Dementia Researcher

Dementia Researcher
Dementia Researcher

A biweekly podcast for early career researchers, bringing together fantastic guests to discuss their research, careers + much more. Dedicated to sharing the science, encouraging collaborations, attracting more people to the field, and supporting those already here to succeed. Brought to you by https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk at University College London, in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia - everything you need, all in one place. supporting early career researchers across the world Register today to recieve weekly bulletins, with news, funding opportunities, jobs, and events.

  1. Of Mice and Men… and Toxins: The Environmental Link to Dementia

    MAR 29

    Of Mice and Men… and Toxins: The Environmental Link to Dementia

    In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, guest host Dr Sam Moxon is joined by Dr Adam Schuller, Dr Savannah Rocha-Wrigley, and Megan Hager from Colorado State University's Tjalkens Lab to explore the significant yet often overlooked impact of environmental toxins on dementia and neurodegenerative diseases. This fascinating discussion sheds light on how substances such as pesticides, heavy metals, wildfire smoke, and air pollution can trigger changes in glial cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, which may lead to dementia. The experts share insights into groundbreaking experimental models, imaging technologies, and the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce toxin-related risks. -- Key Topics: 🔷Defining environmental toxins and their relevance to dementia 🔷Role of astrocytes and microglia in neurodegeneration 🔷Translational neurotoxicology models 🔷Advanced AI imaging and analysis techniques 🔷Preventative strategies to mitigate environmental risks Essential links / resources mentioned in the show: Tjalkens Lab - https://bit.ly/4hMLO8w Adam Schuller Website - https://bit.ly/3RmSLCk WHO Air Quality & Health - https://bit.ly/3FIxqkd -- Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. You can also find a video version on our website on YouTube and in Spotify. -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support. -- Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

    46 min
  2. Minds in Motion: Dr Katie Breheny - Health Economics in Dementia Care

    MAR 17

    Minds in Motion: Dr Katie Breheny - Health Economics in Dementia Care

    The Minds in Motion Podcast from Dementia Researcher in association with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations and Alzheimer’s Society, brings together NIHR Dem Comm Research Fellows, to talk about their research and careers. In this second series, we hear from five of the Dem Comm Fellows each taking a turn as co-host and guest. Alongside the researchers we have the incredible Trevor Salomon, Alzheimer’s Society Volunteer & Chair of the European Dementia Carers Working Group as our permanent co-host and anchor. In show Trevor is joined by the guest from our previous show Dr Lis Grey from University of Bristol and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West to interview Dr Katie Breheny. Katy works in the NIHR ARC West and University of Bristol. Katie is a health economist focused on improving the way we assess and value healthcare interventions for people living with dementia. Her research explores how traditional health economic methods can be adapted to better capture wellbeing and quality of life in dementia care. With a background in psychology, Katie’s work spans health economics, patient-reported outcomes, and methodological research, ensuring that economic evaluations reflect the real-world needs of individuals, carers, and service providers. She is particularly interested in making assessments more inclusive and meaningful, while also working on innovative projects such as adapting wellbeing questionnaires and developing personalised digital tools to support dementia care. Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research. For information on the Fellowship visit: http://www.arc-wx.nihr.ac.uk/dem-comm-research-fellows For guest biographies, a full transcript and much more visit: http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast, and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you’ll find a video version of this podcast on our website, YouTube and Spotify. This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support. Follow us on Social Media: http://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ http://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ http://www.bsky.app/profile/dementiare…archer.bsky.social http://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

    26 min
  3. Alzheimer's Research UK Conference Roundup 2025

    MAR 3

    Alzheimer's Research UK Conference Roundup 2025

    Last week we were in Birmingham for this years Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference. Hearing from researchers talking about their work and to learn about the latest discoveries in dementia research. In the show guest host and regular blogger Rebecca Williams talks with Dr Beth Williams, from the UK Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Gargi Roy from Bristol Medical School and Donatella Di Rienzo from the Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute. -- For more information on the event and the great work of Alzheimer’s Research UK visit https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/for-researchers/research-conference Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode – and if you prefer to watch rather than listen, you’ll find a video version of this podcast with full captions on our YouTube Channel: youtu.be/fuB4Y2KSt94 -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support. -- Follow us on Social Media: www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ twitter.com/demrescommunity www.bsky.app/profile/dementiare…archer.bsky.social www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

