An Edinburgh neuroscientist has been awarded the world's most valuable research prize for his pioneering work on the brain.

Professor Richard Morris is the joint recipient of the €1m Brain Prize, which is widely regarded as the equivalent of a Nobel prize for neuroscience.

He and his colleagues Professor Tim Bliss and Professor Graham Collingridge, based in London and Bristol respectively, were recognised for their work to understand the brain's mechanisms of learning and memory.

Awarded by the Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation in Denmark, the annual accolade recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to neuroscience.

The three experts have provided a key understanding of how memories are formed, retained and lost. Their research proves how connections in the brain can be strengthened through repeated stimulation.

It is hoped it could pave the way for further breakthroughs into conditions which affect the memory, such as dementia.

Sir Colin Blakemore, chairman of the selection committee, announced the recipients of the award on Tuesday.

He said: "Memory is at the heart of human experience. This year’s winners, through their ground-breaking research, have transformed our understanding of memory and learning, and the devastating effects of failing memory."

Mr Morris said: "I am naturally honoured to receive a share of this prize. All of us have had the good fortune to run laboratory teams, including graduate students and post-doctoral researchers.

"We acknowledge our debt to them and hope that the award of this prize recognizes the fundamental importance of their contributions."

He added: "It is inevitable that knowledge of basic mechanisms will lead to approaches for alleviating the pathologies of memory that are becoming increasingly prominent in our ageing society."

UK funding bodies such as the Medical Research Council have supported the research, which has spanned over the past three decades.

Mr Morris, Mr Bliss and Mr Collingridge will share the prize of €1m (£780,000), which will be presented to them at a ceremony in Copenhagen on July 1 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark.