Dementia Researcher

This week Adam Smith is joined by three early career dementia researchers to discuss mental health struggles and self-care in academia. Are these problems that everyone goes through? Are there strategies that you can employ to help? We had so much to talk about… that we broke it down into two parts and this is part one. Those researchers are: Dr Katie Askew, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and owner of two house bunnies called Lola and Floki. Dr Isabel Castanho, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Exeter, and a practitioner of aerial yoga and a front line soldier in the battle against the Omnics (which in layman’s terms means she spends a lot of time playing video games) Last but not least we have Makis Tzioras who is a PhD student also from the University of Edinburgh. Panellists choose the title of each podcast and today is “If you can’t love yourself, then how the hell you gonna love your science?”: A semi-serious chat about self-care in academia” – thanks to

This week Adam Smith is joined by three early career dementia researchers to discuss mental health struggles and self-care in academia. Are these problems that everyone goes through? Are there strategies that you can employ to help? We had so much to talk about… that we broke it down into two parts and this is part two. Those researchers are: Dr Katie Askew, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh and owner of two house bunnies called Lola and Floki. Dr Isabel Castanho, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Exeter, and a practitioner of aerial yoga and a front line soldier in the battle against the Omnics (which in layman’s terms means she spends a lot of time playing video games) Last but not least we have Makis Tzioras who is a PhD student also from the University of Edinburgh. Panellists choose the title of each podcast and today is “If you can’t love yourself, then how the hell you gonna love your science?”: A semi-serious chat about self-care in academia” – thanks to

Join Megan O’Hare interviewing the panel for an insightful discussion on PPI in biomedical research. On previous podcasts, we have discussed the importance of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) – and the value it can add to research project development and also to researchers themselves, people living with dementia and their carers. Today’s podcast looks at PPI in biomedical research as there is a growing trend toward involving patients and public in lab-based projects. The panel – Dr Lindsey Sinclair, from Bristol University, Dr Claire Lancaster from Oxford University and Dr Martina Bocchetta from University College London, discuss how they have used PPI when developing their research projects and applying for funding and share tips on best places to seek out PPI help and involvement and what they have learned along the way. 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.dementia

In 2015 Professor Rossor from University College London and Professor Martin Knapp from The London School of Economics published a paper in the Lancet entitled ‘Can we model a cognitive footprint of interventions and policies to help to meet the global challenge of dementia?’ In this podcast Piers Kotting talks to Professor Rossor and Professor Parashkev Nachev exploring the concept of a ‘Cognitive Footprint’ and getting behind the follow-up research has already undertaken in this field, and plans for the new work recently funded by the Health Foundation. You can contact the Cognitive Footprint team via email at cognitivefootprint@ucl.ac.uk or find them on twitter @cog_footprint For more information on the Health Foundation Funded study visit:: https://www.health.org.uk/funding-and-partnerships/programmes/novel-methods-to-explore-the-value-of-cognitive-health-in-a- For the Lancet article visit: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60248-3/fulltext You can find out more abo

This week Adam Smith hosts this informal discussion with three lab-based researchers. Recorded remotely and discussing how they’re all managing to physically and mentally well, and how life has changed since the 23rd March. Dr Katy Askew, Postdoctoral Research Fellow and PhD student Makis Tzioras both from The University of Edinburgh and Dr Isabel Castanho a postdoc researcher at University of Exeter joined the podcast remotely to discuss and share. These three will be back again in a few weeks’ time to discuss in greater details, how they manage the pressures of academia with a focus on mental health and wellness. 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-staying-well-and-staying-home Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. We are also run a Midd

Adam Smith talks with Dr Aida Gonzalez, Dr Daniel Jimenez both from University College London and Julieta Camino the University of East Anglia. Three panellists who all come from a clinical background and now find themselves working as academics. This week we explore how they maintain their clinical skills and identify, while working in academia. Academics with a clinical background and Clinical Academics may research similar things, however how they study and work can be very different. For one, being a clinician remain part of their day job, for others the clinical work may be left behind, but still be at the core of their research. Typically, a Clinical Academic will be part funded to enable them to split their time between their clinical work and research. But what about those who have broken away to study full time, but who need to maintain their clinical skills or even just remain in that space to support the research they’re doing? How do they maintain their skills and identity as clinicians? Partic

This week Anna Volkmer chairs a far reaching discussion exploring sexuality, relationships and intimacy in long-term and dementia care. There is there is limited research on what family members and front-line care home staff consider to be the best responses to the sexual expression of a person with dementia, whilst at the same time respecting relatives’ feelings, managing their possible distress and conflict. This week out panel share some insights on their work to address this challenging topic. This weeks panellist are Professor Jill Manthorpe, from King's College London who works on practice, policy and social work. Creating evidence and ideas about ways to improve systems of support. Next is Dr Dawne Garrett, Professional Lead for Older People and Dementia Care at the Royal College of Nursing. Her own research looks at experiences of sexual intimacy in older people in the context of partnership relationships. Finally, we have Esther Wiskerke, speaker, trainer, writer and dementia day care manager. Esth

