Dementia Researcher

The Dementia Researcher, ISTAART Relay Podcast is back for a third, 5-part 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 Louise Ince interviews Erica Dove representing the Technology and Dementia PIA. Dr Louise Ince is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Texas at Austin. Louise's work focuses on circadian (daily, ~24 h) rhythms in immune function: why our body’s inflammatory response varies depending upon the time-of-day. She is particularly interested in how the dynamics of neuroimmune responses change with aging and in dementia (she is also an expert in pyrotechnics, and hails from Blackpool in the north of England). Louise is representing the ISTAART Immunity and Neurodegeneration PIA. Erica Dove is a third year PhD Student, studying at University of Toronto. Her research aims to co-develop an exerc

The Dementia Researcher, ISTAART Relay Podcast is back for a third, 5-part 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 Hamid Sohrabi, interviews Dr Louise Ince representing the Immunity and Neurodegeneration PIA Dr Hamid Sohrabi is Director of the Centre for Healthy Ageing - Associate Professor of Psychology and Clinical Neurosciences at Murdoch University, Australia. His research is focussed on screening and clinical diagnostic measures as well as identifying dementia risk factors and resilience and resisting factors including cognitive reserve. Outside work he loves DIY (but never ask him to fit a gate in your garden). Hamid is representing the ISTAART Reserve, Resilience and Protective Factors PIA. Dr Louise Ince is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Texas at Austin. Louise's work focuses on cir

The Dementia Researcher, ISTAART Relay Podcast is back for a third, 5-part 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 – Dr Rik Ossenkoppele, interviews Dr Hamid Sohrabi representing the Resilience and Protective Factors PIA Dr Rik Ossenkoppele is an Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience at Amsterdam UMC and Lund University. His area of research is Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, brain imaging, biomarkers, cognition. Rik also happens to be a qualifiied PE Teacher, and he is representing the ISTAART Atypical Alzheimer's Disease PIA. Dr Hamid Sohrabi is Director of the Centre for Healthy Ageing - Associate Professor of Psychology and Clinical Neurosciences at Murdoch University, Australia. His research is focussed on screening and clinical diagnostic measures as well as identifying dement

The Dementia Researcher, ISTAART Relay Podcast is back for a third, 5-part 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 Charlotte Teunissen, interviews Dr Rik Ossenkoppele representing the Atypical Alzheimer's Disease PIA Charlotte Teunissen is a Professor in Neurochemistry at Amsterdam UMC. Charlotte explores Biomarkers in body fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid and blood, to understand the disease and improve care for neurological diseases, especially dementias and Multiple Sclerosis. She is representing the ISTAART Biofluid Based Biomarkers PIA. Dr Rik Ossenkoppele is an Associate Professor of Translational Neuroscience at Amsterdam UMC and Lund University. His area of research is Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, brain imaging, biomarkers, cognition. Rik also happens to be a qualifiie

In this weeks Dementia Researcher Podcast, we hear from Dr Karissa Barthelson, one of the latest Race Against Dementia Research Fellows from Flinders University – discussing her research, and specifically an introduction to Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare form of childhood dementia, and her research on this disease. Regular Dementia Researcher Bloggers Dr Anna Volkmer & Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali lead the interview, helping us to understand Karissa’s work and exploring the science. All types of neurodegenerative diseases share common molecular mechanisms responsible for disease etiology and progression. Karissa, is interested in understanding these shared mechanisms, as targeting the common problems could lead to new therapeutics to benefit more individuals who live with these diseases. To understand the shared molecular mechanisms, Karissa utilises zebra fish, as a model organism. Introducing mutations into zebrafish, equivalent to those which cause neurodegenerative diseases in humans (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Sanfi

In this weeks podcast, Adam Smith speaks with Alzheimer’s Association Director, Scientific Programs and Outreach, Dr Claire Sexton. Discussing this years Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) July 31 - August 4 2022. Taking place in-person in San Diego, USA and online - the world’s leading basic scientists, clinical researchers, early career investigators, clinicians and the care research community will share breaking research discoveries that will lead to methods of prevention and treatment and improvements in diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease. Learn what the organisors have planned for this years event, new features and about some of the amazing sessions planned for those attending in-person and online. Students worldwide and researchers from Low and Middle Income Countries are now eligable for free ISTAART Membership (and ISTAART members can attend the AAIC Online for Free) - Become a member, then register for the conference if you can't make it in-person. To book your place visit - h

In this podcast, Dr Stefania Forner, Director of Medical & Scientific Relations at Alzheimer's Association guest hosts a discussion with current and past awardees of the Association's Fellowships and international grant programs. They recap on the take-aways from a recent grant writing master glass and explore how grants are evaluated, what makes a successful application. Visit our YouTube Channel to watch the video version of this podcast - just look for dementia researcher. Meet our guests: Dr DeAnnah R. Byrd, Assistant Professor at Arizona State University. Studying the effects of chronic conditions & stressors in older Blacks and reducing dementia among minority populations. Dr Joe Abisambra, Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Associate Dean of Diversity and Health Equity at University of Florida. Focussing on tau biology in the context of Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury. Dr Eduardo R. Zimmer, Assistant Professor at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Researching Glial Cells, neuro

