Diana Cash

Dr. Diana Cash is a Senior Lecturer in Preclinical Neuroimaging at King's College London, part of the Department of Neuroimaging within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Her research focuses on evaluating experimental therapies in preclinical models of neurological and psychiatric disorders using MRI and complementary techniques. She manages the BRAIN Centre, which develops translational biomarkers for neurological disorders through advanced imaging technologies like the 9.4T Bruker MR scanner. Key collaborators include Prof. Federico Turkheimer and Prof. Steve Williams.

Her work spans neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and neuropsychiatric disorders, with a focus on MRI-based biomarkers. Recent collaborations include projects on fibromyalgia diagnostics, schizophrenia pathophysiology, and Alzheimer's disease research. She leads grants from the Wellcome Trust and MRC, addressing topics like synaptic pruning and neurodegenerative pathways.

Dr. Cash's research integrates multi-modal approaches, including PET, autoradiography, and behavioral analysis. Her contributions include protocol development for functional connectivity studies in rodents and the validation of imaging biomarkers for neuroinflammatory load. Her team's work has advanced understanding of brain aging, stroke recovery, and the neurobiological underpinnings of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinsonism.

Key achievements include developing the BRAIN Centre's infrastructure, authoring over 79 publications, and contributing to international standards for neuroimaging protocols. Current projects aim to translate preclinical findings into clinical applications through interdisciplinary collaboration.