Dementia Researcher Blogs

Professor Naaheed Mukadam - Understanding Inequalities in Dementia

Professor Naaheed Mukadam, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, Naaheed examines the many inequalities in dementia across age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, and other factors. She highlights how these inequalities affect prevention, diagnosis, and care, while also noting promising interventions that aim to close these gaps. The piece underscores the urgent need for fairer, more inclusive dementia services and research participation..
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-understanding-inequalities-in-dementia/
#DementiaResearch
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Naaheed Mukadam trained as a psychiatrist and is now Professor of Dementia Studies at UCL. She researches inequalities in dementia diagnosis, treatment and care, while also working as a consultant psychiatrist. Outside work, she sings, reads, and collects more books than she probably needs.
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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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
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Adam Smith - The Perfect Study Playlist

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Adam explores the link between music and focus, blending science with personal experience to create a reliable study playlist. He explains why lyrics distract, how tempo influences concentration, and the value of structure in building habits. His playlist, built around ambient piano, lo-fi instrumentals, and calming endings, has become a ritual that signals time to work. The blog encourages readers to experiment with sounds that suit their own study style.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-perfect-study-playlist/
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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
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.
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Dr Clíona Farrell - A World Alzheimer’s Day reflection

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this World Alzheimer’s Day blog, Dr Clíona Farrell shares her reflections while on a career break from postdoctoral research. She considers both the progress and persistent challenges in the field of Alzheimer’s research, from genetic and lifestyle risk factors to the development of new treatments and biomarkers. While funding pressures and lack of diversity remain barriers, recent breakthroughs in therapies and diagnostics bring optimism. Her reflection highlights the importance of continued research, collaboration, and inclusivity in shaping a future where effective treatments and earlier diagnoses are within reach.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-world-alzheimers-day-reflection/
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Dr Clíona Farrell is a Postdoctoral Researcher 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. @ClionaFarrell_--
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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--
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Emily Spencer - Rethinking Balance in Research

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, PhD student Emily shares her reflections after attending the Alzheimer’s Society early career researcher retreat. She explores the myth of achieving perfect work-life balance, admitting how easily boundaries between research and personal life can blur. From compulsively checking emails to neglecting annual leave, Emily considers how fatigue and overcommitment distort priorities. She writes openly about the need to set limits, practise saying no, and protect wellbeing. With her supervisors’ encouragement, she has committed to taking her first family holiday and starting her final PhD year with a renewed sense of balance.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-rethinking-balance-in-research/
#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia
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Emily Spencer is a PhD Student at University College London looking at improving how GPs communicate with people with dementia and their family carers about their future care. Emily previous had a 5 year career break to pursue a career as a musician, and has previously undertaken research on improving the care people with dementia receive from their GP practice, as well as end-of-life and palliative care provision in the community. Emily is also a new mum and will be writing about her experiences navigating motherhood and a research career.
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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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--
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Dr Emma Law - Recruiting Participants for Clinical Trials

Dr Emma Law, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Recruiting participants for clinical trials is one of the toughest barriers in research, particularly in dementia studies where strict inclusion criteria apply. In this guest blog, Dr Emma Law shares her experience on why recruitment is so difficult, the funnel effect of screening, and the limitations of existing tools. She also highlights strategies that work best, including NHS memory clinics, permission-to-contact schemes, and new developments such as the NHS App. Her reflections reveal the challenges and opportunities that can make a difference in speeding up research and treatment access.
 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-recruiting-participants-for-clinical-trials/
#DementiaResearch #ClinicalTrials #Research #TrialDelivery
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Dr Emma Law is Strategic Manager for the The Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network in Scotland. Emma has 13 years experience as a Clinical Trails Network Manager and over 35 years experience as a Nurse, many of which were spent in the delivery of Clinical Research Trials. Emma completed her PhD and is passionate about giving people living with dementia and their carers access to participate in research. 
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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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--
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Dr Clíona Farrell - Genetically determined Alzheimer’s; recap from ADAD-DSAD

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Genetically determined Alzheimer’s disease, though rare, offers key insights into dementia research. In this blog, Dr Clíona Farrell recaps highlights from the ADAD-DSAD conference in Barcelona. Covering autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome-related Alzheimer’s, she explores genetics, APOE’s role in symptom onset, clinical trial progress for anti-amyloid therapies in people with Down syndrome, and the vital importance of lived experience and PPIE in shaping research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-genetically-determined-alzheimers-adad-dsad-recap/
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Dr Clíona Farrell is a Postdoctoral Researcher 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. @ClionaFarrell_--
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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--
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Dr Peter Connelly - Balancing Clinical Research with a Clinical Career

Dr Peter Connelly narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Dr Peter Connelly explores how healthcare professionals can integrate clinical research into their daily practice without needing to dedicate their entire career to it. Drawing on his own experiences, he highlights the benefits of engaging with literature, involving patients, and participating in projects at varying levels. He demonstrates that clinical research and clinical practice are not mutually exclusive but can complement each other, improving care and contributing to progress in dementia treatment.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-balancing-clinical-research-with-a-clinical-career/
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Dr Peter Connelly is a retired Old Age Psychiatrist who spent much of his career in Tayside, helping to establish clinical trials for dementia and neuroprogressive disorders in Scotland. Now working with the Scottish Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, he combines professional insight with personal experience as a former carer. In retirement, he enjoys music, golf, and time with his grandchildren.
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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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--
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Dr Becky Carlyle - Managing the Endless Demands of an Academic Career

Dr Becky Carlyle, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, Becky explores the constant pressures of academia and the impossibility of “having it all.” Drawing on her experiences in both the UK and US, as well as lessons learned from elite sport, she discusses how setting clear long-term goals, building flexibility into plans, and learning when to say no are essential skills. She highlights the value of mentors, conscious decision making, and tailoring priorities to career stage and local context.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-managing-the-endless-demands-of-an-academic-career/--
 
Dr Becky Carlyle is an Alzheimer's Research UK Senior Research Fellow at University of Oxford, and has previously worked in the USA. Becky writes about her experiences of starting up a research lab and progressing into a more senior research role. Becky's research uses mass-spectrometry to quantify thousands of proteins in the brains and biofluids of people with dementia. Her lab is working on various projects, including work to compare brain tissue from people with dementia from Alzheimer’s Disease, to tissue from people who have similar levels of Alzheimer’s Disease pathology but no memory problems. Becky is also a mum, she runs, drinks herbal tea's and reads lots of books. Find Becky on LinkedIn
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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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Delirium and dementia: A neglected area of research?

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali explains the differences between delirium and dementia, while highlighting their complex relationship. She shows how delirium, often misdiagnosed, not only worsens dementia symptoms but can also accelerate diagnosis in those already at risk. With high prevalence in hospitals and care homes, and the treatable nature of delirium, Kam makes the case for why delirium superimposed on dementia deserves more attention from researchers and healthcare professionals.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-delirium-and-dementia-a-neglected-area-of-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 Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
--
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