Dementia Researcher

Whilst everyone may experience dementia and its symptoms differently, the pathway to diagnosis is very similar for most people, but could all that be about to change? This week Adam Smith, speaks to a Psychiatrist, a Neurologist and a Scientist. They discuss the current diagnosis pathway, the tests involved, and how that could change as with the development of blood based biomarkers. Exploring the science behind the new tests, their development, and how these new tests could be used in frontline services to improve accuracy, support clinical trials and to improve care – and is the NHS ready? This week’s guests are: Dr Elizabeth Coulthard, Consultant Neurologist and Associate Professor at University of Bristol and North Bristol NHS Trust. Dr Josie Jenkinson, Consultant Psychiatrist for Older People and Clinical Academic at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust. Dr Amanda Heslegrave, Senior Research Fellow focussed on Biomarkers in Neurodegeneration at the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. Emerging blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer disease are an exciting new development. They could provide an accessible, easy to delivery and inexpensive screening tool. Looking to the future, when disease-modifying or prevention treatments will be available, investigators are focused on how to detect the earliest biological signals of Alzheimer disease, perhaps even years or decades before clinical symptoms appear – and that’s when these tests could really become essential. However, how could they be used now? Could they improve accuracy of diagnosis? Replace the need for other more expensive tests? Ensure we no longer have to send people home, telling them they have Mild Cognitive Impairment? Reduce misdiagnosis? Patients and their families want to know, Is this Alzheimer disease, or something that can be reversed? Can we answer that question now? And Could this new biomarker help? All will be discussed in this weeks show. _________________________ You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk A transcript of this podcast is also available here https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast-diagnosing-dementia-now-and-in-the-future _________________________ This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.

In this podcast we venture into the complex world of neuropathology. Our guests talk about their research, and uncover why neuropathology is so important to understanding dementias. During the discussion they also share a behind scenes glimpse into the workings of a brain bank, explore how brain tissue is used and how it can inform drug trials and personalised care, and provide a shock revelation about the difference between diagnosis in life, and what the brain shows after death. From groundbreaking discoveries to the cutting-edge techniques transforming how we understand and approach brain health, this episode is an essential listen for anyone intrigued by the science of the brain and the fight against dementia. Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali, Senior Lecturer at Teesside University hosts our expert guests, Tammaryn Lashley, Professor of Neuroscience from University College London, Dr Daniel Erskine, Senior Lecturer in Neurodegenerative Pathology and Newcastle University and Dr Laura Palmer, Manager of the South West Dementia Brain Bank at University of Bristol. -- For more information on our guests work visit: • South West Brain Bank - https://bit.ly/49VRVUD • Queen Square Brain Bank - https://bit.ly/3SEskbH • Brains for Dementia Research - https://bit.ly/3SICEiX • Newcastle Neuro Lab - https://bit.ly/3SIb45d -- Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode – and if you prefer to watch rather than listen, you’ll find a video version of this podcast on our website & YouTube channel, with captions https://youtu.be/y-Hqt30wJtI -- This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support. -- Follow us on Social Media: www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ twitter.com/demrescommunity bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Adam Smith is back to let you know that the Dementia Research Charity Chatathon was a great success. Over 2,500 people joined the livestream of have watched back since, and almost £1100 has been raised. You can find links to all the recordings at https://www.chatathon.uk If you prefer to listen... all the sessions have been converted to audio and put in their own dedicated podcast. You can find them in your podcast app or head over to https://podfollow.com/chatathon -- Bright Wish by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100377 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

It’s our last podcast of 2022. We’re breaking from our usual tradition of bringing you old clips and instead we brought together eight of our brilliant researcher bloggers for a chat. In this show hosted by Adam Smith, they talk about their personal highlights from the year, share what they’re most looking forward to in 2023 and give us a glimpse into what they like away from work. We’re delighted to welcome Dr Yvonne Couch from University of Oxford, Dr Aida Suarez Gonzalez & Dr Anna Volkmer from University College London, Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali from Teesside University, Beth Eyre from University of Sheffield, Dr Gaia Brezzo from the UKDRI at The University of Sheffield, Dr Sam Moxon from The University of Manchester and new blogger Dr Connor Richardson from Newcastle University. -- Read or listen to all of our researchers blogs at: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/support-resources/blogs/ -- You can find out more about our bloggers and their work on our website. There you will also find a full transcript: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode + if you prefer to watch rather than listen, you'll find a video version of this podcast on our YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/AJUw-mx-xCw -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support.

In this podcast Dr Anna Volkmer engages in a captivating discussion with a panel of researchers and experts from the University of East Anglia and Age UK. The focus? Hydration – a seemingly simple yet profoundly impactful aspect of well-being, especially for older individuals and those living with dementia. -- Sharing their research, learning and efforts to deliver practical changes are: Ellice Parkinson, PhD Student. With a background in clinical psychology and working in Huntington’s disease but having now worked in dementia research for almost 10 years, and now focussed on Hydration care of older people, and people living with dementia (and quickly approaching the final year of her PhD at UEA). Dan Skipper, CEO of Age UK Norwich. Dan is an active part of a range of forums focusing on improving the quality of later life in the city and county, including Norwich Older People’s Forum, Norfolk Older People’s Strategic Partnership, and the Norwich Institute of Healthy Ageing. Amy Zile, PhD Student whose work is focussed on Hydration in older adults who live in the community. Mental health and wellbeing of students and academic staff. Dr Florence Jimoh, Senior Knowledge Exchange Associate passionate about hydration in older adults who are at increased risk of dehydration due to physiological and cognitive changes. Her research has involved working with stakeholders to develop a Drinks Diary that some care home residents can use to monitor their fluid intake. -- As we age, maintaining proper hydration becomes more crucial than ever, with far-reaching effects on physical health, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. When it comes to individuals grappling with dementia, the significance of hydration takes on an even more intricate dimension. Join us as we dive into the intricate tapestry of hydration science and its intersection with aging and dementia – and most importantly, exploring the research undertaken by this group to understand and address the challenges. Resources discussed: Improving drinking for people living with dementia in care homes - Access to the FREE dehydration awareness posters for public and clinical areas - https://bit.ly/44kIudY UEA Hydrate Group - Access to the FREE DrinkIt resources and information about the UEA Hydrate Group - https://bit.ly/3shiJ0V -- Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode – and if you prefer to watch rather than listen, you’ll find a video version of this podcast with full captions on our YouTube Channel -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support.