Dementia Researcher

This is episode 100! We started the podcast in February 2018, and today we’re celebrating! Regular hosts Adam Smith & Megan O’Hare have a short informal chat about the show. Sharing a few insights, and thanking you all for making the show such a great success. With over 370 contributors and almost 50,000 plays, this unique podcast brings together early career researchers to talk about their work and careers topics which are important to them, and hopefully to everyone listening. _____________________________________________________________________ To celebrate we’re holding another prize-giveaway. To be in with a chance to win a Sonos One SL Smart Speaker: 1. Register as a user on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk 2. Tweet us using the #ECRDementia and tell us why you enjoy the show We will draw the winners name from the hat on the 30th November. _____________________________________________________________________ You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website:

In this bonus episode, Dr Anna Volkmer talks with four people who are heading up a new Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART PIA to Elevate Early Career Researchers (PEERS). Adam Smith, from University College London, changes chairs from host of the show to panellist, as Chair of the new PIA. Alongside Adam we have his co-applicants and Executive Committee Members - Dr Beth Shaaban, Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Pittsburgh (PIA Vice Chair), Dr James Quinn, Research Fellow from Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Neurology (PIA Programs Chair) and Dr Naiara Demnitz, Postdoctoral researcher at the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance (PIA Communications Chair). This new PIA aims to: • Encourage young people and undergraduates to consider a career in dementia research, and act to inspire and support them to remain in the field. Working to challenge funders and institutions to deliver improvements and improve ECR careers. • Establish and maintain a supportive ECR network to share ideas and

In this podcast Hannah Churchill, Research Communications Officer for Alzheimer’s Society takes the chair to talk with three Alzheimer’s Society funded researchers to discuss how they adapted in response to the pandemic. People with dementia have been worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic – with over a quarter of people who died of COVID-19 between March and June 2020 having had dementia. Many dementia researchers have refocussed their work to study how the virus has impacted people living with dementia and their carers, to discover the likely long-term effects and to understand how care and support can be better provided in the future – ensuring lessons are learnt. Basic scientists turned their attention to COVID-19 testing, or took the time to learn new coding skills, write papers and to play the next stages of the research. While clinical researchers mostly returned to be entirely focussed on front line care within the NHS. The show is pleased to welcome: Dr Nuriye Kupeli, Senior Research Fellow from Univ

Founded by Formula 1 racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart, Race Against Dementia is a global charity, founded by Sir Jackie Stewart, to fund pioneering research into the prevention and cure of dementia. Adam Smith is in the driving seat, talking with Race Against Dementia CEO, Dr Penny Moyle, and Race Against Dementia Research Fellow, Dr Claire Durrant from The University of Edinburgh. In this week’s show we learn about the charity, its mission, the unique Fellowship programme and provide advise for anyone thinking of applying for the current funding call (deadline 20th January 2021). The Race Against Dementia Fellowship Programme draws from the most promising scientific talent around the world; to catalyse their research work by driving a shift in culture that learns from innovation in high technology engineering research and implementation, such as in Formula 1; and to drive collaboration across disciplines and institutions to help fast-track their progress to become leaders in the field. You can find out

Dr Megan O’Hare interviews Professor Bart De Strooper and Professor David Llewellyn, discussing the new UK Dementia Research Institute and DEMON Network partnership to unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Professor Bart De Strooper is National Director and Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute and Group Leader in his own research he looks at the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Professor David Llewellyn is the DEMON Network Director and an Associate Professor at the University of Exeter Medical School and a Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute. His research aims to enhance the timely detection of dementia, with a focus on developing strategies for primary and secondary prevention using machine learning. The Deep Dementia Phenotyping (DEMON) Network brings together academics, clinicians and other partners from across the world, and now it has joined forced with the UK Dementia Research Institute. The aim of t

This week Dr Anna Volkmer hosts a discussion with three researchers who use Gait Analysis as a key element of their research. We are pleased to welcome Dr Riona McArdle, Research Associate at Newcastle University; Dr Keir Yong, Senior Research Fellow at University College London and Dr Silvia Del Din, Senior Research Associate at Newcastle University Gait is a person’s pattern of walking. Walking involves balance and coordination of muscles so that the body is propelled forward in a rhythm. There are numerous possibilities that may cause an abnormal gait, many of which are neurological, which is why Gait and Dementia are considered in research. You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. A transcript of this podcast is also available here https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-gate-and-dementia Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. _____

Over the next 12 months, NIHR Dementia Researcher is following Morgan Daniel as she studies for her Dementia MSc at University College London. Morgan will be blogging, podcasting and occasionally taking over our twitter feed to share news from her studies and life, documenting the hi's and lows', with tips for others who are considering post-graduate studies.  In this podcast Adam Smith chats to Morgan, discussing about her background, the move the London, what motivates her, and what her first few weeks at UCL have been like. _____________________________________________________________________ In 2017 there were approximately 26,300 cancer researchers in the UK, compared to 6,100 working in dementia (link to statistics from Alzheimer's Research UK website) - further funding is required, but also the people to make use of funding. One of the core aims of NIHR Dementia Researcher is to inspire people to consider working in dementia research, we hope that through this partnership, we can support others to k

