Discover

The human brain is bewilderingly complex with huge numbers of cells interconnected in multiple ways surrounded and supported by equally huge numbers of non-neuronal cells. Understanding exactly how our brains work and why they sometimes go wrong as we age is a huge undertaking but one in which progress is accelerating.

Neurons - or nerve cells - are the cells with long intricate processes that make up the wiring of the brain and underpin how we think, remember, feel and move. They interact with other brain and blood cells that provide energy, support, fight infections and clear waste. When this intricate cellular interplay breaks down, the wiring and circuits of the brain become damaged and eventually die. 

The symptoms of neurodegenerative conditions depends on which nerve cells are primarily affected. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, cell damage initially happens to nerves in the memory region of the brain and in Parkinson’s damage to nerves occurs in the back of the brain that controls movement. And in motor neuron disease, the motor nerves of the brain start to prematurely die meaning the signals do not get to the muscles and the muscles ultimately die. 

At the UK DRI we focus on understanding and unpicking the sequence of events that triggers the death of neurons (neurodegeneration), as this is key to precise and effective treatments. 

We believe in the power of studying all neurodegenerative conditions alongside each other as they share common biological processes. For example, it is now clear that key proteins that normally help our brain function in health, start to misbehave in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions. Specifically, these proteins such as alpha-synuclein, tau, amyloid beta and TDP-43 form toxic aggregates or clumps that kill nerve and other brain cells. By focusing on these shared processes at the institute we tackle multiple brain conditions at any one time, leading to discoveries that will benefit a wider range of people, and crucially speeding up progress.

To make discoveries, we have brought together a multi-disciplinary team of world-class scientists and are providing them with access to state-of-the-art technologies and facilities.