Recorded LIVE on Twitter Spaced on Wednesday 15th June 2022. Adam Smith, chats to the Alzheimer's Society research grants team, discussing their newly launched 2022 funding call, getting details on their all new PhD, Fellowship, Careers and Project Grants. Sophie Roberts, Dr Jennie Gabriel and Katherine Gray - share details on how the Society's funding programmes have been transformed and updated to better support ECRs, with improvements in the applicatio process, contract lenghts and stipends, and all new programmes. They also discuss eligabilty, and how to apply. For details on all the calls visit: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/alzheimers-society-launch-new-funding-schemes/ https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/research/researchers/our-application-process To keep up to date with news from Alzheimer's Society Research Team you can now follow them on twitter @AlzSocResearch - there you will also find details of an upcoming webinar for applicants.

Back in February the charity Race Against Dementia started by former Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart announced funding of its first Discovery Hub, and funding to transform and quickly delivery drug discovery to clinical trials in partnership with University of Edinburgh and the Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam. In this podcast Dr Sam Moxon talks with three of the people behind this exciting new project – RAD CEO Bridget Barker, and Neurologists Professor Philip Scheltens of the Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam and Professor Siddharthan Chandran from University of Edinburgh. Listen to hear how this project came about, what they’ll be doing differently and hope to achieve, and why drug discovery and drug repurposing could be key in finding a new treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website. There you will also find a full transcript: www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-rad-discovery-hub -- Like what you hear

In this podcast Dr Sam Moxon speaks with behavioral neurologist and neuroscientist Dr Dean Sherzia. They discuss diet and lifestyle and how they effect the brain, and how big and small changes can have an effect on cognition both before and after a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. For those who don't know Dr. Dean Sherzai is dedicated to behavioral change models at the community and population level. Dean and his wife Dr Ayesha Sherzia, are authors of the book 'The 30-Days ALzheimer's Solution: The Definitive Food and Lifestyle Guide to Preventing Cognitive Decline'. Ocean Robbins, CEO of the Food Revolution Network said of the book "This simple, step-by-step guide is your road map to a life of clear mind, strong memory, and lasting wellness. You won’t believe how easy (and how delicious!) it can be to transform your life." Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062996959/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_GTX1Q4K6B685MKKT0YNQ Dean finished his medical and neurology residencies at Georg

Is there a connection between sleep, memory, and dementia? Well, it’s complicated. Different types of dementia are associated with different sleep problems, and it is a hot topic for researchers. Whether poor sleep causes or exacerbates dementia, is being looked at and then the separate but related issue of dementia contributing to poor sleep. It is clear that more research is needed to understand this relationship; in particular research that observes large groups of affected people for very long periods of time. In this ISTAART Research Perspectives Special, Fernando Peres and Dr Clara Domínguez Vivero get two perspectives on a research topic, from the researcher and the person who lives with the disease. This time we are joined by Epidemiologist and Sleep Research expert Dr Yue Leng from University of California, San Francisco and Helen Rochford-Brennan, who has been living with dementia for a number of years and transformed her live into campaigning for improved awareness and human rights through charit

To investigate researchers’ experiences of their workplaces, fields, careers and support, University College London and The Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) Professional Interest Area to Elevate Early Career Researchers (PEERS) surveyed ECRs working in the field of dementia or those who had recently left the field. In this podcast the study lead Adam Smith hosts a discussion with three of his ISTAART collaborators Dr Beth Shaaban, from University of Pittsburgh, Dr Lindsay Welikovitch from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital and Wagner Brum from University of Gothenburg and Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Behind every discovery are researchers, with the majority falling into the category of being at the early career stage. Early Career Researchers (ECRs) significantly contribute to the field, but from within, there are concerns about how supported individuals feel to thrive and remain within research. There ar

This week Dr Fiona McLean from University of Dundee is with three colleagues all at the cutting edges of their fields to discuss their research, and the science behind vascular brain health, and what brain cells you’d really enjoy hanging out with on a night out in Glasgow! List to find out more… Maintaining a healthy brain is essential to having a healthy and long life. Brain health is increasingly talked about, but what does that really mean, and how does the vascular system play a role in that? Well, did you know that the health of your brain and your heart are connected? By keeping your heart and vascular system healthy, you also lower your risk for brain problems such as stroke and dementia… controlling blood pressure, eating health foods, and limiting alcohol, managing your risk of diabetes, not smoking and staying active and rested are important… this week our guests explore the science so don’t worry if you don’t know your extravascular cells from your endothelial cells, our great guests will explain

