Summary

The following is a summary of research groups and projects at the Dementia Research Centre (DRC). Please click on the name of the group or project below to learn more.

The Clinical Trials team at the Dementia Research Centre runs a number of clinical trials. These treatment trials are vitally important to allow us to develop and test medicines that may slow the progression of diseases causing dementia, or even prevent the onset of symptoms.

The Brain Behaviour Group at UCL Dementia Research Centre (BBG)

PI: Prof Jason Warren

Our work aims to identify and define the cognitive and physiological changes that link damaging proteins spreading through brain networks to specific symptoms experienced by people with dementia, particular the frontotemporal dementias and Alzheimer’s disease. Our core focus is the processing of complex sounds, such as speech, voices and music.

Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD)

PI: Prof Nick Fox

We see people with familial Alzheimer's disease as part of a several different studies that aim to improve our understanding of the disease and the early detection and monitoring of changes - all with the goal of finding effective treatments.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)

PI: Prof Jon Rohrer

GENFI is an international multicentre study in Europe and Canada investigating genetic forms of FTD. The aim is to develop markers that can be used in clinical trials to help know when we should be treating people, and how to know that the treatment is working. The Longitudinal Investigation of FTD (LIFTD) study is a cohort study of sporadic (non-genetic) FTD. The study aims to develop markers that will help with early diagnosis of FTD and understand the progression of disease. It also aims to understand the complex symptoms of FTD and how these relate to changes in brain function and structure.

The MRC National Survey of Health and Development Neuroimaging sub-study (Insight 46)

PI: Prof Jon Schott

Insight 46 is a neuroimaging sub-study of the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD; also known as the British 1946 Birth Cohort). The specific aims of the sub-study are firstly to identify the brain changes that accompany healthy ageing; and secondly to see if brain changes can be detected that in due course might help predict who is at risk of developing dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease in particular.

Minimal Interval Resonance Imaging in Alzheimer's Disease (MIRIAD)

PI: n/a

The Minimal Interval Resonance Imaging in Alzheimer's Disease (MIRIAD) dataset is a series of longitudinal volumetric T1 MRI scans of 46 mild-moderate Alzheimer's subjects and 23 controls. It consists of 708 scans, with accompanying information on gender, age and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

PI: Prof Rimona Weil

We aim to shed light on how Parkinson’s Disease can affect thinking and memory. Our ultimate goal is to develop treatments to slow the progression of dementia in Parkinson’s Disease.

Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA)

PI: Dr Keir Yong

There are a number of studies which aim to understand the causes of posterior cortical atrophy and improve diagnosis and support for people living with posterior cortical atrophy.

Rare Dementia Support Impact Study (RDS Impact)

PI: Prof Seb Crutch

The aim of our research is to explore the impact of support on people living with, at-risk, or alongside a person with rare dementias.

Stable Isotope Labelling Kinetics (SILK) Group

PI: Dr Ross Paterson

The aim of our group is to use the SILK method to a) interrogate disease mechanisms and b) measure treatment responses across a range of neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on early phase clinical trials.

White Matter Disease Project

PI: Dr Jo Barnes

Jo Barnes and her collaborators work together to collectively try to understand the impact of white matter disease on the presentation and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.