    53 min
  4. Primary Progressive Aphasia: Keeping Connections Alive

    FEB 17

    Primary Progressive Aphasia: Keeping Connections Alive

    In recognition of the first Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Awareness Day, this episode explores how speech and language therapists are working to support people with PPA to maintain communication and preserve connections with their loved ones. Dr Shalom Henderson is joined by three leading experts in speech and language therapy—Dr Anna Volkmer, Dr Jackie Kindell, and Rosemary Townsend—who are pioneering innovative interventions to help people living with PPA navigate the challenges of language loss. Together, they discuss the impact of this progressive condition on communication and relationships, and the critical role that speech therapy plays in maintaining meaningful conversations. -- Key Topics Discussed: 🔹 Understanding PPA – What is primary progressive aphasia, how does it affect speech and language, and how does it differ from other forms of dementia? 🔹 The Impact on Relationships – How communication difficulties affect personal relationships and contribute to social isolation. 🔹 The Role of Speech & Language Therapy – Exploring tailored interventions, communication partner training, and strategies that help families stay connected. 🔹 Barriers to Accessing Therapy – The challenges people face in getting speech and language therapy, and why more awareness is needed. 🔹 PPA Awareness Day (4th April 2025) – The first international awareness day dedicated to PPA, aiming to improve recognition, research, and support for those affected. -- This episode highlights the power of speech therapy in transforming lives, offering practical advice and real-world insights from clinical experts and researchers. 📢 Join the conversation! Mark your calendars for PPA Awareness Day on 4th April and help spread the word about the importance of early intervention and ongoing support. Essential links / resources mentioned in the show: Primary Progressive Aphasia Day - https://bit.ly/3ELrsOX PPA Awareness on Bluesky - https://bit.ly/4gD8OGt COS-PPA - https://bit.ly/4gFmFMu -- Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. You can also find a video version on our website, in Spotify and on YouTube https://youtu.be/t2k2-UhJjbU. -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support. -- Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social -- Download our new community app: https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

    59 min
  5. ILBD Conference Highlights 2025 - Part One

    FEB 1

    ILBD Conference Highlights 2025 - Part One

    Join us for the first of our two-part special podcast shows, recorded live at the International Lewy Body Dementia Conference in Amsterdam! In this episode postdoc researcher Dr Josh Harvey (University of Exeter) is joined by three expert guests: 🔹 Athina Grigoriou (PhD Student, University of Dundee) 🔹 Dr David Koss (Principal Investigator, University of Dundee) 🔹 Dr Joe Kane (Geriatric Psychiatrist, Queen’s University Belfast) Together, they discuss key highlights from the conference, including cutting-edge research on Lewy body dementia (LBD), Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), and synucleinopathies. Topics include: • The role of DNA damage in LBD and its links to neurodegeneration • A new Lewy Body Dementia Domain Rating Scale and its impact on clinical trials • Advances in biomarkers and imaging for early diagnosis • The latest insights on alpha-synuclein strains and their role in disease progression • Carer perspectives and the importance of peer support networks Whether you're a researcher, clinician, or just curious about the latest in dementia science, this episode is packed with insights from one of the field’s most important global meetings. We hope you will also join us in congratulating our host Josh on being awarded the Rising Star Award by the Conference organisers. For more updates, follow #ILBDC25 on social media or visit https://www.ilbdc2025.com/ -- Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode . -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support. A special thanks to the conference organisers for kindly supporting us to produce this podcast. -- Follow us on social media: http://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ http://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ http://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity http://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher http://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social -- Download our new community app: https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