Music is powerful! Whether it's 60s psychedelic rock, soul, opera, classical or songs from West End the shows, music can be calming, uplifting and bring to conger up long-forgotten memories. For a number of years researchers have been exploring the the power of music and singing and how it can help people living with dementia. This week Megan O'Hare is joined by three special guests who are researching and exploring ways to help people through music. Grace Meadows, musician, music therapist, and Programme Director for the Music for Dementia 2020 campaign. Dr Robyn Dowlen, Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Centre for Cultural Value, University of Leeds. Robyn is working to understand the difference arts and culture make to people’s lives and society, by making research more accessible and by supporting the cultural sector to capture and evaluate the value it produces. Emilie Brotherhood, Research Fellow / part-time PhD student at University College London. Emilie is investigating physiological respons

Detection and treatment of dementia benefits greatly from understanding the full scope of "typical" behaviour, which can increasingly be captured using big data methodology. Dr Anna Volkmer and Dr Vitor Zimmerer from the Department of Language and Cognition at University College London have a chat about the importance of understanding diversity in a population for dementia research, mostly using language and communication, which are their subjects of study, as examples. You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. A transcript of this podcast is also available here https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-what-is-normal-using-language-and-big-data-to-inform-diagnosis-of-dementia/ Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. Regular host Adam Smith is hosting a 12 hour Dementia Research Live Chatathon - 7th September, 12 hours, over 56 researchers +

Dr Megan O'Hare is joined by three researchers based at the UK Dementia Research Institute in Cardiff - Dr Sarah Carpanini, Dr Tom Phillips and Dr Megan Torvell to discuss neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration this time using mouse models to examine underlying pathophysiology during brain development and beyond. Join them to hear about physiological synapse loss that occurs during normal, healthy development of the brain contrasting to pathological synapse loss that occurs in disease states such as Alzheimer's Disease. Hear more about the role of microglia and the role of the complement cascade as well as the virtues of using mouse models in general for studying an ageing disease. You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. A transcript of this podcast is also available here https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-neuroinflammation-in-mouse-models/ Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget t

This week we are recording a daily podcast, sharing all the news and highlights from this year’s Alzheimer's Association International ‘Virtual’ Conference. Day Four “Public Health; Dementia Care and Psychosocial Factors; Dementia Care Practice” – Adam Smith is joined by Dr Riona McArdle, Research Associate from Newcastle University, Dr Byron Creese, Senior Research Fellow from Newcastle University and Dementia Care Consultant Esther Wiskerke. This is the last of our AAIC 2020 podcasts. All the content from this conference will be available for 30 days for those who are registered by the 31st July (60 days for ISTAART Members)visit: https://www.alz.org/aaic/registration.asp Checkout the twitter feed with #AAIC20 to find more news from the world largest dementia conference. ______________________________________________ This podcast series is brought to you by Dementia Researcher. You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. A transcript of th

This week we are recording a daily podcast, sharing all the news and highlights from this year’s Alzheimer's Association International ‘Virtual’ Conference. Day Three “Clinical Manifestations; Drug Development” – Adam Smith is joined by Dr Anna Volmer, Speech & Language Therapist and academic at University College London, Danielle Wilson, Commercialisation Lead at the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London and Dr Leonidas Chouliaras, Psychiatrist and NIHR Clinical Lecturer at University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.. Check back at this time tomorrow for news from day four, and checkout the twitter feed with #AAIC20 to find more. All the content from the AAIC Conference will be available for free for 30 days after the conference (60 days for ISTAART Members), register now at https://www.alz.org/aaic/overview.asp ______________________________________________ This podcast series is brought to you by Dementia Researcher. You can find out more about

This week we are recording a daily podcast, sharing all the news and highlights from this year’s Alzheimer's Association International ‘Virtual’ Conference. Day Two “Biomarkers” – Adam Smith is joined by Dr James Quinn, Research Fellow, from Massachusetts General Hospital, Rory Boyle, PhD Candidate from Trinity College Dublin and Courtney Kloske, Doctoral Candidate at the University of Kentucky. Check back at this time tomorrow for news from day three, and checkout the twitter feed with #AAIC20 to find more. ______________________________________________ This podcast series is brought to you by Dementia Researcher. You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. A transcript of this podcast is also available here https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcasts ______________________________________________ You can now find our podcasts on your preferred smart home speaker – just ask it for the “Dementia Researcher Podcast” This podcast is br

This week we are recording a daily podcast, sharing all the news and highlights from this year’s Alzheimer's Association International ‘Virtual’ Conference. Day One “Basic Science and Pathogenesis” – Dr Megan O’Hare is joined by Professor Louise Serpell, from the University of Sussex, Dr Emily Maguire from the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University and Dr Lindsay Sinclair from University of Bristol. Check back at this time tomorrow for news from day two, and checkout the twitter feed with #AAIC20 to find more. ______________________________________________ This podcast series is brought to you by Dementia Researcher. You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. A transcript of this podcast is also available here https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcasts ______________________________________________ You can now find our podcasts on your preferred smart home speaker – just ask it for the “Dementia Researcher Podcast” Th

