Dementia Researcher Blogs

Hannah Hussain - Can fasting help prevent dementia?

Hannah Hussain narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
As we’re in the middle of the holy month of Ramadhan, this got Hannah to thinking... was there a deeper, scientific reason behind fasting. Perhaps a reason that could not be explained at the time. Whether you are Muslim or not, the benefits of intermittent fasting are evident through new and ongoing research. Some of the most renowned doctors promote fasting, all with a slightly different lens based on their area of interest. For example, Dr Ethan Weiss discusses the advantages to cardiological health and weight loss. Dr Rahul Jandial discusses the benefits in terms of increasing your brain’s natural growth factors and improving cognition. Dr Jason Fung is the world leading expert on intermittent fasting and low-carb diets, he discusses a broad range of advantages to this practice from regulating hormone levels to cellular repair. So, we know there are so many benefits – but does fasting impact dementia onset? And if so… how? Hannah explores in this blog.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-can-fasting-help-prevent-dementia/
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Hannah Hussain is a PhD Student in Health Economics at The University of Sheffield. As a proud third generation  migrant and British-Asian, her career path has been linear and ever evolving, originally qualifying as a Pharmacist in Nottingham, then Health Economics in Birmingham. Her studies have opened a world into Psychology, Mental Health and other areas of health, and with that and personal influences she found her passion for dementia.
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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  

Dr Anna Volkmer - Aphasia, public awareness

Dr Anna Volkmer, narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
As a researcher and a clinician, it is part of Anna's mission (so to speak) to spread awareness of some of the lesser known aspects of dementia. In her case it is the language difficulties, known as ‘aphasia’, and speech difficulties, known as ‘apraxia’ or ‘dysarthria’. Having this kind of impact is slow work. But earlier this month, following a terribly sad announcement from Bruce Willis’ family, public awareness has been dramatically altered. In this blog Anna provides some insights for those looking to learn more.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-aphasia-public-awareness/
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Dr Anna Volkmer is a Speech and Language Therapist and researcher in Language and Cognition, Department of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London. Anna is researching Speech and language therapy interventions in language led dementia and was once voted scariest speech and language therapist (even her children agree).
If you would like to write for us, or join out team of regular contributors, drop us a line - dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk

Dr Yvonne Couch - How to Present your Research

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
This time Yvonne goes through the ins and outs of a good scientific presentation. What to do and what not to do. Yvonne asks that you bear in mind that she not an expert presenter. Excitable yes, expert no. But I she does know what doesn’t work and that’s important. Yvonne goes through the rough outline you might take in your presentation and talk through what you need to consider for each part, then we’re going to lay down some rules, then she is going to to let you loose to inspire the world (and not bore your colleagues).
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-present-your-work/
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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 Sam Moxon - How to Nail Your Conference Abstract

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
What’s that you say? An IN PERSON conference? Sign me up!!!
You may have noticed in recent months that more and more conferences are promising an in person experience this year. For Sam, this is extremely exciting. He loves conferences and has really missed seeing his friends, colleagues and collaborators (people can be all three!). There is no better place to make new connections, see some exciting new data and let your hair down than a conference. Some our closest collaborators are people we meet in the pub after the end of that day’s sessions (Top Tip: Always take the opportunity to go to one.) First, however, you need to submit your conference abstract. In most cases, your institute will only send you to a conference (they have to pay remember) if you are going to present something. That means you have to prepare and submit an abstract. So how do you do that? In this month’s blog, Sam gives you the best tips to write the perfect abstract.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-do-we-need-to-peer-review-the-process-of-peer-review/
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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

Beth Eyre - Networking: what is it and how do you approach it as a PhD student?

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
When Beth first began her PhD, she heard the word ‘networking’ all the time, it was thrown about in all of my introductory sessions and training reports but she actually had no idea what it really was, or most importantly what it entailed. So, in this blog Beth writes about some of the things she has learned about networking and some things that may help you network during your own PhD.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-networking-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-approach-it-as-a-phd-student/
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  

Hannah Hussain - The impact of furry friend’s on people with dementia…

Hannah Hussain narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
All pet owners know that the bond that they have with their furry friend is hard to explain. And with nearly 50% of the general UK adult population being pet owners – I’m sure quite a lot of you can probably relate. They boost our serotonin and they are just our everything! We know how much they can do for people, providing that unconditional companionship, so what can they do for people with dementia? Well, Hannah wanted to find out more, so she did what any researcher would do – a good old database search and found some interesting results… listen to find out more.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-impact-of-furry-friends-on-people-with-dementia/
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Hannah Hussain is a PhD Student in Health Economics at The University of Sheffield. As a proud third generation  migrant and British-Asian, her career path has been linear and ever evolving, originally qualifying as a Pharmacist in Nottingham, then Health Economics in Birmingham. Her studies have opened a world into Psychology, Mental Health and other areas of health, and with that and personal influences she found her passion for dementia.
--
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  

Nathan Stephens - Redressing the ‘gold standard’ for evaluating complex interventions

Nathan Stephens narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Nathan discusses brings forward a debate in the area of evaluating complex interventions. Traditional linear outcome orientated methods of evaluation rooted in positivistic assumptions, such as many standalone RCTs, while providing high levels of rigour, fail to capture emergent outcomes which are the “hallmark of complex programs”. However, the popular opinion that RCTs are the ‘gold standard’ is quickly being redressed, especially for the evaluation of social programmes and even policy change. Traditional techniques have there merits and are defensible choice, but not the ‘best’!
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-redressing-the-gold-standard-for-evaluating-complex-interventions/
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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.

Marianne Cranwell - On feeling qualitative research, being naïve, and a wee bit of crying

Marianne Cranwell narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In her first blog for Dementia Researcher, Marianne shares the tale of her unexpected emotional journey. During her PhD project with carers of people living with dementia, she learned how it felt to do qualitative research with people who are living through some of their most difficult moments - she explores how this made her feel, the impact on her research and what she has learned along the way.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-on-feeling-qualitative-research-being-naive-and-a-wee-bit-of-crying/
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Marianne Cranwell is a PhD Candidate in the School of Education and Social Work & School of Health Sciences at the University of Dundee. When not wrangling her two children, Marianne is undertaking qualitative longitudinal research that explores the experiences of co-habiting informal carers of people living with dementia when homecare begins. This research is inspired by her time working in social care, and the families she met during this time where the emphasis was put on the service and the person living with dementia and not on their loved ones.
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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.

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Do equality, diversity & inclusion policies provide sufficient support for ECRs?

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Over recent years academic institutions have increasingly sought to establish policies to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives amongst students and university staff. On paper, this sounds like a progressive move towards balancing inequalities which people from under-represented groups face, but how effective have these initiatives been in practice? In this blog, Kamar reflects on whether EDI policies provide sufficient support for early career researchers (ECRs), and considers the wider impact they might have on dementia research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-do-equality-diversity-inclusion-policies-provide-sufficient-support-for-ecrs/
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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.