Welcome to the sixth season of the Dementia Researcher X ISTAART PIA Relay Podcast. This series features interviews with ISTAART PIA committee members talking about their research, the research landscape of their fields, and the work of the ISTAART Professional Interest Areas (PIA) they represent. As we build up to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, join us for daily episodes that showcase the remarkable work being done in various research fields.

In this Relay Podcast episode, Dr Colin Groot interviews Dr Marta Del Campo, Head Fluid Biomarker Facility; Ramón y Cajal Research fellow at BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Center and chair of the ISTAART Biofluid Based Biomarkers PIA. Together, they talk about recent advances in fluid biomarkers in dementia research, and explore the growing role of plasma biomarkers, integration with clinical trials, challenges with reproducibility and diversity, and the promise of proteomics and AI. Marta also reflects on the work of ISTAART, their plans for AAIC, the value of publishing negative findings, and why ISTAART offers vital opportunities for early career researchers.

The Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) convenes the global Alzheimer’s and dementia science community. Members share knowledge, fuel collaboration and advance research to find more effective ways to detect, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Professional Interest Areas (PIA) are an assembly of ISTAART members with common subspecialties or interests.

There are currently 30 PIAs covering a wide range of interests and fields, from the PIA to Elevate Early Career Researchers to Biofluid Based Biomarkers and everything in between.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

Welcome to the sixth season of the Dementia Researcher X ISTAART PIA Relay Podcast. This series features interviews with ISTAART PIA committee members talking about their research, the research landscape of their fields, and the work of the ISTAART Professional Interest Areas (PIA) they represent. As we build up to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, join us for daily episodes that showcase the remarkable work being done in various research fields.

In this episode, Dr Alexa Pichet-Binette interviews Dr Colin Groot, an expert in neuroimaging and atypical Alzheimer's disease from Amsterdam University Medical Centre. They discuss the clinical and biological diversity within atypical variants such as posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), language and behavioural forms, and CBSAD. Colin shares insights into ongoing studies on tau PET, mortality, subtyping PCA, and how ISTAART’s Atypical PIA is pushing forward international collaboration and inclusivity in clinical trials and diagnostic criteria.

The Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment (ISTAART) convenes the global Alzheimer’s and dementia science community. Members share knowledge, fuel collaboration and advance research to find more effective ways to detect, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Professional Interest Areas (PIA) are an assembly of ISTAART members with common subspecialties or interests.

There are currently 30 PIAs covering a wide range of interests and fields, from the PIA to Elevate Early Career Researchers to Biofluid Based Biomarkers and everything in between.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is joined by Dr Ahmad Khundakar from Teesside University, Anna Wilson from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Professor Mani Santhana Krishnan from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to explore the complex and often misunderstood relationship between delirium and dementia.

The discussion unpacks why these two conditions are so frequently confused, how this confusion can lead to misdiagnosis and harm, and why recognising the difference matters deeply, particularly in hospital and care environments. Professor Krishnan shares clinical insights on how delirium manifests and why it is often underdiagnosed, especially in older adults and people with pre-existing cognitive conditions. Anna Wilson highlights how screening tools like the 4AT are helping clinicians respond more effectively, while also emphasising the importance of person-centred care. Dr Khundakar brings both scientific expertise and a deeply personal perspective, sharing how his own family experience of delirium shaped his research and understanding of care needs.

Together, they discuss different forms of delirium, such as hypoactive and hyperactive types, and explore the importance of recognising sudden changes in behaviour. The episode also addresses wider system issues — from gaps in professional training to the need for improved support for families and carers. With an emphasis on prevention, non-drug interventions, and modifiable risk factors, this is an essential conversation for anyone working in dementia research, healthcare, or policy, as well as for families who want to better understand and advocate for their loved ones.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

In this final episode of the current series, Trevor Salomon is joined by Dr Pippa Collins from the University of Southampton to interview Dr Sarah Kate Smith.

Sarah is based at The University of Manchester and NIHR ARC Greater Manchester, and is an NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society Demm Comm Fellow. Her work focuses on brain health and dementia prevention, particularly examining how physical activity in midlife could reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life. With a background in psychology and a PhD in health services research, Sarah brings expertise in creative and inclusive research methodologies that enable the involvement of people living with dementia and their families.