In the UK there are 850,000 people living with dementia, and approximately 90% of people with dementia are affected by neuropsychiatric symptoms at some stage. This term generally refers to things like agitation, hallucinations, delusions, and depression that occur as a result of neurodegenerative disease. Megan O'Hare interviews three researchers who work in and around the field of psychiatry and dementia. Talking specifically about apathy, depression and treatments for the various symptoms. We also delve into the impact of the severe side effects that drug treatments can cause and how safer drugs can be developed. Dr Byron Creese, Senior Research Fellow at University of Exeter covers the range of symptoms and how transcriptomics may hold the key to developing good drugs. Miguel Vasconcelos Da Silva and Isabel Foote discuss their nursing backgrounds and the overlaps and differences between depression and apathy and how a clinical definition for apathy is needed. You can find out more about our panelli

Our first ever Spanish Language Special! English & Spanish Transcripts for this podcast can be found on our website http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-spanish-voices-in-dementia-research ___________________________________________________________________ La investigación en el campo del deterioro cognitivo está llena de talento multicultural y de diversidad. Hoy queremos celebrar este hecho y resaltar la contribución científica de la comunidad hispanohablante. En este podcast, la doctora Aida Suarez Gonzalez entrevista a tres investigadores que se formaron en Latinoamérica y en Europa, y están ahora desarrollando sus carreras científicas aquí en el Reino Unido. Los tres vienen de profesiones muy diferentes y están en la actualidad trabajando en instituciones británicas de renombre internacional: Ivanna Pavisic, Julieta Camino y el Dr. Daniel Jiménez. Puedes encontrar más información sobre nuestros panelistas y sus líneas de investigación en nuestra web www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. La t

This week our panel of NHS clinicians are in the studio to discuss their stories of becoming 'research active'. With advise for others and details on how they are now working to support and encourage others on the front line of NHS care. As the NIHR in the UK, and research bodies in other countries work to encourage more clinical staff to become research active. This podcast provides information for clinicians from all professions and backgrounds, hoping to inspire the next generation of Principle Investigators. Piers Kotting is back in the hot seat with Dr Sylvie Halsey and Dr Zoe Clough from the Wessex Deanery and Dr Leonidas Chouliaras from the University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. 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-being-a-research-active-clinician Like what you hear? Please review, lik

In this podcast we reflect on the recent UK Dementia Care Research Summit 2020 hosted by Alzheimer’s Society, National Institute for Health Research and Economic & Social Research Council. Discussing the highlights, outcomes and next step (which we think are probably applicable in many countries). The dementia research community is driven by a desire to make positive change for people affected by dementia. Great progress has been made so far but change is still needed. Our host Adam Smith talks with Hannah Churchill from Alzheimer’s Society, Dr Tamara Backhouse from the University of East Anglia and Dr Keir Yong from University College London. Footage from the summit can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AlzheimersSociety/videos For details of all the speakers and the programme visit: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-01/Programme_A5_ONLINE.pdf Adam Smith the chair of this podcast has also written a blog with his top 10 suggestions for next steps, and what he thought

Today's topic is the new Alzheimer's Research UK DEMON Network (don't worry you don't have to be an evil spirit or tormentor to join), DEMON being an acronym for Deep Dementia Phenotyping (DEMON) Network. Led by the University of Exeter and supported by Alzheimer's Research UK, the Alan Turing Institute and Dementias Platform UK. It aims to unite experts from a wide range of fields to find new solutions to research in dementia. In this podcast, first time host Piers Kotting is with Professor David Llewellyn from the University of Exeter and Dr Carol Routledge, Director of Research from Alzheimer’s Research UK. To discuss what the they hope to achieve through the network and how Early Career Researchers from across all fields and countries, and not only in dementia, can become involved. To join the ARUK DEMON Network visit - https://www.decodedementia.com/research/demon/ You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk. A transcript of this podcast

Join Dr Megan O'Hare on the road at Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation NHS Trust interviewing R&D Manager and PhD Student Jane Gregg and former guest Dr Josie Jenkinson. They discuss Jane's PhD understanding how people perceive themselves and their future once they receive a diagnosis of dementia and how that links with service use in the NHS. This far reaching discussion gives pause for thought and considers how research embedded within the NHS and healthcare can make a real difference. 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 on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-illness-perceptions-service-use-in-dementia/ Special thanks to Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for allowing us to record this podcast. Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. _________

Listen to this week's podcast to hear Professor Louise Serpell and Dr Karen Marshall from the University of Sussex talk Biochemistry and drug development. Learn about what amyloid fibrils actually are, their structure, other diseases that are caused by them and ultimately what we can do with this knowledge. 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 on here https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-molecular-basis-of-alzheimers-disease Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. We encourage all of our listeners to visit our website, it doesn’t matter if you are in the UK or elsewhere in the world as there is something there for everyone. We add new content every day, from blogs discussing peoples research and their careers, a full dementia and research events planner, details of all upcoming funding

