Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia

This Theme’s Focus

Developing new tests for early detection of neurodegenerative disease
Early intervention and treatment for those most at risk
Validating new treatment targets and accelerating clinical trials of new therapies
Improved research infrastructure
Preventing dementia in the context of co-existing diseases and frailty

The health, economic and social burden of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases is huge. 1 in 3 people will develop dementia, costing the UK £30 billion annually (Dementia UK report). Social inequalities and co-existing medical conditions worsen dementia risk and long-term outcomes. The Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia (NDD) theme will discover and develop, launch new diagnostics, biomarkers and treatments. We will widen patient involvement, build research capacity and maximize impact through experimental medicine studies and clinical trials that accommodate the variability of these diseases, co-existing medical conditions, and promote inclusion of under-served groups.

Our work encompasses the study of common NDDs such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia and Vascular Dementia, as well as rarer disorders (Huntington’s disease, Frontotemporal dementias and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). Our research impact is complemented by training and capacity development, with many PhD students, new Academic Clinical Lectureships and partnerships with other Universities and industry.

NDD research is aligned to the 2019 NHS Long Term Plan, which aims to improve dementia care, with a cure for dementia now a Government priority. We share the public’s priorities of improved diagnostics, treatment and disease prevention.

Theme Leads

Professor James Rowe

Professor of Cognitive Neurology
Email: james.rowe@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk

Dr Caroline Williams-Gray

Clinician scientist and neurologist specialising in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and PD-associated dementia.
Email: chm27@cam.ac.uk

Meet our researchers

We will meet these priorities through:

Developing personalised treatments for all

Development of individualised and inclusive treatments for neurodegenerative disease and dementia, via a new platform to facilitate clinical trials in a broad range of clinically and genetically well-characterised patients.

Accelerated drug discovery and development

Opening the bottleneck in the transition of new treatments from the laboratory to clinical trials by efficient screening of candidate therapies and validation of new biomarkers to track their efficacy.

Using advanced brain imaging and informatics

Adopting new imaging technologies to identify biological targets for therapies, and using Artificial Intelligence approaches to maximise the diagnostic and predictive utility of routine brain scans collected in the NHS.

Working with patients and the public

Researchers in this theme work closely with patients and members of the public to strengthen lay participation in their research.

A recent addition to its PPIE work is the launch of Popped, an online portal where you’re invited to share your thoughts on research projects aimed at improving dementia care.

By gathering feedback from the public, researchers hope to guide research in ways that reflect the needs and priorities of people with dementia, their carers, families, professionals and anyone with experience or interest in dementia.

Latest News

Patient and WBIC scanner - NIHR BRC: Cambridge image

Ultra-powered MRI scans show damage to brain’s ‘control centre’ is behind long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms

October 9, 2024

Graphic showing intelligence and data: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

Artificial intelligence outperforms clinical tests at predicting progress of Alzheimer’s disease

July 15, 2024

Patient with clinician - NIHR BRC: Cambridge image

Study estimates number of patients for potential new Alzheimer’s disease treatments

February 1, 2024

Blood vials being placed in centrifuge - NIHR BRC: Cambridge image

Lab-grown ‘small blood vessels’ point to potential treatment for major cause of stroke and vascular dementia

November 20, 2023

Read more about our researchers who have been awarded AMS Fellowships

Researchers awarded prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowships

May 18, 2023

elderly hands - Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Dementia signs detected as early as nine years ahead of diagnosis

October 13, 2022

Scientists identify the cause of Alzheimer’s progression in the brain

November 1, 2021

Previous Next

Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia Case Studies

Screening for dementia in the community

October 16, 2024

Could Virtual Reality help detect the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease?

October 16, 2024

a woman sitting at a desk looking at a brain scan at WBIC - NIHR BRC: Cambridge image

Can looking at the brains communication channels help detect dementia earlier?

October 16, 2024

Neuroinflammation predicts disease progression in PSP

October 16, 2024

MRI brain scan on computer - NIHR BRC: Cambridge image

Studying brain activity in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

October 16, 2024

Previous Next

Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia Publications

Estimating demand for potential disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease in the UK

March 4, 2024

Locus coeruleus integrity is linked to response inhibition deficits in Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy

September 5, 2023

The use of neuroimaging techniques in the early and differential diagnosis of dementia

August 22, 2023

Mortality rates and proximal causes of death in patients with Lewy body dementia versus Alzheimer’s disease: A longitudinal study using secondary care mental health records

May 25, 2023

Microglial activation in the frontal cortex predicts cognitive decline in frontotemporal dementia

March 22, 2023

The NIHR BRC: Cambridge is part of the NIHR and hosted by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Cambridge. We are at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Europe’s largest health research area.

Contact Us

NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Cambridge
Box 277
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ

Tel: 01223 348490

NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre

@cambridgebrc ·

25 Aug

Congrats to @NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizewinners @CambridgeCRF Operations Director Caroline Saunders & @Cambridge_Uni & @CUH_NHS Neurosurgeon Benjamin Davies, who've both won awards for their leadership skills & commitment to patient-centred research: https://bit.ly/4y0HVFx

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National Institute for Health and Care Research

Verified account @nihrresearch ·

21 Aug

Are you looking for guidance on setting up a clinical trial? Look no further!

The #CTToolkit is an interactive colour-coded routemap that provides guidance on legal and best practice requirements. Bursting with advice, it's a must-see for any aspiring researcher ➡️

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Medicine at Cambridge

@medcambridge ·

20 Aug

The Lung Immune Challenge Study, led by @Akhilesh_Jha (@HLRI_Cambridge), has reached a milestone with the final participant completing the first phase designed to investigate how immune systems respond to viral lung infections.

➡️ https://buff.ly/tXrD5v8

@The_MRC @CambridgeBRC

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National Institute for Health and Care Research

Verified account @nihrresearch ·

18 Aug

Learn about two upcoming career development awards that can support you in undertaking short placements in another part of NIHR or a local authority to enhance your research training experience and academic career development.

📅 Join our webinar from 12-1pm on 3 September to

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NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre

@cambridgebrc ·

12 Aug

📣 Only 20 places left for each session❗️

Whether you’re new to PPI, want to improve your knowledge & skills we’ve got the session for you!

These FREE events are only available to East Anglia researchers - tickets for other regions are now fully booked! http://bit.ly/Trg4PPI

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NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre

@cambridgebrc ·

10 Aug

📣 Full day of Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) training available❗️

👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 Are you a health researcher❓
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 New PPI❓
📍 Located in #EastAnglia❓
👍 We’ve got the training day for you!

Join us on 2 Sept 9.30am-4pm, West Hub, Cambridge.
Book https://bit.ly/4yUOx9L

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Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia

This Theme’s Focus

Theme Leads

Professor James Rowe

Dr Caroline Williams-Gray

We will meet these priorities through:

Developing personalised treatments for all

Accelerated drug discovery and development

Using advanced brain imaging and informatics

Working with patients and the public

Latest News

Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia Case Studies

Neurodegenerative Disease and Dementia Publications

Contact Us

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