The Department has a strong focus on mechanistic dissection of genetic, molecular cellular and neuropathological processes which underlie neurodegeneration in particular diseases and across the neurodegeneration spectrum. A related touchstone of our research is to identify pathophysiological mechanisms and markers that link molecular pathology to clinical phenotypes of neurodegenerative disease. The Department has strong collaborative links with the Dementia Research Institute.
Huntington's Disease Centre
The Huntington’s Disease Centre’s research programme combines cell-based systems with rigorously standardised preclinical target validation to prime mechanistically-driven drug development.
Dementia Research Centre
The Dementia Research Centre (DRC) is a hub for translational clinical research in the dementias. Our aim is to improve the diagnosis, management, care and support of patients and families.
People
Co-Heads of Department are Professors Nick Fox and Sarah Tabrizi. Our highly multidisciplinary and interactive studies span structural, cellular and molecular biology, and neurogenetics.
Training and Education
The Department has a strong commitment to educating the next generation of leading neurodegenerative disease researchers, hosting an extensive portfolio of PhD projects supported by a programme of mentorship and pastoral care. Graduate students benefit from a diverse peer network and regular departmental lectures and seminars featuring international leaders in clinical and basic neurodegeneration research.
The Department directs UCL’s MSc course in dementia neuroscience, which reflects our ethos of spanning bench to bedside and offers unique clinical and basic laboratory learning and research opportunities.
For more information see: Dementia: Causes, Treatments and Research (Neuroscience) (MSc)
Sponsors
External organisations that support our research:
- Alzheimer’s Research UK ; Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) ; Brain Research UK ; CHDI Foundation Inc.; Department of Health; European Huntington’s Disease Network ; European Commission FP7; GlaxoSmithKline; Motor Neurone Disease Association; Medical Research Council (MRC); National Institute for Health Research (NIHR); The Wellcome Trust; The Wolfson Foundation
News
Promising early results from Alzheimer's trial targeting tau
A UCL and UCLH-led clinical trial of a new Alzheimer’s disease medication has shown encouraging results in slowing cognitive decline and reducing the brain protein tau, the researchers report at a major international conference.
14 Jul 2026
UCL trial profiled in Jon Snow documentary on life with Alzheimer’s
A new documentary, 'Jon Snow: A Last Big Story', follows the former Channel 4 News presenter as he navigates life with dementia and his participation in a key clinical trial run by UCL and UCLH.
22 Jun 2026
UCL staff recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
Congratulations to members of UCL’s community who have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding contributions to education, Huntington’s disease, children's oral health and anti-doping in sport.
12 Jun 2026