Professor Stephen Jackson
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology
stephen.jackson@nottingham.ac.uk
Stephen’s research focuses on using multimodal brain imaging and brain stimulation techniques to investigate human sensorimotor function in health and disorder. He uses MR imaging, MR spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography and non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate the pathophysiology of common brain health conditions, with a particular focus on movement disorders.
His recent research interests have centred on understanding the neural basis for tic disorders, and in developing novel therapeutic approaches for movement disorders such as Tourette syndrome and Parkinson’s disease, based on the use of wearable technology for delivering non-invasive brain stimulation.
Stephen is a Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Neurotherapeutics Ltd, a University of Nottingham spin out, Neurotherapeutics Ltd, to develop and translate a wearable Neupulse medical device for treatment of movement disorders which was recommended by NICE in 2024 for use by NHS patients in the UK. The research underpinning Neupulse was awarded the Times Higher Education’s STEM project of the year in 2023.
Stephen’s research is funded by the following: the UK Medical Research Council (MRC); the UK Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC); the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR); Tourettes Association of America (TAA); and Tourettes Action UK (TA), and Parkinson’s UK.
N3Centre Research Interests
Understanding neural mechanisms
Current projects
Jackson SR. Daniel Katz Ltd Donation. Tourette syndrome research fund. 2024-2031. £500,000.
Jackson SR et al. 2024 – 2026. Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of median nerve electrical stimulation for Parkinson's disease tremor. Parkinson’s UK £141,780.43
Dyke K et al., 2024 – 2026. International tic partnership for the advancement and alignment of neurophysiological research. MRC. £133.138.
Jackson SR. 2023-2025. Investigating the efficacy and potential therapeutic benefits of rhythmic peripheral nerve stimulation for mental health conditions that are highly co-occurring with Tourette syndrome. MRC. £173,873.
Jackson SR. 2024-2025. Developing a personalised closed-loop neuromodulation device based on tACS entrainment coupled with peripheral nerve stimulation. EPSRC. £131,727
Marcus Kaiser, Cyril Atkinson- Clement, Jeyoung Jung Mohammad Katshu, Stamatios Sotiropoulos, Stephen Jackson, Annabel Walsh. 3/2025 – 2/2030. Closed-loop non-invasive stimulation for improving brain and mental health. MRC. £2,189,367.
Key Publications
- Mairi S. Houlgreave, Barbara Morera Maiquez, Matthew J. Brookes, Stephen R. Jackson (2022). The Oscillatory Effects of Rhythmic Median Nerve Stimulation. Neuroimage
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Maiquez BM, Smith C, Dyke K, et al. A double-blind, sham-controlled, trial of home-administered rhythmic 10-Hz median nerve stimulation for the reduction of tics, and suppression of the urge-to-tic, in individuals with Tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder. J Neuropsychol. 2023;17(3):540-563. doi:10.1111/jnp.12313.
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Mairi S. Houlgreave, Katherine Dyke, Adam Berrington, Stephen R. Jackson(2024). Investigating neurometabolite changes in response to median nerve stimulation. Brain and Behavior, 2025; 15:e70250 https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70250
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Mairi S. Houlgreave, Eneko Uruñuela, César Caballero-Gaudes, Penny Gowland, Katherine Dyke, Valerie Brandt, Imaan Mohammed, Rosa Sanchez Panchuelo, Stephen Jackson. (in press). Uncovering the Neural Correlates of the Urge-to-Blink: A Study Utilising Subjective Urge Ratings and Paradigm Free Mapping.Imaging Neuroscience.
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