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UK DRI Grand Challenge: developing a functional circuit biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease

With emerging treatments for Alzheimer's on the horizon, it is critical that people can be diagnosed early in the disease for intervention to be most effective. To aid this, scientists are looking to 'biomarkers’ - biological measures or ‘signposts’. In this new UK DRI Grand Challenge, Dr Marc Aurel Busche and a team of collaborators will carry out animal and human studies in parallel, to develop a new functional biomarker for Alzheimer's that measures subtle changes to the brain’s circuitry in the earliest stages of disease.

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Concordat on Openness: UK DRI signs four key pledges on transparency about animal research

We are pleased to become a signatory of the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK, joining a large coalition of world-class research organisations that are committed to transparency about animal research.

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Solving the protein puzzle in Alzheimer’s: in conversation with Dr Kathryn Bowles

We caught up with our newest Group Leader, Dr Kat Bowles (UK DRI at Edinburgh) ahead of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, to find out more about her passion for her research, the stresses involved with setting up a new lab, and how the unwavering support of other women has lifted her up throughout her career.

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First treatment hopes for targeting strokes linked to dementia

Two cheap and common drugs could be re-purposed as the first specific treatment for people who experience a type of stroke linked to nearly half of all dementias, according to the results of a trial led by Prof Joanna Wardlaw (UK DRI at Edinburgh), presented at the American Heart Association International Stroke Conference.

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Major funding sets UK DRI on track for next phase of dementia discovery research

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) was launched in 2017 with the single largest investment made in dementia research to date from founding funders the Medical Research Council, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Alzheimer’s Society. Now, the Institute’s contribution and determination through its first five years has been recognised by a panel of international experts and peers, which awarded it a score of excellent in its first major review. As a result, the Medical Research Council has committed £131m, as part of a collective commitment with our other founding funders, of £150 million for the next five years.

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New study uncovers why connections in the brain are lost during Alzheimer’s disease

Research led by Dr Soyon Hong (UK DRI at UCL) has uncovered a new molecular mechanism underlying synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, could provide new targets for future drug discovery.

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New funding awarded to explore the role of protein interactions in neurodegeneration

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the second round of the UK DRI Collaborative Proteomics Studies Award Programme. This programme is designed to encourage UK DRI researchers to incorporate mass-spectrometry-based proteomics into their work and help them to establish new collaborations.

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Gene expression dampened in synapses to protect against cognitive decline

A new study, led by Prof Tara Spires-Jones and Dr Declan King (UK DRI at Edinburgh), has identified molecular changes in the brain associated with maintaining healthy cognitive abilities in old age. The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, could provide a new therapeutic approach to improving cognition in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

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Genetics, microglia and complement: fourth round of cross-centre postdocs announced

We are delighted to announce the latest recipients of our cross-centre postdoctoral awards – a scheme designed to stimulate exciting new academic relationships and encourage collaboration between researchers across our seven centres. The five projects awarded in this round will investigate the genetics of different neurodegenerative diseases, the role of microglia in Alzheimer’s, and more.

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UK DRI roundtable: A clinical and scientific perspective on lecanemab

In September, it was announced that anti-amyloid treatment lecanemab had been successful in slowing cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s. The first of its kind to show clinical benefit, and potentially disease modifying capabilities, the development has been labelled a breakthrough, and even hailed as the ‘beginning of the end’ for life-changing therapies for the condition. Following release of Phase III results, UK DRI hosted a roundtable to dig into the data and what it means for the future of Alzheimer’s treatments and clinical translation.

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2022 in Review: new faces, new discoveries, new hope

As the year draws to a close, we’ve taken a look back at some of the most significant moments for the UK DRI in 2022. From scientific discoveries to new partnerships, it has been another exciting year for the Institute.

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Researchers discover protective role for immune cells in brain health and cognition

Researchers have uncovered a new role for resident brain immune cells in supporting the health of neurons. The study, led by Prof Veronique Miron (UK DRI at Edinburgh), and published in the journal Nature, could pave the way for new treatment opportunities in neurodegeneration.

Making it Brain founder awarded BNA Public Engagement Prize 2022

We are delighted to announce that Sophie Sanford (UK DRI at Cambridge) has today been awarded the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Award for Public Engagement of Neuroscience 2022, for her work pioneering Making it Brain: a free, online careers event for students. The award aims to recognise those that make an outstanding contribution to engaging the public in Neuroscience.

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UK DRI comment on new government investment for MND research

The MND community deserves nothing less than a laser focus on research to drive progress towards greater understanding of this devastating disease. Funding for targeted MND research will boost our efforts to beat it, and this investment by the government is a positive step on that journey.

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Researchers develop new diagnostic tool for Huntington’s disease

Researchers have developed an algorithm that could be used to improve diagnosis of Huntington’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The study, led by Prof Vincent Dion (UK DRI at Cardiff) is published in the journal NAR Genomics and Bioinformatics.

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“I'm not going to give up”: in conversation with 2022 MRC Millennium Medal winner Prof Sarah Tabrizi

For over 25 years, clinical neuroscientist, and UK DRI Group Leader at UCL, Prof Sarah Tabrizi has been at the leading edge of the search for Huntington’s disease treatments. Her breakthroughs have, and continue to, push the field forward at pace and bring real hope to those affected by this heart-breaking neurodegenerative disorder. For her outstanding efforts and achievements, Prof Tabrizi is recognised with this year’s prestigious MRC Millennium Medal. We caught up with Sarah to reflect on her career to date, passion for scientific investigation and tireless drive to deliver a cure for her patients at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), part of UCLH.

MRC announces Millennium Medal winners and Impact Prize finalists

UK DRI neuroscientist and neurologist, Prof Sarah Tabrizi, has today been named one of two winners of the prestigious MRC Millennium Medal for her work on Huntington’s disease.

UK DRI joins the Campaign for Science and Engineering, CaSE

We’re pleased to announce that the UK DRI has joined CaSE, the Campaign for Science and Engineering.

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Landmark results from trial of new Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab presented at major conference

Results from Eisai and Biogen’s phase 3 trial of new Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab were presented at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease conference (CTAD) in San Francisco yesterday and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Minister visits UK DRI ahead of reconfirming government’s commitment to the Dementia Mission

We were delighted to welcome Nus Ghani MP, Minister for Industry and Investment Security, to the UK DRI last week, to showcase a range of our research to tackle dementia.