Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Sam Moxon - The Aduhelm Paradox

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for NIHR Dementia Researcher.
If you're a member of the public, you may think Aducanumab is the miracle dementia drug we've been waiting for, so why do many researchers disagree? Dr Sam Moxon explores in this blog.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk 

Beth Eyre - The importance of taking a break

Beth Eyre, narrates her blog written for NIHR Dementia Researcher.
This month Beth takes a break from the lab, and discusses the importance of taking a break, and how it can actually help your work.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

Dr Christine Toomey - How does the brain bank work

Dr Christina Toomey, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Christina has worked at the Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders for 10 years, in this post we hear about her and the work of the brain bank and how it helps researchers across the world.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk 
Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line.

UK Alzheimer’s Society opens new grant funding round

It’s been a rocky year and a bit for both research funders and researchers, but Alzheimer’s Society in the UK is pleased to announce that they have opened a call for new grant applications, closing 16th September 2021.
What kind of research does the Society fund?
As with previous grant rounds, our research funding is organised in two streams. In both streams, we will consider research related to any type of dementia and associated conditions.
Biomedical research. This includes but is not limited to preclinical, clinical, and translational work, brain tissue research, discovery and validation of biomarkers, neuropsychology, symptom management, and clinical trials.
Care, implementation, and public health research. This includes but is not limited to research related to the five goals of our Dementia Research Roadmap (prevention, maximising benefits, quality of life, enabling the dementia workforce, and quality and inclusivity of care). This research can be done through primary data collection or secondary analyses and should be focused on the needs of people with dementia, their families and informal carers, and/or professionals working in the field.
What kind of grants are available?
In this round we’ll be funding the following types of grants:
PhD studentships. Applications need to be made by the prospective supervisor and can be with or without a named student, so if you want us to fund your PhD, the first step is to contact the institution you’d like to host you, or the supervisor you want to work with.
Clinician and healthcare professionals training fellowships. These are for professionals working in dementia clinical or health services who want to work towards a higher research degree, usually a PhD. However, unlike our PhD studentships, you can apply directly to us rather than going through a supervisor.
Clinical training partnerships. Like the clinician and healthcare training fellowships, these are to support professionals working in dementia clinical or health services who want to work towards a higher degree. However, this grant is for institutions who want to support two or three fellows at a time, and the application should be made by someone working at that institution.
Research fellowships. These are for postdoctoral researchers who want to demonstrate their potential to be an independent researcher. As a guide, you should be looking to apply at this level if your PhD viva was in the last five years.
Senior fellowships. These are for researchers who want to build on an established track record in dementia research. You’ll need to be a minimum of five years from your PhD viva to apply at this level.
Project grants. These larger grants are for established researchers who want to carry out world-class dementia research.
For more information visit:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/alzheimers-society-opens-new-grant-funding-round/

Felicity Slocombe - Introductions

Felicity Slocombe, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Meet new staff blogger Felicity Slocombe, PhD Student from Loughborough University, researching interactions and identity in dementia. In her first blog we're eased in with an introduction to her background, motivations and work.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk 
Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line.

Dr Yvonne Couch -The Hunt for Tiny Messengers

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Extracellular Vesicles. Where do they come from, what do they do? How do they do it and why are they interesting + relevant to dementia? Yvonne explains in this blog.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk 
Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line.

Social Isolation and Loneliness - ISTAART Research Perspectives Special

This week is #LonelinessAwarenessWeek – to raise awareness of the challenges of social isolation, and how this can lead to loneliness, and the connection to Dementia, we worked with The Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART), and the Global Brain Health Institute (GHBI) to record this special podcast.
The impacts of SI/L (social isolation/loneliness) on the health and longevity of older adults is substantial. Researchers have found that social isolation or loneliness in older adults is associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia. With 5-25% of people over the age of 65% saying they experience SI/L, prior to the pandemic, it is now surprise that the situation has only worsened in the last 18 months.
Journalist, Writer and GHBI Fellow, Fernando Aguzzoli Peres discovers different perspectives of the challenges that come from SI/L, and the Research that is working to understand the issue and help.
To get a first-hand of the difficulties and how one person is overcoming them, Fernando talks with Laureen Waters, Alzheimer’s Association National Early Stage Advisory Board Member who is herself living with a diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, living in Clover, South Carolina.
To understand more about the research, how SI/L affects people and the impact we hear from Brian Lawlor, who is a Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, and Deputy Executive Director of the GBHI. Brian is a psychiatrist with an interest in dementia, late-life depression, loneliness and brain health. Brian has worked for over 30 years on developing services and delivering care to people with dementia. His research interests range from early detection and prevention to evaluating new treatments for dementia.
You can find out more about our panellists, and their work on our website:www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
For more information on this sensitive and important issue visit:
In the USA - bit.ly/2RNF7NyIn the UK - bit.ly/35cCvf6#LoneLinessAwarenessWeek - bit.ly/35duvKM
For information on ISTAART Visit - www.alz.org/istaart_________________________
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This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Morgan Daniel - MSc Dissertation

Morgan Daniel, narrates her blog written for NIHR Dementia Researcher.
Morgan discusses her MSc dissertation, how to choose a project, supervision and tips getting through the writing.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk 

Dr Clarissa Giebel - It is the season of research grant deadlines

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for NIHR Dementia Researcher.
Clarissa shares tips on how to keep on top of things when you're applying for multiple grants (could apply to jobs too)
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk