Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Sam Moxon - The Mental Struggle of Living with Chronic Illness

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and Sam thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about something that he has recently started to experience. It’s very much one of those “this is an issue I have and, by talking about it, maybe anyone else affected will find some comfort or useful advice” sort of blogs, for Sam, this is the challenge of living with a chronic illness, and how that can impact your mental health and not just the physical.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-mental-struggle-of-living-with-chronic-illness/
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Dr Sam Moxon is a biomaterials scientist at the University of Manchester. His expertise falls on the interface between biology and engineering. His PhD focussed on regenerative medicine and he now works on trying to develop 3D bioprinting techniques with human stem cells, so that we better understand and treat degenerative diseases. Outside of the lab he hikes through the Lake District and is an expert on all things Disney.
Enjoy listening and reading our blogs? We're always on the look out for new contributors, drop us a line and share your own research and careers advice dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk

Adam Smith - A Mental Health Update

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
It's Mental Health Awareness Week and in this blog Adam discusses his own problems with anxiety, how he is coping and explores where they stem from and why talking about Mental Illness and Mental Health is important, not just to help you, but also to reduce the stigma associated with it. 
The ISTAART / UCL survey of Early Career Dementia Researchers asked about Mental Health - 57% of people who responded said they had experienced Mental Health problems, with Anxiety, Depression and Loneliness being the biggest challenge. Sadly, only 37% said their employers / institutions were helpful, which is terrible when you consider that the same people reported that it impacted their effectiveness at work, confidence, motivation and how they interacted with co-workers and supervisors.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-a-mental-health-update/
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Adam Smith was born in the north, a long time ago. He wanted to write books, but ended up working in the NHS, and at the Department of Health.  He is now Programme Director in the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research (which probably sounds more important than it is) at University College London. He has led a number of initiatives to improve dementia research (including this website, Join Dementia Research & ENRICH), as well as pursuing his own research interests. In his spare time, he grows vegetables, builds Lego & spends most of his time drinking too much coffee and squeezing technology into his house.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

Dr Clarissa Giebel - Who Cares for the Carers?

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, followed by Dementia Action Week next week. So what better time to focus on the mental health of carers for people with dementia and older adults? But who cares for the carers? Clarissa reflects on the challenges for carers and the latest statistics and research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-running-a-journal-club-and-how-to-be-reviewer-2-in-a-safe-environment/
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Dr Clarissa Giebel is a Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool and NIHR ARC North West Coast. Clarissa has been working in dementia care research for over 10 years focusing her research on helping people with dementia to live at home independently and well for longer, addressing inequalities that people with dementia and carers can face. Outside of her day work, Clarissa has also organised a local dementia network - the Liverpool Dementia & Ageing Research Forum, and has recently started her own podcast called the Ageing Scientist.
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If you would like to write your own blog drop us a line, we're always on the look out for new contributors to write about their research, careers + more dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk

Dr Yvonne Couch - The Curse of the Three-Year Fellowship

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
This is going to be an advice column for those of you currently applying or considering applying for fellowships. Pre-warning, Yvonne was having a bad day whilst writing this so it’s going to be grumpy.
There’s a springboard award which she was considering writing this week. So writing this blog probably wasn't the best use of her time... She should be thinking of ideas and reading papers. Because, as it turns out from almost everyone Yvonne talks to, says that she writes a pretty good grant. She knows how to structure it, how to highlight her ideas. She even managed to get fairly far through Wellcome and MRC with little to no input from senior scientists. So we know that Yvonne writes well, and quickly... but currently she isn't doing either.  What she is currently doing is doom-consuming pastry and staring at a blank Word document. Actually, it’s not blank. It contains the following crushing phrase:
End date of current contract (must be after the end date of the proposed 2-year springboard project).. which is a problem!
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-curse-of-the-three-year-fellowship/
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Dr Yvonne Couch is an Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow at the University of Oxford. Yvonne studies the role of extracellular vesicles and their role in changing the function of the vasculature after stroke, aiming to discover why the prevalence of dementia after stroke is three times higher than the average. It is her passion for problem solving and love of science that drives her, in advancing our knowledge of disease. Yvonne has joined the team of staff bloggers at Dementia Researcher, and will be writing about her work and life as she takes a new road into independent research.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - The importance of including both sexes in preclinical dementia research