This week's podcast is hosted by Anna Volkmer discussing a topic that she is particularly passionate about; consenting participants into dementia research. She is joined by Dr Clarissa Giebel, Dr James Fletcher and Dr Aida Suarez-Gonzalez all who have first-hand experience of consenting adults into dementia research trials and studies and share their experiences and tips. Listen to hear how each of the panellists find navigating the 'grey area' of capacity, hear a remarkable story of bravery from one person who took part in dementia research and hear the panel discuss how we could all benefit from taking the time to produce inclusive documents that are not too long and jargon-filled. The panel discuss their experiences within the context of adhering to the English and Welsh mental capacity act of 2005: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents The useful website Dr Aida Suarez-Gonzalez mentions can be found here: https://www.changepeople.org/ The resources developed by Jill Pearl and Speakabilit

As we prepare to welcome 2020 and a new year, we look back on some of the great podcasts we recorded during 2019 in this round-up of some of our favourite moments. A transcript of this podcast is available here on our website - https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-2019-roundup-christmas-special/ Over the past year we’ve recorded 36 podcast with more than 70 dementia researchers and expert panellists. Those podcasts have attracted over 19,000 plays from all over the world, in over 50 countries (biggest increasing coming from the USA) and this hit a high for us in October when we started to trend at over 2,500 plays each month (3,245 in November and December is set to beat that record). We have covered a wide range of topics, from life in the lab, microglia and drug discover through to improving public engagement, care in hospitals and finishing the PhD and we promise to continue in 2020. Revisiting some topics, bringing you more researchers discussing their work, and new features including talki

In this podcast we talk we talk to three panellists, to reflect on what they discovered at the ‘Prediction and Prevention in Neurodegenerative Disease Symposium’ held on the 29th November and organised by the Preventative Neurology Unit (PNU) at Queen Mary University London. Recorded on location from QMU - Dr Megan O’Hare is join by PhD students Phazha Bothongo and Isabelle Foote from Queen Mary University and Dr Harri Sivasathiaseelan from University College London. The Symposium focused on the fascinating issues around early detection and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, and included a star studded lined-up of speakers, including Anette Schrag, Rimona Weil and Jonathan Schott from UCL. Dennis Chan, Carol Brayne and Richard Milne from the University of Cambridge and others from QMUL, Oxford and Maastricht. The PNU is a new group set up as part of the School of Medicine & Dentistry at Queen Mary University, London. Funded by Bart's Charity to try to prevent diseases that affect the nervous system,

This week Adam Smith is at the University of Manchester to talk with a research team who over the last 5-years has been working collaboratively with people living with dementia and family carers on a study focusing on Neighbourhoods and Dementia. This weeks panel has Dr Sarah Campbell a Research Associate at the Manchester University, Professor Andrew Clark from the University of Salford and expert through experience Maria Walsh as Co-researcher and Study Adviser. In this podcast we discuss how researchers and study participants worked together to find innovative and meaningful ways to disseminate the findings from their research. Ensuring that what they learnt really was put into practice and shared with those who would benefit, and how co-production took them down the path of zines. PS you can find the zines mentioned in the podcast here: https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/neighbourhoods-and-dementia/work-programme-4/ The designer who produced the amazing graphics for this study has also written a blog for

In this podcast we welcome academics and industry to discuss the Dementia Consortium and drug discovery, from the basics of target validation to the question you always wanted to ask big pharma - what is their motivation for investing! The panel is made up of Dr Declan Jones and Dr John Isaac both from Johnson & Johnson, one of the seven industry partners of the Dementia Consortium, Professor Paul Whiting, the CSO at the Drug Discovery Institute at UCL and James Connell the Research Manager at Alzheimer's Research UK who coordinates the Dementia Consortium. The Dementia Consortium is a private-charity partnership between Alzheimer’s Research UK, Evotec and the pharmaceutical companies Abbvie, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Eisai, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly and MSD. The Consortium provides drug discovery resources, project management, industry expertise and tools as well as full funding support for projects. It can support small molecule or antibody-based strategies and aims to generate tools to achieve preclinical t

This week's podcast was recorded at the Centre for Dementia Studies at the University of Sussex. Megan O'Hare is joined by Dr Ben Hicks and Dr Laura Hughes to discuss broadly the themes of inequalities in dementia care and quality of life and specifically look at the DeterMIND programme. Evidence has emerged of major inequalities in care for dementia, driven by factors including ethnicity, whether your care is self-funded or paid for by local authorities and whether you are diagnosed earlier or later. DeterMIND is designed to address critical, fundamental and as yet unanswered questions about inequalities, outcomes and costs following diagnosis with dementia. These answers are needed to improve the quality of care and therefore the quality of life. Join the podcast to hear an interesting discussion on the benefits and perceived downsides of an early diagnosis, results from Ben's PhD work on how different populations manage a clinical diagnosis and the way care homes can enhance the quality of life for peo