Sahakian's research is aimed at understanding the neural basis of cognitive, emotional and behavioural dysfunction to develop more effective pharmacological and psychological treatments.
[12][13] In May 2014, Sahakian published an article on the subject of achieving brain health for a flourishing society within the next decade.
Sahakian was asked to write this article for Sir John Beddington, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government.
How decision making goes wrong and the ethics of smart drugs', published by Oxford University Press in 2013.
[27] She is also a London Imperial Affiliated Professor[28] and a Distinguished Research fellow at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics.
[9] Recently, a Royal Institution article named Barbara Sahakian amongst the top women in science.
[33] The CANTAB PAL touchscreen test, which assesses visual memory and new learning, received the highest rating of world-leading 4* grade from the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.
[39] The latter project emphasised good brain health and wellbeing throughout the life course and highlighted important concepts, such as cognitive reserve and resilience to stress.
[40] Sahakian recently presented on neuroscience and mental health policy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2014 in Davos, Switzerland.
In 2010, she received the International College of Geriatric Psychoneuropharmacology (ICGP) Senior Investigator Award.