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Targeting DNA repair for dementia treatments

To bring together expertise and identify strategies for translation in this emerging field, we formed the DNA repair theme in September 2020. Leading the collective are Group Leaders Prof Vincent Dion (UK DRI at Cardiff) and Dr Gabriel Balmus (UK DRI at Cambridge), who are working to develop ambitious research ideas, coordinate resource sharing and promote cross-centre collaborative schemes through regular, focused meetings and workshops. We spoke to Prof Dion and Dr Balmus to find out more about why DNA repair is an exciting avenue to explore in dementia, what activities are happening in the theme and future plans.

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Searching the genome for the next treatments in dementia: in conversation with Dr Emmanouil Metzakopian

As we unpick the underlying causes of neurodegeneration, the emerging picture is getting more complex with the involvement of several players and mechanisms. This offers great opportunity for treatment at different stages of disease, however, there is still a significant challenge in selecting viable components and pathways for drug targeting. We spoke to Dr Emmanouil Metzakopian, Group Leader from UK DRI at Cambridge, who is harnessing and combining the latest genetic technologies to identify these promising candidates, with the ultimate aim of collaborating with industry and developing much-needed treatments for dementia.

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Prof Giovanna Mallucci receives Potamkin Prize, regarded the ‘Nobel Prize of Alzheimer’s research’

The prestigious 2021 Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick's, Alzheimer's and Related Diseases has been awarded to Prof Giovanna Mallucci, UK DRI Centre Director and van Geest Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, for her work into the loss of synapses in neurodegenerative disease. The accolade is shared with Dr Ken Kosik, a Harriman Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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The British Neuroscience Association announces Prof Tara Spires-Jones as their new President-Elect

The UK DRI congratulates Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Group Leader at UK DRI and Personal Chair of Neurodegeneration and Deputy Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, as she is revealed as the British Neuroscience Association’s (BNA) new President-Elect.

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New translational award programme provides a boost for promising dementia projects

We are delighted to announce the first recipients of the brand-new UK DRI Translation Award programme, an initiative to kick-start promising ideas and projects that have the potential to transform the lives of those affected by dementia.

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5 reasons to catch the ‘ageing and dementia’ stream at BNA2021

In just a few weeks’ time, the BNA Festival of Neuroscience 2021 will kick off with four fantastic days of research symposia, workshops, special events and poster sessions. Bringing together nearly 20 different organisations, the virtual conference promises to be a true celebration of international neuroscience research! We’re proud to be supporting the event as official Festival Partner and have curated a stream of events around the theme of ‘ageing and dementia.’

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Positive peer pressure: new study reveals how cells cooperate to maintain healthy brain microenvironment

A research team led by Dr Jing Qiu and Prof Giles Hardingham from the UK DRI at Edinburgh, has identified key signals sent between cells to maintain a healthy microenvironment in the brain. The findings will improve current brain research methods and point to new strategies to counteract harmful changes seen in ageing and neurodegenerative disease.

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Making the case for research this Brain Awareness Week

As we continue to celebrate this year’s Brain Awareness Week, Mark Heffernan (UK DRI) and Joseph Clift (BNA) look back on what has been a challenging year for researchers, and highlight opportunities for more support.

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Researchers move a step closer to understanding the genetics behind dementia in people with Down syndrome

Researchers led by Dr Frances Wiseman from UK DRI at UCL have shed more light on the causes of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease associated with Down syndrome. Pinpointing the genes responsible may lead to treatments that target this neurodegenerative condition in people with Down syndrome, as well benefiting those in the broader population.

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Head injuries may worsen cognitive decline decades later

People who experienced head injuries in their 50s or earlier score lower than expected on cognitive tests at age 70, according to a study co-led by Prof Nick Fox at UK DRI at UCL.

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Choose to challenge: UK DRI women celebrate International Women’s Day

March 8 2021 marks the 110th International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is Choose to Challenge. Here at the UK DRI, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inspiring place for women to work and study.

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More pilots get the go-ahead for take-off: third round of awards announced

We are delighted to announce the six awardees in the third round of the UK DRI Pilot Studies programme – an initiative designed to encourage UK DRI early career researchers to take the next step towards independence and consider new avenues of research aimed at understanding or treating neurodegenerative diseases.

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Researchers find subtle symptoms that could allow earlier detection of vascular dementia

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of 81 studies investigating neuropsychiatric symptoms in cerebral small vessel disease, suggests that apathy, fatigue, and delirium are associated with more severe disease. Researchers hope that these subtle symptoms could be used to screen individuals at high risk of developing the disease.

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Researchers identify new disease mechanism to rescue brain connections lost in neurodegenerative disease

An international team of researchers led by Prof Patrik Verstreken at VIB-KU Leuven has succeeded in reversing the harmful effects of Tau, a protein implicated in over 20 different diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. Carried out in collaboration with UK DRI researchers, the promising animal model study is an important first step in the exploration of a new therapeutic avenue targeting cognitive decline.

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UK DRI endorses ALBA declaration on equity and inclusion

The UK DRI is proud to endorse the new ALBA declaration on equity and inclusion.

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Non-invasive brain stimulation therapy offers hope to people with tremors

A team led by UK DRI Group Leader at Imperial, Dr Nir Grossman, has discovered a way of suppressing aberrant synchronous oscillations in the brain, which cause the tremors associated with some brain disorders.

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UK and EU move towards post-Brexit research cooperation

The UK DRI welcomes news that the UK and EU have agreed, in principle, UK association to the EU's Horizon Europe research programme

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Joining the dots of dementia research: In conversation with Professor Caleb Webber

To be successful in drug discovery, researchers must look beyond their own work to the bigger picture, and identify opportunities to set in motion the steps necessary to translate discoveries into treatments. This process can’t be undertaken alone – it necessarily means involving other key partners, including industry, and problem solving in new ways. It can be a daunting task, but is a fundamental step in making our research have real-world impact, especially when facing a challenge like dementia, for which there are currently no disease-modifying treatments. For Professor Caleb Webber, Group Leader at UK DRI at Cardiff, this comes naturally, and the process of meeting, discussing and discovering with others is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of the job.

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Motor neurone disease could be treated by boosting energy in nerve cells

A team of UK DRI researchers has shed light on the potential of improving the metabolic function of mitochondria as a potential treatment for motor neurone disease.

New European alliance formed to tackle urgent challenge of neurodegenerative diseases

Top research institutes from Germany, France, Belgium and the UK have formed a new alliance to combat neurodegenerative diseases.