Dr Prasanna de Silva

I am a duel trained adult and old age psychiatrist, have worked part time in Sunderland since 2014 as a dementia specialist. Currently (since 10/21) on a 1-year secondment to North Cumbria in Care Home Liaison (72 care homes) utilising full remote working. In addition, I work for University of Sunderland as an Honorary Senior Lecturer (Faculty of Health Sciences) focusing on dementia awareness and remote working practices. I also volunteer for the Bangladesh International Centre and the Carers Centre (Age UK) in Sunderland.

After basic medical training in Aberdeen (1984), I trained in psychiatry at the Royal Cornhill Hospital including research in brain imaging in dementia. Thereafter I completed my specialist training in York, which included experience in Neurology, Geriatrics and Hospice work. Thereafter I moved to Hull as Senior Lecturer (Adult Psychiatry and Rehabilitation) in 1996, before moving to my substantive post in Whitby as Adult and Old age primary care liaison psychiatrist for the next 15 years from 1998, which included 8 years as College Tutor.

I have completed a 2-year part time secondment as a Specialist Advisor for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) involving 23 full inspections of mental health trusts across England. I have recently provided an eCPD module for our college on options for remote working post Covid19. My primary academic interest is in Neuroinflammation; how immune processes affect psychiatric syndromes such as psychosis, depression, dementia, and delirium. I have been a Cochrane Collaborator. On life outside medicine, I play ‘cello for Sunderland Symphony Orchestra and enjoy touring the highlands in my MX5.

Recent publications (42 peer reviewed publications overall)

1. De Silva, P.N. Triage portals in to A&E departments. Emergency Medical Journal, 2020 (e letter) https://emj.bmj.com/content/37/8/458
2. De Silva, P.N. variations in secondary health resource utilisation post Clozapine initiation. OBM Neurobiology. 2020; Vol 4(4) doi:10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2004078
3. De Silva, P.N. Do patterns of synaptic pruning underlie psychosis, autism, and AHD? BJPsych Advances of Psychiatric Treatment. 2018; Vol 24: 212 – 217
4. De Silva, P.N. Can repurposed Polyvalent vaccine boosters (like BCG) limit dementia progression by modifying microglial activation? Neurology and Neurobiology. 2020; ISSN 2013-7828
5. De Silva, P.N. does sugar and sweeteners provide a gateway to alcohol addiction? Review of neuroscience, morbidity, and therapy. MOJ addiction and Therapy. 2019; Vol 6(1): 1-4
6. De Silva, P.N. Neurobiological and epigenetic perspectives on hedonism, altruism, and conscience. BJPsych Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. doi: 10.1192/bja.2022.16
7. De Silva, P.N. options for remote working post Covid19 eCPD Module for RCPsych Feb 2022