Welcome to the last show in this season of the ISTAART PIA Relay Podcast, presented by Dementia Researcher. In our final episode, we come full circle with Dr Keir Yong, Senior Research Fellow at UCL's Dementia Research Centre, speaking with Professor Arlene Astell, Chair of the Non-Pharmacological Interventions PIA.

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Professor Astell discusses her role as a Professor of Cyber Psychology at Northumbria University and Director of the Dementia Ageing Technology Engagement Lab at the University of Toronto. She offers a comprehensive look into her journey into dementia research, sparked by early interactions with individuals living with dementia, and her commitment to understanding and mitigating the cognitive and behavioural challenges they face.

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Gain insights into the innovative projects led by Professor Astell, including the development of touchscreen computer systems designed to support conversation for people with dementia. How the significance of lifestyle interventions, such as nutrition and physical activity, and the emerging potential of neuromodulation can play a role in reducing dementia risk.

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The conversation also highlights the broader implications of non-pharmacological interventions, the challenges in implementing these approaches within health systems, and the importance of influencing public health policy to ensure wider adoption – and the role that the Non-Pharmacological Interventions PIA can play in fostering collaboration.

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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.

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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. To sign-up to ISTAART and a PIA visit: http://www.istaart.alz.org - Note: ISTAART Membership is free for students worldwide, and for researchers of all levels based in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

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To book your place at this year’s AAIC (In-person and online) visit:

http://www.aaic.alz.org

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You can also enjoy this show as a video on our YouTube Channel at:

https://youtu.be/fF6oDHK_iP4

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Find more information on our guests, and a full transcript of this podcast on our website at: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast

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The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast represent those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect those of NIHR Dementia Researchers, PIA membership, ISTAART or the Alzheimer's Association.