    48 min
  6. ILBD Conference Highlights 2025 - Part Two

    FEB 1

    ILBD Conference Highlights 2025 - Part Two

    We're back with Part Two of our special highlights podcasts from the International Lewy Body Dementia Conference in Amsterdam! This time, host Dr Sterre de Boer (Alzheimer’s Centre Amsterdam) leads the discussion with a fantastic panel of experts: 🔹 Salomón Salazar-Londoño (Medical Student, Xavierian University, Colombia & ISTAART Ambassador) 🔹 Dr Lauren Walker (Alzheimer’s Research UK Fellow, Newcastle University) 🔹 Dr Felipe Botero Rodriguez (Psychiatrist & Researcher, Stavanger University Hospital, Norway) In this episode, we explore some of the latest breakthroughs and pressing challenges in Lewy body dementia research, including: ✅ The state of DLB research in Latin America, highlighting gaps and opportunities ✅ Neuropathology & biomarker advances – What can pathology teach us about clinical symptoms? ✅ The "Body-First vs. Brain-First" debate – What comes first, and how does it impact diagnosis? ✅ The role of co-pathologies like Alzheimer’s disease and TDP-43 in DLB ✅ How international collaboration is shaping the future of dementia research This episode offers insights for researchers, clinicians, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of Lewy body dementia. If you missed Part One, make sure to catch up before diving into this instalment! -- For more updates, follow #ILBDC25 on social media or visit https://www.ilbdc2025.com/ -- Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode . -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support. A special thanks to the conference organisers for kindly supporting us to produce this podcast. -- Follow us on social media: http://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ http://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ http://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity http://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher http://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social -- Download our new community app: https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

    54 min
  7. Viva La Success: Acing Your PhD Thesis Defence

    JAN 20

    Viva La Success: Acing Your PhD Thesis Defence

    In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, Dr Leah Fullegar discusses the PhD viva experience with three recent graduates who share their insights into the preparation and execution of their defences. Join us to learn from the experiences of Dr Hannah Hussain, Dr Aisling Flynn, and Shalom Henderson, who bring diverse perspectives from their respective fields. Each guest shares valuable insights into the preparation techniques that aided them, as well as reflections on their personal experiences of the viva. For anyone approaching their PhD defence or interested in understanding more about this crucial academic challenge, this podcast provides a comprehensive overview and practical advice. -- Full biographies on all our guests and a transcript can be found on our website: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk -- Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. You can also find a video of our podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2-wMNOh40Lo -- This podcast is brought to you by University College London / UCLH NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in association with Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia who we thank for their ongoing support. -- Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social -- Download our new community app: https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

    38 min
  8. Minds In Motion: Dr Lis Grey - Dementia Service Evaluation & Intervention Development

    JAN 3

    Minds In Motion: Dr Lis Grey - Dementia Service Evaluation & Intervention Development

    The Minds in Motion Podcast from Dementia Researcher in association with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations and Alzheimer’s Society, brings together NIHR Dem Comm Research Fellows, to talk about their research and careers. Over the next few months, we will be releasing the second series, hearing from five of the Dem Comm Fellows each taking e a turn as co-host and guest. Alongside the researchers we have the incredible Trevor Salomon, Alzheimer’s Society Volunteer & Chair of the European Dementia Carers Working Group as our permanent co-host and anchor. In show Trevor is joined by the guest from our previous show Dr Olivia Luijnenburg from King’s College London and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London to interview Dr Elisabeth (Lis) Grey. Lis works in the NIHR ARC West and University of Bristol. Lis is interested in how people with neurodegenerative disorders experience health and care services and is working on developing ways to improve services and support people to live well with these conditions. Lis has had a varied research career – from health services quality and delivery, through public health interventions and social care, and now more secondary and community care. The common threads to this work are health communication – be that between professionals, patient and professional, or to the public – and intervention development and evaluation. Lis mainly uses qualitative methods, particularly interviewing, and she is always excited to hear people’s thoughts and experiences through her work. Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research. For information on the Fellowship visit: http://www.arc-wx.nihr.ac.uk/dem-comm-research-fellows For guest biographies, a full transcript and much more visit: http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk Like what you hear? Please review, like, and share our podcast, and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you’ll find a video version of this podcast on our website & on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dlmu1JiW2Bc This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support. Follow us on Social Media: http://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ http://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ http://www.bsky.app/profile/dementiare…archer.bsky.social http://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

    35 min

    Ratings & Reviews

    5
    out of 5
    2 Ratings

    About

    A biweekly podcast for early career researchers, bringing together fantastic guests to discuss their research, careers + much more. Dedicated to sharing the science, encouraging collaborations, attracting more people to the field, and supporting those already here to succeed. Brought to you by https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk at University College London, in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia - everything you need, all in one place. supporting early career researchers across the world Register today to recieve weekly bulletins, with news, funding opportunities, jobs, and events.

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