Trevor Robbins is a renowned neuroscientist who has made significant contributions to our knowledge of how chemical neurotransmitter messengers influence brain function. His work has been crucial in advancing our understanding of numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, addiction and dementia.
Trevor’s studies have determined the role of dopamine as well as other neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline, serotonin and acetylcholine, in influencing reward, attention and arousal. He also determined regions of the brain responsible for planning, decision making and response control. He has determined the neuropsychological basis of impulsive and compulsive behaviour in addiction and other disorders and has shown (with Barry Everitt) how addiction might result from a transition of behavioural control from the ventral to the dorsal striatum of the brain.
Trevor has received numerous awards, including the 2011 American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions, jointly with Barry. In 2014, he shared the prestigious Brain Prize of the Grete Lundbeck Foundation. He is one of the top 100 most cited neuroscientists and has published over 700 scientific papers.
Professional position
- Director, Behavioural and Clinical Neurosciences Institute, University of Cambridge
Subject groups
- Other
Public understanding of science, History of science
- Anatomy, physiology and neurosciences
Behavioural neuroscience, Experimental psychology, Pharmacology (non-clinical)
- Health and human sciences
Clinical neuroscience, Clinical pharmacology
