Steven A Chance DPhil FLS

Neuroanatomy & Cognition Group
Our projects study cognitive/psychiatric disorders and comparative evolutionary neuroscience. We are interested in the relationship between brain structure and function - particularly language and social cognition
Email
Tel 01865 234934
Fax 01865 231157
Contact address Neuroanatomy & Cognition Group, Neuropathology, Level 1, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU

Research summary

Our studies of disease examine the neuroanatomy of Autism, Schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease using post-mortem human brain material in the Neuropathology department in Oxford. These projects focus on columnar structure, lateralisation and persistent adult cortical plasticity. This work has recently provided evidence of changes in normal human ageing and measures sensitive to the early signs of dementia that correlate with IQ. In schizophrenia we have evidence for alteration of the typical ageing process. Current work on autism is looking at brain areas related to social cognition and the basic senses of hearing and smell. We are also investigating novel methods to assess similar microanatomy in MRI scans.

We are involved in work comparing brain structure and function in chimpanzees and humans, particularly in the face processing region of the brain.

Indications are that the maturation rate and hemispheric asymmetry of micro-circuits in the cerebral cortex are different between chimpanzees and humans. Our neuropsychology work compares semantic organisation and face processing in adolescence and ageing.

Sources of Funding

Biography

Current Teaching

Tutor in Human Sciences: course lecturer for third year option: 'Cognition and Culture'.
Project supervision. Supervision of undergraduate projects for medical students, external visitors and internships, and DPhil students.

Other Affiliations

Member of the Human Sciences Institute, University of Oxford
Member of the 21st Century School and Oxford Stem Cell Institute, Oxford
Associate member of University Dept Psychiatry, Warneford Hosp., Oxford

Society Memberships

Fellow of Linnean Society of Great Britain
Member of Cognitive Science Society
Member of British Neuroscience Association
Editorial Positions

Editorial board, Frontiers in Evolutionary Neuroscience

Awards Training and Qualifications

  • BSc  University College London 1993- 1996
  • DPhil  Queen's College, University of Oxford 1997- 2001
  • Young Scientist Award  Schizophrenia Research Committee 2006
  • Alzheimer's research Fellowship  Alzheimer's Scotland 2006- 2009

Collaborators