A major new UK DRI project to develop an ‘atlas’ of the gene activity in the blood vessels of the brain is set to transform understanding of vascular dementia. Combining this map with genetic studies, the project will address a critical knowledge gap by identifying which genes influence our risk of vascular dementia, and how their effects manifest.
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Researchers from the UK DRI, Imperial College London, UCL and Newcastle University are collaborating in a major new project to develop a technology that could help identify people at risk of developing dementia by analysing their sleep patterns.
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UK DRI are pleased to announce that Prof Giles Hardingham has been named Interim Director of the Institute while the process to find a new permanent Director continues. He will take up the post on 1 June 2023.
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New research led by Prof Tara Spires-Jones (UK DRI at Edinburgh) has revealed fresh insight into the spread of damaging proteins that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers say the study, published in the journal Neuron, could hold the key to stopping the condition progressing.
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We are delighted to announce that Prof Mina Ryten has been appointed as the new Director of the UK DRI Centre at Cambridge University, and Van Geest Professor.
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The new world-class neuroscience building at UCL, and future home of the UK DRI at UCL and HQ, reached the highest point construction milestone this month, celebrating with a ‘Topping Out’ ceremony on Thursday 11 May.
We are pleased to announce that the UK DRI has joined the UK Health Data Research Alliance, an independent alliance of leading healthcare and research organisations united to establish best practice for the ethical use of UK health data for research at scale.
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Today (3 May 2023) the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has announced positive results from its phase 3 trial of donanemab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Lilly reports that the drug slowed cognitive decline by 35% compared to a placebo.
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In a new mouse study, scientists led by Prof David Rubinsztein (UK DRI at Cambridge) have revealed that a repurposed HIV drug can restore the brain’s ability to clear out toxic proteins, which is impaired in Huntington’s disease and other forms of dementia. The research, published in the journal Neuron, offers clues to how the build-up of toxic proteins could in future be slowed or prevented in humans.
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Translating discoveries from the lab into the clinic is a key part of the UK DRI’s mission. However, there can sometimes be a disconnect between discovery and clinical research, resulting in challenges in turning research findings into tangible impacts for patients. Early career researchers (ECRs) from the UK DRI’s Vascular Theme discussed current issues in translating from lab to clinic and back again, at a lively workshop in Edinburgh.
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A new study, led by Prof Siddharthan Chandran and Prof Josef Priller (UK DRI at Edinburgh), has revealed that the essential waste clearance role within microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, is impaired in motor neuron disease (MND). The study, published in Science Advances, provides a potential new target for future drug discovery.
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Dr Amanda Heslegrave (UK DRI at UCL) runs the UK DRI Biomarker Factory alongside Prof Henrik Zetterberg. Dr Heslegrave took part in the Royal Society Pairing Scheme 2023, a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the inner workings of parliament and insight into how policy is shaped. Here, she shares how her week in Westminster went.
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We are delighted to announce that Prof Joanna Wardlaw (UK DRI at Edinburgh) has been awarded the 2024 Biochemical Society Award for Sustained Excellence.
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Researchers across the UK DRI are looking into the causes, effects and impact of Parkinson’s disease, the fastest growing neurological condition that currently affects 145,000 people in the UK. As part of a major programme of work across the Institute, we recently brought together a group of early career researchers to discuss their work, share ideas and facilitate new collaborations at a lively meeting. Ahead of World Parkinson’s Day, we spoke to three ECRs who attended the meeting. They told us why they’re excited about their work, what’s happening in the wider Parkinson’s research field, and recounted their highlights from the meeting.
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A new study, led by Dr William McEwan (UK DRI at Cambridge), has uncovered insight into the mechanisms underlying an experimental antibody therapy that could be used to target protein deposits in the Alzheimer’s brain. Scientists say the study, published in the journal Science, will enable the optimisation of future immunotherapy drugs.
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Scientists in Cambridge and Berlin, led by Prof Giovanna Mallucci, have used a form of gene therapy to increase levels of the so-called ‘cold shock protein’ in the brains of mice, protecting them against the potentially devastating impact of prion disease.
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This week we welcomed former BBC tech correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones, to the living lab at our UK DRI Care Research & Technology Centre. During the visit, Rory, who is living with Parkinson’s, found out more about how smart technology can improve the lives of people affected by dementia and took part in the ongoing study. He shared his experience in the blog post below.
In a new study led by Prof Giampetro Schiavo and Dr James Sleigh (UK DRI at UCL), researchers have developed a new treatment strategy to combat an inherited neuromuscular condition known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
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The Government has today named two leaders in dementia research to spearhead the ambitious national Mission to tackle dementia: Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, and Nadeem Sarwar, a senior leader at Eisai.
Yesterday (15 March) the Government's Spring Budget was announced in Parliament, with an emphasis on innovation to boost growth. UK DRI Director Prof Bart De Strooper comments.
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