In this conversation, we explore the challenges of dementia prevention research, how risk reduction differs from the idea of outright prevention, and the importance of public and patient involvement in designing ethical and accessible interventions. Sarah also shares insight into an upcoming project exploring access to brain health clinics among minority ethnic groups and reflects on her career journey, motivations, and what keeps her going.

Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast, host Dr Amanda Heslegrave leads an insightful discussion on one of the most promising developments in dementia diagnostics: blood-based biomarkers.

Once a purely research-focused tool, these tests are now moving closer to clinical practice, offering the possibility of earlier, easier, and less invasive diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. But while the science advances rapidly, questions remain about how ready the healthcare system is to adopt them.

Amanda is joined by two expert guests:

Dr Jay Amin, University of Southampton – A clinician specialising in dementia, researching inflammation and immune biomarkers, particularly focused on diagnostics and prognosis.

Dr Mark Roskey, Quanterix – Senior VP involved in developing ultra-sensitive biomarker detection technologies crucial for dementia research.

Together, they explore the current state of play—from recent breakthroughs in markers like p-Tau217 to practical hurdles such as infrastructure, standardisation, and clinician education. They also reflect on ethical considerations surrounding early diagnosis and the importance of cross-sector collaboration to ensure these tools benefit as many people as possible.

Topics Covered:

• The current landscape and promise of blood-based biomarkers
• Recent scientific and technological breakthroughs
• Barriers to clinical implementation and public adoption
• Ethical questions around early diagnosis

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

The Minds in Motion Podcast from Dementia Researcher in association with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations and Alzheimer’s Society, brings together NIHR Dem Comm Research Fellows, to talk about their research and careers.

In this second series, we hear from five of the Dem Comm Fellows each taking a turn as co-host and guest. Alongside the researchers we have the incredible Trevor Salomon, Alzheimer’s Society Volunteer & Chair of the European Dementia Carers Working Group as our permanent co-host and anchor.

In show Trevor is joined by Dr Katie Breheny from Bristol University and NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West to interview Dr Pippa Collins.

Pippa Collins is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner and NIHR / Alzheimer’s Society Dem Comm Fellow based at the University of Southampton and NIHR ARC Wessex. Her research primarily addresses the critical aspects of end-of-life care, frailty, and dementia. In this discussion, we explore her work aimed at enhancing the recognition and management of the end-of-life period for people living with dementia. Pippa highlights the importance of shifting from traditional medicalised models of palliative care towards a holistic and personalised "palliative approach," focusing on recognising individual trajectories and vulnerabilities. Her goal is to foster improvements in dementia care practices by better educating healthcare professionals, supporting families, and integrating patient-centred care pathways that respect each individual's emotional, social, and cognitive needs.

Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

Recorded live at the BNA 2025 Festival of Neuroscience, this special episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast explores how researchers can build visibility in authentic and meaningful ways.

Host Dr Emma Yhnell from Cardiff University is joined by Dr Ian Harrison from University College London, Dr Ekta Patel from the Medicines Discovery Catapult and Professor Fiona Ducotterd from the ARUK Drug Discovery Institute at UCL. They provide practical and personal discussion on raising your academic profile — both online and in real life.

Together, they reflect on the challenges and benefits of self-promotion, share strategies to overcome imposter syndrome, and offer advice on making the most of networking opportunities. They also talk about the power of storytelling, volunteering, and showing up as your real self in academic spaces.

Whether you're just getting started or trying to take the next step in your career, this episode offers relatable insights and actionable tips.

Top Takeaways:

• Start small — writing blog posts, joining a committee, or talking to someone new at a conference all count.
• Reframe self-promotion as sharing your work with purpose and generosity.
• Visibility builds confidence, not the other way around — and it’s something you can practise over time.
• Your perspective matters — you don’t need to be the loudest voice, just an authentic one.
• The people behind the science are just as important as the science itself.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

In this podcast, host Dr Anna Volkmer explores the use of Lego Serious Play as a research tool / methodology in dementia and neurodegenerative disease studies.

