Our experts

Area of expertise

Prof Shergill uses neuroimaging techniques to understand more about the brain mechanisms involved in the symptoms of schizophrenia – both the ‘positive symptoms’ (unusual experiences such as hallucinations and paranoia) that are characteristic of episodes of psychosis, and the cognitive and ‘negative’ symptoms that affect memory and attention, and make it difficult for people to interact socially and sustain relationships.

He aims to use that knowledge to aid the development of new, effective treatments for the large number of people with schizophrenia who do not respond to antipsychotic medication. 20 to 45 per cent of patients experience significant ‘positive’ symptoms despite optimal antipsychotic treatment, and cognitive and ‘negative’ symptoms are largely unresponsive to conventional treatment.
 

Background

Professor Shergill studied medicine and psychology at University College London. He started his psychiatry training at University College London and completed it at the Maudsley Hospital London. He received his research training at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London and the Functional Imaging Lab at the Institute of Neurology at University College London. He has been the recipient of several competitive research fellowships and awards.

He is head of the Cognition, Schizophrenia and Imaging Laboratory (CSI Lab), housed in the Department of Psychosis Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London. His research is carried out in collaboration with the lab's junior researchers and students; with clinicians who are keen to get involved in research and use the results to inform their practice; and with affiliated colleagues based in universities around the world.

Education and Training

• 2014 onwards: professor of psychiatry and systems neuroscience/honorary consultant psychiatrist
  • IoPPN, King's College London (CSI Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies); National Psychosis Service
• 2011 to 2014: reader in psychiatry/honorary consultant psychiatrist
  • PNInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London (CSI Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies); National Psychosis Service
• 2006 to 2011: HEFCE clinical senior lecturer (promoted to reader in 2007)/honorary consultant psychiatrist
  • IoPPN, King's College London (CSI Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies); National Psychosis Service
• 2002 to 2006: Wellcome advanced clinical training fellow/ honorary consultant psychiatrist
  • Institute of Neurology, University College London (Functional Imaging Lab, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging) and IoPPN, King's College London (Division of Psychological Medicine); National Psychosis Service
• 1998 to 2002: Wellcome clinical training fellow/honorary consultant psychiatrist
  • IoPPN King's College London (Division of Psychological Medicine); SLaM (tertiary forensic psychiatry service and Voices Clinic, both at the Maudsley Hospital)
• 1992 to 98: psychiatry training, University College London and the Maudsley Hospital
• 1985 to 1991: MBBS and BSc Psychology, University College London