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In biomedical research there has historically been a tendency towards sole inclusion of males, particularly in preclinical animal studies. The reason has often centred on the potential variability of females relating to fluctuations in hormones which could confound the data. But could this bias towards studying males account for poor translation of preclinical to clinical research? In this blog Kamar discusses the importance of including both sexes in preclinical research, and why this might significantly advance progress in dementia research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-importance-of-including-both-sexes-in-preclinical-dementia-research/
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Teesside University & Affiliate Researcher at Glasgow University. In addition to teaching, Kamar is exploring how neuroinflammation following traumatic brain injury contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases that lead to dementia. Having first pursued a career as an NHS Psychologist, Kamar went back to University in Durham to look at rodent behavioural tasks to completed her PhD, and then worked as a regional Programme Manager for NC3Rs.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Beth Eyre - How to get the most out of your PhD experience

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
By the time this blog is published, Beth will have finished all of her PhD experiments. That’s right, no more countless hours in a dark room. But as she gets closer to the end, Beth is beginning to think about all the opportunities she has been able to seize. So, in this blog to she share with you all some potential opportunities that are available to PhD students that may help you get the most out of your PhD.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-phd-experience/
We're always on the look out for new contributors, if you would like to write and narrate your own blog - drop us a line to dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk
Don't forget to also listen to our fortnightly - published fortnightly, just look for Dementia Researcher in your podcast app.
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Beth Eyre is a PhD Student at The University of Sheffield, researching Neurovascular and cognitive function in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease. Beth has a background in psychology, where she gained her degree from the University of Leeds. Inside and outside the lab, Beth loves sharing her science and we are delighted to have her contributing as a regular blogger with Dementia Researcher, sharing her work and discussing her career. 
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This podcast is brought to you from University College London in association with the National Institute for Health Research, Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support. Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk  

Nathan Stephens - What is Value? A Concept Analysis

Nathan Stephens narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Have you ever been questioned by a supervisor, colleague, or member of the public about what a certain term actually means? For Nathan Stephens, this word was value.
Value quickly became the focal word that the PhD research questions, aims, and methodology grew from. ‘Social Value’ is the primary concept of value that will be used in his PhD. However, it was assumed that being able to conceptualise value in the context of the research more specifically will improve the quality of his thesis. In hindsight, an incredibly optimistic piece of work, Nathan admits that he isn't sure why he thought he could do any better than the likes of Aristotle and Smith. But anyway, he had a crack.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-what-is-value-a-concept-analysis/
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Nathan Stephens is a PhD Student and unpaid carer, working on his PhD at University of Worcester, studying the Worcestershire Meeting Centres Community Support Programme. Inspired by caring for both grandparents and personal experience of dementia, Nathan has gone from a BSc in Sports & Physical Education, an MSc in Public Health, and now working on his PhD.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Masha Burelo - Cannabinoids for better sleep?

Masha Burelo narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Just like drinking coffee to feel awake, many substances can affect the dynamics of our circadian cycle. Cannabinoids are assumed to enhance sleep due to the somnolence caused by certain doses, but can they improve sleep? Masha explores in her latest blog.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-cannabinoids-for-better-sleep/
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Masha Burelo is a PhD Student at the University of Aberdeen. Her research explores Electrophysiology and behavioural evaluation in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease. Masha started her studies in veterinary medicine in Mexico and first became interested in cannabinoids when her dog developed epilepsy, then with close family members struck by Alzheimer's Disease her interest in neuroscience, plants and the brain developed.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

Clíona Farrell - Dementia in Down syndrome and the role of neuroinflammation

Clíona Farrell narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Down syndrome is caused by having a third copy of chromosome 21, and each year on the 21st of March (the 21st day of the third month) World Down syndrome Day is celebrated worldwide. People with Down syndrome are particularly susceptible to COVID-19, so this year the Down syndrome research community came together online. With participants from research studies, their families and friends, they discussed current research advances, offered advice from specialists and celebrated Down syndrome. Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of Alzheimer’s disease, however, few researchers study dementia in this context. Here, Clíona highlights her research in this field and explains the importance of the inclusion of people with Down syndrome in Alzheimer’s research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-dementia-in-down-syndrome-and-the-role-of-neuroinflammation/
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Clíona Farrell is a PhD Student in the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. Her work focuses on understanding neuroinflammation in Down syndrome, both prior to, and in response to, Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Clíona completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience in Trinity College, and then worked as a research assistant in the Royal College of Surgeons studying ALS and Parkinson’s disease. She also knows the secret behind scopping the perfect 99 ice-cream cone..
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.
Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk