Bodyl Brand

Biography

I am a postdoctoral researcher with an interest in psychosis and women’s mental health. I hold a cum laude PhD in Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences from the University of Groningen (NL). During my doctoral research I explored how the treatment of psychosis could be enhanced by taking into account the impact of sex and sex hormones on both the clinical presentation and the treatment of the disorder. In the coming years, I aim to gain a deeper understanding of how the hormonal changes inherent to women’s lives make them more vulnerable to psychosis, and how we can best treat this increased vulnerability, taking into account not only their mental health but also their physical well-being.

I am currently leading the IN-PULSE study, in which we investigate the impact of hormonal fluctuations during de menstrual cycle and menopause on excitation/inhibition balance markers and psychosis susceptibility using EEG.

I am also the Trial Manager of the FOCUS study, a randomised clinical trial led by Dr Rob McCutcheon. In this trial we investigate if xanomeline-trospium, a potential new treatment for psychosis, can improve symptoms and cognition in psychosis. During my PhD, I coordinated the RAPSODI study which investigated the benefits augmentation with raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), in improving symptoms and cognition in patients with a psychotic disorder. I also worked on the HAMLETT study, a clinical trial investigating the effects of early discontinuation of antipsychotic medication.

Research Interests
Psychosis, Womens Mental Health, Psychoneuroendocrinology, Cognitive Neurosciences