Dr Iain Campbell

Baszucki Research Fellow in Metabolic Psychiatry

Background

Dr. lain Campbell is the Baszucki Research Fellow in Metabolic Psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh. His primary research interests focus on the role of metabolic dysfunction in the brain and central nervous system and how these relate to symptoms of serious mental illness. Dr Campbell has a PhD in Global Health from the University of Edinburgh and is a principal investigator on a pilot trial of a ketogenic diet for bipolar disorder; a co-investigator on the UKRI MRC Metabolic Psychiatry Hub and a co-investigator leading lived experience workstreams on Wellcome Trust funded projects Helios-BD and Ambient-BD. Dr. Campbell has lived experience of Bipolar Disorder Type 2 which has informed his research. Most recent publication: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02431-w

Qualifications

BMus (Hons), PhD

 

Responsibilities & affiliations

  • Member of the Circadian Mental Health Network. University of Edinburgh.
  • UKRI MRC Metabolic Psychiatry Hub. Lived Experience Advisory Group Lead. www.metabolicpsychiatryhub.com
  • Wellcome Trust Helios BD. Lived Experience Advisory Group Lead. www.heliosbd.com
  • Wellcome Trust Ambient BD. Lived Experience Advisory Group Lead. www.ambientbd.com
  • Baszucki Research Prioritisation Delphi Committee.

Project activity

People living with bipolar disorder face high attempted suicide rates and poor quality of life. These are issues I have experienced first hand as a researcher living with Bipolar Disorder Type 2.  Suicide attempts in bipolar I and bipolar II disorder: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence - PMC (nih.gov) There is an urgent need to develop new treatment modalities for this condition based on better understanding of the biological basis of the illness. My work focuses on research and development of new metabolic treatments for people living with bipolar disorder, which address the inherent metabolic burden of the condition as well as the side effects of medications. Through involvement of lived experience and understanding of novel mechanisms I hope to contribute to significant improvements in quality of life for patients in my lifetime.

Current project grants

Co-Investigator UKRI MRC Metabolic Psychiatry Hub

Co-Investigator (Lived Experience Lead) Wellcome Trust Helios-BD

Co-Investigator (Lived Experience Lead) Wellcome Trust Ambient-BD

Co-Principal Investigator: A Pilot Study of a Ketogenic Diet for Bipolar Disorder

Baszucki Research Fellow in Metabolic Psychiatry

Past project grants

Co-Investigator Wellcome Trust ISSF Award

Invited speaker

 Symposium Presenter: International Society of Bipolar Disorders 2023

Speaker (forthcoming): Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress 2024

Speaker and Panelist: Swiss RE: Food for Thought Conference 2023

Speaker: NovoNordisk Foundation Science Cluster Series 2024

Speaker: International Society of Global Health Conference 2022

Speaker: Edinburgh University Neuroscience Day 2024

Speaker: Edinburgh University Mental Health Network Conference 2023

Speaker and Panelist: Keto-Live 2022 and 2023

Panelist: Global Symposium for Ketogenic Therapies

Panelist: BD-Squared Conference 2022

Exhibitor: NHS NRS Mental Health Conference 2023

In the press