Research groups
Colleges
Brooke Prakash
DPhil Student
Research
Brooke’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying lithium’s therapeutic action as a mood stabiliser for bipolar disorder. Sleep and biological 24-hour (circadian) rhythm disruptions are well documented in bipolar patients. Lithium normalises these rhythms by increasing their amplitude, period and slow wave sleep, yet the mechanisms underlying its period lengthening and slow wave sleep enhancement remain a mystery. Brooke utilises in vitro and in vivo models to examine these mechanisms. She is also interested in exploring the mechanisms by which lithium contributes to weight gain in certain patient populations.