Stu Maitland- Computational Neurophysiologist

I’m a clinical academic with a split role in neurophysiology and computational neuroscience. My research focuses on the development of computational models to better understand the nervous system, particularly in relation to muscle weakness and neuromuscular disorders.

I work at the intersection of clinical practice and computational modeling, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical neuroscience and practical applications in patient care. My goal is to leverage computational tools to enhance our understanding of neuromuscular function and dysfunction, ultimately improving diagnosis and treatment strategies.

I am also involved in teaching and mentoring students in both clinical and computational neuroscience, and supervise student projects.

I’m interested in developing new diagnostic tools for complex neuromuscular disorders, and in using computational models to simulate and predict the behavior of neural systems. My work often involves collaboration with other researchers in neuroscience, engineering, and clinical medicine.

My previous work has looked at the neurophysiological reasons why we lose strength as we grow older (sarcopenia). Previously thought of as a muscle-first disease, I showed significant changes in the cortico/reticulospinal tract balance using transcranial magnetic stimulation, and developed new ways of assessing the ageing motor unit.

I’ve also developed an interest in natural language processing, large language models and their potential applications in healthcare, particularly in improving clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. I’ve shown how ChatGPT can pass the MRCP written examinations, and yet make fundamental, catastrophic errors, and discussed ethics and biases of AI in healthcare