September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a chance to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. Throughout the month, we have been shining a spotlight on our brilliant research community, highlighting and celebrating the breadth of research taking place at the UK DRI.
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In this article Prof Adrian Isaacs (UK DRI at UCL) discusses his research journey, what he has learned from setbacks, the success of his project harnessing the fruit fly and why the support of the UK DRI has been invaluable to his lab’s development. This piece is part of our ‘Develop’ series, showcasing the UK DRI's mission to discover the causes of neurodegeneration, develop possible treatments and deliver solutions for healthy ageing.
A unique protein normally involved in the body’s immune response to viruses, could hold the key to safer immunotherapy treatment for Alzheimer’s, says Prof Will McEwan. This article is part of our ‘Develop’ series, showcasing the UK DRI's mission to discover the causes of neurodegeneration, develop possible treatments and deliver solutions for healthy ageing.
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The first results from the innovative platform trial, MND-SMART, have been published in the journal The Lancet Neurology today. Led by Prof Siddharthan Chandran (UK DRI Director), Prof Suvankar Pal (UK DRI Co-Investigator) and the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, the trial aims to significantly speed up delivery of new treatments for motor neuron disease (MND).
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A new mouse study led by Prof David Attwell (BHF-UK DRI Centre for Vascular Dementia Research) has found that a repurposed drug could reverse the effects of the decrease in brain blood flow that occurs in early Alzheimer’s. The research, published in Nature Neuroscience, could lead to new treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions involving reduced brain blood flow, such as vascular dementia.
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A team of scientists from the UK DRI at Cambridge and the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (MRC LMB) have developed new therapies that selectively remove aggregated tau proteins, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and improve symptoms of neurodegeneration in mice.
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Prof Joanna Wardlaw (UK DRI at Edinburgh) is setting up the first phase III trial in cerebral small vessel disease aimed at improving cognitive symptoms by repurposing two drugs. This article is part of our ‘Deliver’ series, showcasing the UK DRI's mission to discover the causes of neurodegeneration, develop possible treatments and deliver solutions for healthy ageing.
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Brain waves can be manipulated whilst in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a sleep stage associated with memory and cognition, a new study from the University of Surrey and the UK DRI Centre for Care Research & Technology finds. Novel technology, using sound stimulation, allows scientists to speed up brain activity which becomes slower in people with dementia during this sleep stage.
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We are pleased to announce three new UK DRI Emerging Leaders: Dr Maura Malpetti, Dr Anna Mallach, and Dr Valeria Jaramillo.
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In the search for a possible solution for people who are affected by Huntington's, Prof Vincent Dion has developed an innovative gene editing technique, harnessing technology based on CRISPR to correct the mutation and halt the progression of the disease. This article is part of our ‘Discover’ series, framed by the UK DRI's mission to discover the causes of neurodegeneration, develop possible treatments and deliver solutions for healthy ageing.
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Prof Timothy Constandinou is working on pioneering radar technology that is about to be deployed into people’s homes for the first time. We caught up with Tim to find out more about the potential impact of these devices, and explore his other innovations in the field of Deep Brain Stimulation. This article is part of our ‘Deliver’ series, showcasing the UK DRI's mission to discover the causes of neurodegeneration, develop possible treatments and deliver solutions for healthy ageing.
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As part of our "Develop" series, framed by the UK DRI's mission to discover the causes of neurodegeneration, develop possible treatments and deliver solutions for healthy ageing, this article dives into the motivations and research of UK DRI Emerging Leader Dr Sophie Morse, to understand how to use ultrasound as a treatment.
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Today the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved lecanemab for use in the UK to treat early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. However, draft guidance released simultaneously by NICE, has said that the benefits of the new drug are too small to justify the costs, and therefore has not recommended it for availability on the NHS. Here, UK DRI researchers respond to the news.
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Earlier this year, data scientists from the UK DRI and beyond gathered for an exciting course, jointly organised by the UK DRI and EMBL-EBI, aimed at equipping dementia researchers with the skills to access and analyse data.
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A major new research hub involving UK DRI researchers and led by UCL and the University of Cambridge, aims to harness quantum technology to improve early diagnosis and treatment of disease.
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A report by the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care, concludes that addressing 14 modifiable risk factors, starting in childhood and continuing throughout life, could prevent or delay nearly half of dementia cases. Here, UK DRI researchers respond to the new report.
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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Juliet Morris as Chief People and Culture Officer commencing September 2024.
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Today, the European Medicines Agency has made the decision not to approve lecanemab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Here, UK DRI researchers comment on the news.
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Research into the life-shortening neurological condition motor neuron disease (MND) will receive a major boost through the formation of a new data catalyst led by Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) and Dementias Platforms UK (DPUK), supported by the UK DRI.
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A study led by Dr Marc Aurel Busche (UK DRI at UCL) reveals a key role in Alzheimer’s progression for oligodendrocytes, as producers of harmful amyloid beta protein in the brain. The research, published in the journal PLOS Biology, could lead to new specific treatments for the condition that exhibit fewer side effects.
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