A five-part special relay podcast series, where the interviewee becomes the interviewer. With five leading researchers discussing their research, their field, and the work of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Professional Interest Area they represent. Part Five - Dr Sietske Sikkes interviews Professor David Scott Dr Sietske Sikkes is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Epidemiologist and Assistant professor at the Alzheimer Centre Amsterdam at Amsterdam University Medical Centre & VU University, Netherlands. Sietske’s is researching Neuropsychology, cognition, instrument development, psychometrics and non-pharmacological interventions. She is representing the Non-pharmacological Interventions PIA and Subjective Cognitive Decline PIA. David Scott is Director of the Department of Anaesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Professor, School of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia. David is researches Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders – in particular, delirium and cog

A five-part special relay podcast series, where the interviewee becomes the interviewer. With five leading researchers discussing their research, their field, and the work of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Professional Interest Area they represent. Part Four - Dr Cécilia Samieri interviews Dr Sietske Sikkes Dr Cécilia Samieri is an Epidemiologist and Senior researcher at INSERM (French National Institute for Health), in Bordeaux, France. Cécilia’s research looks at Nutritional epidemiology, lifestyle risk factors, exposome. She is representing the Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders PIA. Dr Sietske Sikkes is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Epidemiologist and Assistant professor at the Alzheimer Centre Amsterdam at Amsterdam University Medical Centre & VU University, Netherlands. Sietske’s is researching Neuropsychology, cognition, instrument development, psychometrics and non-pharmacological interventions. She is representing the Non-pharmacological Interventions PIA and Subjective Cognitive Decline PI

A five-part special relay podcast series, where the interviewee becomes the interviewer. With five leading researchers discussing their research, their field, and the work of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Professional Interest Area they represent. Part Three - Dr Prashanthi Vemuri interviews Dr Cécilia Samieri Dr Prashanthi Vemuri is Associate Professor of Radiology at The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, USA. Prashanthi’s research is focused on imaging biomarkers of Neurodegenerative and Cerebrovascular Disease. She is representing the Reserve, Resilience, and Protective Factors PIA. Dr Cécilia Samieri is an Epidemiologist and Senior researcher at INSERM (French National Institute for Health), in Bordeaux, France. Cécilia’s research looks at Nutritional epidemiology, lifestyle risk factors, exposome. She is representing the Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders PIA. ______________________________________________ This podcast series is brought to you by Dementia Researcher. You

A five-part special relay podcast series, where the interviewee becomes the interviewer. With five leading researchers discussing their research, their field, and the work of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Professional Interest Area they represent. Part Two - Professor Henrik Zetterberg interviews Dr Prashanthi Vemuri Henrik Zetterberg is Professor of Neurochemistry, Senior Consultant in Clinical Chemistry and Head of Department at The Sahlgrenska Academy within the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and University College London, UK. Henrik’s work is focused on Fluid biomarkers for neurodegenerative dementias. He is representing the Biofluid-based biomarkers PIA. Dr Prashanthi Vemuri is Associate Professor of Radiology at The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, USA. Prashanthi’s research is focused on imaging biomarkers of Neurodegenerative and Cerebrovascular Disease. She is representing the Reserve, Resilience, and Protective Factors PIA. ________________________________________

A five-part special relay podcast series, where the interviewee becomes the interviewer. With five leading researchers discussing their research, their field, and the work of the Alzheimer’s Association ISTAART Professional Interest Area they represent. Part One - Professor David Scott interviews Professor Henrik Zetterberg David Scott is Director of the Department of Anaesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Professor, School of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia. David is researches Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders – in particular, delirium and cognitive decline associated with anaesthesia and surgery. He is representing the Perioperative Cognition and Delirium PIA. Henrik Zetterberg is Professor of Neurochemistry, Senior Consultant in Clinical Chemistry and Head of Department at The Sahlgrenska Academy within the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and University College London, UK. Henrik’s work is focused on Fluid biomarkers for neurodegenerative dementia

In this week’s podcast we explore why Microglia are awesome, why our panellists use induced pluripotent stem cell models and how they feed Genome wide association studies hits and basic science into drug discovery with phenotypic screening. Meet our panellists: Dr Hazel Hall-Roberts, who is a black belt in Wado-Ryu karate and Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology & ARUK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute. Dr Emma Mead a Senior Neurobiologist, allotment holder, kitchen creative and Team Leader at the ARUK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute. Maria Kreger Karabova a DPhil student also at Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford. Maria’s claim to fame is that she once overhead-squatted her postdoc supervisor (I am sure a few of us would like to do that). Megan Calvert-O’Hare is hosting the discussion which was recorded over Zoom (so apologies if the sounds quality isn’t up to our usual high standards). You can find out more about our panellists, and their w