This week Dr Anna Volkmer is back in the hosts chair, interviewing PhD Students, Esther Hui and Emily Fisher. Esther and Emily both study in the International Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Centre at University College London. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based therapy for people with dementia. It is the only non-medical therapy endorsed by UK government guidelines for the cognitive symptoms of dementia. Group CST treatment involves 14 or more sessions of themed activities, which typically run twice weekly. The aims of sessions are to actively stimulate and engage people with dementia, whilst providing an optimal learning environment and the social benefits of a group. CST is widely used across the UK as well as globally, with work ongoing in at least 35 countries. The International CST Centre was set up to co-ordinate this work and is directed by Professor Aimee Spector. In this podcast Esther and Emily discuss the programme, their studies and how they’re adapting CST to work in differ

A special podcast recorded during last weeks AD/PD™ 2022, Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Diseases Conference in Barcelona (isn't it great to be back meeting face to face). Katy Hole, PhD Student from University of Bath guest hosts talking with four early researchers sharing their reflections on the week, and conference and science highlights. Guests are: Dr Amanda Heslegrave, Senior Research Fellow in the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. Dr Percy Griffin, Director of Scientific Engagement at Alzheimer's Association Wagner Brum, MD-PhD student from University of Gothenburg Anna Wernick, PhD Student at University College London _________________________ You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website. There you will also find a full transcript: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-adpd-conference-highlights-2022 _________________________ Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure yo

Today is the UK Space Agency Mars Day, it celebrates the 6th anniversary of the launch of the first ExoMars mission, and a year since NASA’s Perseverance rover started exploring Mars. In just three years’ time NASA aims to return humans to the Moon as part of the Artemis Mission, and in just a decade it’s onward to the surface of Mars – the tech and engineering may be ready, but are we? Being in space has well-documented negative effects on the body. But the effect of being in space on the brain has been studied less. In this podcast Dr Yvonne Couch, ARUK Research Fellow at University of Oxford hosts a discussion with three world leading experts to explore the effects of space travel on the brain. We’re joined by Chris Mason, Professor of Genomics, Physiology, and Biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine, USA. Chris is one of the people behind the landmark Twins Study that followed identical twins Scott and Mark Kelly, while one spent a year on earth and the other spent a year in space – he works with NASA, run

This week we have a we have a special podcast recorded during last weeks Alzheimer's Research UK Conference in Brighton. In this show Dr Katy Bray, ARUK Public Engagement Manager guests hosts talking with four early career researchers sharing the research and their conference highlights. Our guests are Beth Eyre, PhD Student from The University of Sheffield Sophie Sanford, University of Cambridge Dr Mike Daniels, UK DRI at The University of Edinburgh Josh Harvey, University of Exeter _________________________ You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website. There you will also find a full transcript: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-aruk-conference-roundup-2022/ For more information on ARUK visit: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/ _________________________ Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheime

In this podcast Dr Mike Daniels, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the UK Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh guests hosts a discussion with three researchers who know a great deal about Neurons – they discuss their research, lab life and mice challenges, the amyloid hypothesis, and the reproducibility. The healthy human brain contains tens of billions of neurons—specialized cells that process and transmit information via electrical and chemical signals. They send messages between different parts of the brain, and from the brain to the muscles and organs of the body. Alzheimer’s disease disrupts this communication among neurons, resulting in loss of function and cell death. This weeks guests are: Dr Soraya Meftah, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the UK Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh. Sorya explores the Neurophysiology of dementia (synaptic, neuronal, network dysfunction). Tabitha Broadbelt, PhD Student at The University of Edinburgh. Tabitha works in the fi

In this week’s podcast Dr Oz Ismail talks with three dementia researchers who have made in their business to build supportive communities that celebrate and empower Black and minoritised scientists and dementia researchers. In the UK, around 7 per cent of undergraduate students are black, matching the percentage of black people aged 18 to 24. But the number plummets when you look at PhD students. For the past five years, the proportion of black PhD students at Russell Group universities – seen as the UK’s most prestigious – has stagnated at around 2 per cent. The story is similar in the US, where African Americans make up nearly 13 per cent of the population, but win only 6.5 per cent of doctorates earned. Our guests discuss, what needs to be done, and what inspired them to act both personally and professional to support others from similar backgrounds – to follow their paths into science, and support them to remain. They go on to discuss just a few of the amazing resources and services are out there to sup

This week Adam Smith talks with three of the people behind the new Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Early Career Researcher Programme. For those who don’t know ARUK are one of the amazing charities that support Dementia Researcher and this podcast. We share common goals of furthering dementia research, and ensuring that ECRs are attracted to the field, and supported to remain – so it was a pleasure to hear about their brilliant new programme. This weeks guests are Dr Rosa Sancho, Head of Research for ARUK and two people who advised them in devising the new programme, Dr Jill Fowler, Research Fellow from The University of Edinburgh and Michael Coleman, Professor of Neuroscience at University of Cambridge. Here are some essential links for you to follow-up on the topics discussed in the show: Key elements of the new programme include: - A new funding scheme to help retain talented researchers. - Leadership and management training. - An ARUK Network-wide mentorship scheme. - A career development group. News