Traditionally used in therapy and organisational development, Lego Serious Play is now finding its way into the research world—helping researchers, participants, and stakeholders express complex ideas, foster collaboration, and build deeper insights (literally and metaphorically).

Anna is joined by a panel of expert guests Dr Warren Donnellan, University of Liverpool – a trained facilitator of Lego Serious Play who applies it to resilience and carer research. Dr Alys Griffiths, University of Sheffield – who has integrated the method into dementia studies and her work in Motor Neuron Disease. Dr Joe Langley, Sheffield Hallam University – known for combining design thinking and participatory research methods, including Lego Serious Play, in health and care settings.

Together, they explore the origins, applications, and benefits of this playful method, share case studies, and reflect on how building with Lego can break down communication barriers and empower participants—particularly those with dementia.

Topics covered:

• What is Lego Serious Play and how does it work in research?
• Insights into resilience and the carer experience
• Using play to unlock communication in dementia research
• How design thinking intersects with health research

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

This year's AD/PD Conference was held in Vienna, Austria from the 1st to 5th April. In this first of a two-part special we bring you highlights from the first three days of the conference.

The AD/PD Conference focuses on basic science and translational and clinical research bringing New insights on disease mechanisms and etiologies, the latest findings from clinical trials, innovative outlooks on therapy and prevention and advances in diagnostic markers.

In this special on-location recording our guest host Dr Amanda Heslegrave from UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London talks with Dr Loukia Katsouri from the UCL Gatsby Foundation, Dr Anna Mallach from the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London and Dr Imogen Swift, Research Scientist at Vesper Bio.

Here are just a few highlights from the discussion:

• Can AI spot cognitive decline in mice before humans can? Discover how machine learning is transforming mouse model analysis to predict impairment – and the surprising gender and breeding effects researchers uncovered.
• Drug repurposing breakthroughs: affordable hope on the horizon? Find out why microglial activity, mitochondrial senescence, and asthma meds could be the future of dementia drug discovery – without starting from scratch.
• Parkinson’s redefined – biologically, not clinically. A bold proposal to ditch clinical diagnosis in Parkinson’s research in favour of biomarker-based subtyping. Could it revolutionise how trials are run?
• Astrocytes take centre stage – and they might be phagocytosing synapses. New data shows waves of astroglial activity and potential astro-microglial crosstalk in Parkinson’s disease – with serious implications for how we model disease.
• Could a finger prick diagnose dementia? From dried blood spot kits to large-scale remote testing, hear how researchers are racing to make brain biomarker screening as simple as a home test.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

This year's AD/PD Conference was held in Vienna, Austria from the 1st to 5th April. In this second of a two-part special we bring you highlights from the last three days of the conference.

The AD/PD Conference focuses on basic science and translational and clinical research bringing New insights on disease mechanisms and etiologies, the latest findings from clinical trials, innovative outlooks on therapy and prevention and advances in diagnostic markers.

In this special on-location recording our guest host Dr Isabel Castanho from Harvard Medical School talks with Dr Emma Garland from The University of Sheffield, Susan Rohde from UMC Amsterdam and Dr Martyna Matuszyk from the Alzheimer's Society.

Here are just a few highlights from the discussion:

• "This is why we do the science." A powerful and emotional talk from Trevor Salamon, sharing his wife's journey with young onset dementia, reminded the audience what it's all really about.
• Can your gut give you Parkinson’s? Discover new research showing how toxic proteins may travel from the gut to the brain — and how mini organoids are helping researchers prove it.
• Microglia, mice, and human brains… all pointing to the same gene? Explore how two researchers independently found SPP1 upregulated in Alzheimer’s immunotherapy studies — in both mice and humans.
• PhD students are stealing the show. From organoid development to cutting-edge methylation studies, early-career researchers are producing some of the most exciting work on display.
• "I saw your name on the poster and had to say hello". Hear how chance meetings, shared lab lines, and QR code posters are turning scientific conferences into hubs of unexpected connection.

A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.

If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on YouTube, on our website, and in selected podcast platforms.

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
• https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
• https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
• https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.

Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs