstanding collaboration with the WHO on global brain and mental health priorities. The designation places Liverpool among a highly select group of institutions worldwide.
WHO Collaborating Centres are institutions designated by the WHO Director-General to form part of an international network that supports the organisation’s programmes at global, regional and national levels. Liverpool’s Centre will support WHO’s efforts to improve brain and mental health across the life course and strengthen capacity to prevent, diagnose and manage neurological and mental health conditions worldwide.
Neurological, neurodevelopmental and mental disorders affect more than four billion people globally, and are the second leading cause of death. Alongside this burden, mental health conditions, developmental disabilities and difficulties in early child development have major impacts on the health, wellbeing and life chances of children, families and communities worldwide.
The WHO Collaborating Centre in Brain Health will be based within LINC for 4 years, from June 2026 to June 2030 and is led by Professors Tom Solomon, Atif Rahman, Benedict Michael, and Melissa Gladstone; with two Directors at a time, initially Professors Solomon and Rahman.
Professor Tom Solomon said: “ This designation is a major milestone for the University of Liverpool. It recognises our international leadership in neuroscience and mental health and the close collaboration we have developed with the WHO across brain health, from neurological infections and neurodevelopment to mental health.”
Professor Atif Rahman commented: “As a WHO Collaborating Centre dedicated to Brain Health, we are proud to support the WHO’s mission by providing research expertise, developing guidance and helping improve brain and mental health outcomes for people around the world.”
Professor Benedict Michael said: “ The strength of this Centre lies in bringing together expertise across disciplines to address brain health as a whole. This joined-up approach will help turn research into practical improvements in care.”
Professor Melissa Gladstone added: “A child’s early development shapes their health, wellbeing and opportunities throughout life. Through this Centre, we want to help ensure that children in resource-limited settings benefit from earlier recognition and appropriate support.”
LINC draws on multidisciplinary expertise across three institutes in the University of Liverpool’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences: the Institute of Population Health; the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences; and the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences.
As a WHO Collaborating Centre in Brain Health, LINC will support WHO through three key areas of activity:
Through these activities, the Centre will support WHO’s efforts to improve brain health across the life course and strengthen capacity to prevent, diagnose and manage neurological and mental health conditions worldwide.
Theme leads are: Professor Benedict Michael/Professor Tom Solomon (Brain Health); Professor Melissa Gladstone (Neurodevelopment); Professor Atif Rahman (Mental Health).
LINC is a strategic partnership between the University of Liverpool, and NHS Foundation Trusts - The Walton Centre, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. Together with an extensive network of international collaborators, LINC is helping to position Liverpool as a global leader in neuroscience research and healthcare innovation.
The Centre was founded on the recognition that neuroscience has traditionally been divided between the study of the physical brain and the study of the mind, including thoughts, emotions and consciousness. Historically, these disciplines have often been researched separately, despite the strong connections between them.
News article
People