Pathology Research, learning about Dementia from Brain Tissue & the Brain Bank

Recorded at the Dementia Research Charity #Chatathon 2022 - Adam Smith interviews Dr Lauren Walker, ARUK Research Fellow at Newcastle University, Dr Megan Torvell, Research Associate in the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University, Dr Keeley Brookes-Baker, Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University and Joe Morgan a PhD Student from University of Salford.

Dr Lauren Walker - My main research interests lie in investigating the effects of multiple pathological lesions on clinical phenotype in neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body disease). Using a quantitative clinico-patholigical approach I aim to tease is distinct clinico-pathologcal phenotypes which may ultimately lead to tailored treatment options for patients. To complete this work, I use donated human brain tissue from Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource and the Brains for Dementia Research initiative.

Dr Megan Torvell - My research uses human postmortem tissue and genetically modified mouse models to understand the role of complement, an important branch of the innate immune system, in Alzheimer's disease.

Dr Keeley Brookes - My research focuses on producing genetic data and analysis for the Brains for Dementia Research (BDR) Project to be used in conjunction with other data generated on this cohort to bridge the gap between genetic risk for dementia and phenotype. My current studies are to try and align current polygenic risk score models with biological outcomes, in order to refine the model to the most relevant genetic variants, therefore increasing the accuracy of the score to predict genetic risk and identify those genes that may be actionable targets for therapeutic intervention.

Joe Morgan - My research is based on investigating the relationship between autophagy and small extrscellular vesicle miRNA cargoes in Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia.

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The 2022 Dementia Research Charity Chatathon LIVE was held on Friday 2nd December - A non-stop 12.5 hours livestream hosted by Adam Smith interviewing 68 Dementia Researchers and Special Guests working across all areas of discovery to beat Alzheimer's disease and all forms of dementia.

Raising money for research and providing insights into the latest research taking place across the UK and Worldwide. This year we are raising money for four amazing charities who all fund research - Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society, Race Against Dementia and The Lewy Body Society.

For more information and to donate visit http://www.chatathon.uk

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Learn more about the new drugs coming to treat Alzheimer's Disea with this video podcast - "A Closer Look at Lecanemab, Donanemab and Amyloid"
   • A Closer Look at Lecanemab, Donanemab...  
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