Professor John Duncan is a world-renowned clinical neurologist whose expertise in epilepsy has profoundly shaped both neurological research and patient care internationally. He currently serves as Professor of Neurology at University College London's Queen Square Institute of Neurology and as a Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery where he has maintained a clinical practice since 1989. After obtaining his medical qualifications from Oxford University Medical School with BM BCh in 1979, MA in 1980, and DM in 1988, he established himself as a leading authority in epilepsy treatment and research. His distinguished career includes significant leadership roles such as Medical Director of the Epilepsy Society from 1998 to 2012 and Clinical Director of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery from 2012 to 2018. As an NIHR Senior Investigator, he has consistently bridged clinical practice with academic medicine throughout his eminent career.
Professor Duncan's pioneering research focuses on brain imaging techniques to demonstrate structural and functional abnormalities in various forms of epilepsy, providing critical insights that directly inform clinical decision-making worldwide. His landmark studies on the long-term outcomes of brain surgery for epilepsy demonstrated that nearly 50 percent of patients remain seizure-free following surgical intervention, fundamentally changing the risk-benefit assessment for this treatment approach. His extensive publication record includes numerous high-impact papers on epilepsy surgery outcomes, stereoelectroencephalography planning, and the relationship between brain connectivity and post-surgical results. This work has significantly advanced the understanding of when surgical intervention is most appropriate and has directly influenced clinical guidelines for epilepsy treatment across multiple continents. His research methodology integrating advanced neuroimaging with detailed clinical outcomes has established a gold standard for evidence-based approaches to neurological interventions.
Beyond his research contributions, Professor Duncan has been instrumental in shaping the future of neuroscience through visionary leadership in creating integrated research and clinical environments that accelerate discovery translation. He has championed the development of the new neuroscience center at 256 Grays Inn Road as UCLH's Clinical Lead for the IoN-DRI Programme, driven by his conviction that co-locating patients, clinicians, and researchers dramatically shortens the timeline for translating discoveries into clinical practice. His commitment to improving patient care extends to his role as a Trustee of The National Brain Appeal, where he actively supports fundraising for neurological research and facilities. Professor Duncan continues to mentor the next generation of neurologists while maintaining his clinical practice, ensuring his expertise directly benefits patients with epilepsy. His ongoing work focuses on further refining the application of neuroimaging to personalize epilepsy treatment and expand surgical options for patients who previously had limited alternatives.
