A Diet for the Brain & Measuring Quality of Life

12/09/22 • 29 min

Recorded at the Dementia Research Charity #Chatathon 2022 - Adam Smith interviews Dr Sophia Amenyah, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, at Bournemouth University, Hannah Hussain, PhD Student & Pharmacist at University of Sheffield and Dr Raysa El Zein, Lecturer of Nutrition & Dementia Researcher at University of Exeter.

Dr Sophia Amenyah - I am an early career research scientist and a Registered Nutritionist (UKVRN, AfN). I have a strong background in biochemical, epigenetics and the social and economic aspects of nutrition and healthy ageing. My research encompasses multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to understanding the determinants of optimal nutrition and healthy ageing throughout the life course with specific focus on prevention of vascular diseases. My recent projects include the Healthy Brain Healthy Life project.

Hannah Hussain - My research is focused on how to best to measure health related quality of life in dementia populations for use in economic evaluations. I will be using statistical methods to understand if and how to combine outcome assessments made by the person living with dementia and a proxy (typically an informal caregiver).

Dr Raysa El Zein - I am interested in healthy ageing and especially the effect of nutrition on age related cognitive decline. My research looks into the effect of dietary induced ketosis on cognition in older adults and adults with mild cognitive impairment to reduce dementia risk.

The 2022 Dementia Research Charity Chatathon LIVE was held on Friday 2nd December - A non-stop 12.5 hours livestream hosted by Adam Smith interviewing 68 Dementia Researchers and Special Guests working across all areas of discovery to beat Alzheimer's disease and all forms of dementia. Raising money for research and providing insights into the latest research taking place across the UK and Worldwide.

This year we are raising money for four amazing charities who all fund research - Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, Race Against Dementia and The Lewy Body Society.

For more information and to donate visit http://www.chatathon.uk

This year we are raising money for four amazing charities who all fund research - Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, Race Against Dementia and The Lewy Body Society.

For more information and to donate visit http://www.chatathon.uk

Previous Episode

Digital tools to help people living with Dementia

Recorded at the Dementia Research Charity #Chatathon 2022 - Adam Smith interviews Dr Aida Suarez-Gonzalez, Principal Research Fellow at University College London, Zara Page, PhD Student at University of New South Wales and Dr Tim Shakespeare, Research Acceleration Lead at Zinc.

Dr Aida Suarez-Gonzalez - In my research I investigate the phenotypic variability of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. I also work on the development of neuropsychological rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions to improve patient-centred outcomes in this population. I have extensive experience in non-pharmacological RCT, co-production and development and evaluation of digital therapeutic tools. My current work focuses on the use of precision neuropsychology to optimise rehabilitation treatments for people with young onset dementia.

Zara Page - I am a 3rd year PhD Candidate at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales Australia. My current work aims to explore and compare the cultural and language fairness of face to face and computerised cognitive assessments for older adults from diverse backgrounds. I am hoping to improve the tools available for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of dementia and boost inclusion of culturally and linguistically diverse communities in dementia research.

Dr Tim Shakespeare - I lead the programme of support for the Healthy Ageing Catalyst Awards - helping academic researchers develop new products and services that improve later life. Prior to joining Zinc the focus of my work was using Diffusion Tensor Imaging to investigate changes in the brain's white matter that are associated with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease, including Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA). I created and directed the online course 'The Many Faces of Dementia' which aimed to give a unique insight into dementia through the stories, symptoms and science behind four less common diagnoses.

This year we are raising money for four amazing charities who all fund research - Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, Race Against Dementia and The Lewy Body Society.

For more information and to donate visit http://www.chatathon.uk

Next Episode

Dealing with Health Inequalities, and Helping after a Dementia Diagnosis

Recorded at the Dementia Research Charity #Chatathon 2022 - Adam Smith interviews Nathan Stephens, PhD Student & Unpaid Care Worker at University of Worcester, Dr Clarissa Giebel, Senior Research Fellow at University of Liverpool and Dr Kat Algar-Skaife, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Nathan Stephens - I work on understanding social and economic value of scaling up community based dementia support - in a failed market place. Passionate about health equity and under and unpaid care as a justice/rights issue. I am also an unpaid care worker and working with institutions locally such as CCGs, LAs, Public Health on the Worcestershire Meeting Centres Programme.

Dr Clarissa Giebel - My research focuses on enabling people living with dementia to live well and independently at home for as long as possible, whilst addressing inequalities in accessing the right care. For this, I am working with a number of national and international collaborators, in the Netherlands, Colombia, Chile, Australia, Uganda, Poland, and UAE and have published over 90 papers in the field.

Dr Kat Algar-Skaife - Over the past twelve years, I have led and contributed to research around understanding and improving support; developing and evaluating psychosocial, physical activity, and creative interventions. I collaborate with organisations such as Age Cymru and local authorities to ensure that my research has a real-life impact outside of an academic setting. I currently lead the SENSE-Emotion project which aims to provide a deeper understanding of the experiences and emotional responses of people living with dementia engaging with SENSE-GARDEN, an immersive digital sensory room.

This year we are raising money for four amazing charities who all fund research - Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, Race Against Dementia and The Lewy Body Society.

For more information and to donate visit http://www.chatathon.uk