Dementias Platform UK

05/11/2025

It is great to see our READ-OUT study and the leading the news programme Points West in the west of England. https://zurl.co/PcgLA
The Brain Centre at North Bristol NHS Trust and ReMind UK in Bath are participating in the study. It could revolutionise and make it easier, quicker and better to get a diagnosis.

The latest news, sport, weather and features from the West of England.

03/11/2025

How Childhood Shapes the Brain Decades Later: New Research from DPUK

We're pleased to share that Dr Delia Gheorghe's research has been published in Scientific Reports, revealing how early-life experiences can leave lasting imprints on brain structure.

Using DPUK's research infrastructure, Dr Gheorghe and colleagues analysed MRI data from 452 cognitively healthy older adults. The findings show that perceived excessive maternal control in childhood was linked to smaller volumes in reward-processing brain regions—measured more than 50 years later.

"This paper is one example of what we can do with the breadth of data available in DPUK. It's quite remarkable that we found associations between early-life aspects and brain structure measured more than 50 years later." — Dr Delia Gheorghe

The research has reached audiences beyond academia: Dr Gheorghe and Prof Sarah Bauermeister recently discussed the findings on Pro TV News in Romania (interview in Romanian), bringing dementia research insights to international communities.

This work is part of the Blossom Early Adversity & Brain Health Programme, led by Prof Bauermeister in collaboration with Morgane Künzi and Dr Nico Filippini. It demonstrates how DPUK resources support researchers in exploring complex questions about brain health across the lifespan.

👉 Read the full study: https://zurl.co/FLgmQ
👉 Romanian TV interview: https://zurl.co/QHi9d
👉 Learn more about DPUK resources: https://zurl.co/tTDlG

16/10/2025

Dr Ivan Koychev is now presenting on artificial intelligence for dementia at our Great Minds live event! 🧠
A brilliant afternoon of cutting-edge research alongside Prof John Gallacher, Prof Vanessa Raymont, and Prof James Rowe.

16/10/2025

We're live at The Saïd Business School, Oxford!

Our Great Minds event "Decoding Dementia: Biomarkers, Big Data, and the Future of Diagnosis" is underway with a fantastic turnout of Great Mind members, researchers, clinicians, and READ-OUT study participants.

Prof John Gallacher is currently presenting on what big data has revealed about dementia over the past 5 years – fascinating insights from the room!

More to come from Prof James Rowe, Prof Vanessa Raymont, and Dr Ivan Koychev this afternoon.

14/10/2025

📍 Final Reminder: Join Us This Week – It's Not Too Late!

Our Great Minds Live event is happening this Wednesday, 16 October 2025 at The Saïd Business School, Oxford.

"Decoding Dementia: Biomarkers, Big Data, and the Future of Diagnosis"

There's still time to register! Everyone involved with the READ-OUT study is warmly invited to join us, along with anyone interested in the latest dementia research. You can attend in person or join us online.

Hear from leading experts including Prof Vanessa Raymont (READ-OUT co-lead), Prof John Gallacher (DPUK Director), Dr Ivan Koychev (Great Minds lead & READ-OUT co-lead), and Prof James Rowe as they discuss advances in biomarkers, AI applications, and new developments in diagnosis.

Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm (Registration from 1:30pm)

Don't miss this opportunity – book your place today, whether attending in person or online. https://zurl.co/Z7Ghe

10/10/2025

Dementia is a global challenge. On World Mental Health Day, wants to thank every single scientist who is working day in, day out to better understand the disease.

And a huge thank you too, to our volunteers who are so vital to human-based research into , declining , and . -OUT

Share to show your appreciation.

06/10/2025

Are you part of our READ-OUT study? If you are, we'd like to invite you to join attend - in person or online a special 'GREAT MINDS LIVE' event on Thursday 16th October, 2-5pm.

You'll be joining people who have registered to be on our Great Minds register, but you can also invite friends or family to come too. Everyone is welcome.

We expect there will be staff from some of our 31 clinical research sites across the country joining the event too.

For everyone, it is a chance to hear from some of our research investigators about developments in biomarkers, the use of AI in research and to learn how about new developments in diagnosis.

Speakers include Prof Vanessa Raymont, who co-leads READ-OUT; Prof John Gallacher (PhD AFBPsS CPsychol FFPH), Director of DPUK; and Ivan Koychev, who heads up Great Minds and is also a co-lead of the READ-OUT study.

You can attend 'in person' at the Said Business School in Oxford: https://zurl.co/4RcKS
Or join ONLINE: https://zurl.co/bi07v

Note: You will need to book however you choose to attend.

01/10/2025

Don't miss it! Book your place at our latest GREAT MINDS LIVE event - in Oxford (and online). Decoding Dementia: Biomarkers, Big Data and the Future of Diagnosis. FREE, but places are limited.

Attend in person: https://zurl.co/3aacq
Online: https://zurl.co/vUa6g

15/09/2025

🩸 Could a Simple Blood Test Revolutionise NHS Dementia Diagnosis?

Prof Vanessa Raymont explores this game-changing possibility at Great Minds Live (16 Oct).

Why it matters:
• More accessible diagnosis across the NHS
• Earlier detection before symptoms
• Less invasive than current methods
• Better clinical trial efficiency

Plus: Dr Ivan Koychev reveals how AI is transforming dementia research, and Prof John Gallacher shares 5 years of breakthrough developments.

📅 16 October, 2-5pm | FREE
Said Business School
This isn't just research updates - it's the future of dementia care.

Register: In-person https://zurl.co/rSKdB | Online https://zurl.co/J6F7l



What excites you most about these developments?

The future of biomarkers and the importance of registers in dementia research

14/08/2025

🧠 Fuel for Thought: The Science Behind Brain-Healthy Eating

Our PhD researcher Megan Smith explores how the foods we eat can either support or hinder our brain health in her latest blog post.

🔬 Key insights from Megan's research:
• The MIND diet shows cognitive benefits 12-23 years later
• Ultra-processed foods linked to increased dementia risk
• Mediterranean-style eating patterns support long-term brain function

"Food is unique in that it has the potential to either support or hinder our brains," says Megan. "We all need to eat – but this provides us with the opportunity to support our brain health many times over through our food choices."

Read Megan's full research insights: https://zurl.co/sxfVh

We often discuss how eating a healthy diet is good for our physical health – less often talked about is how eating a varied and nutritious diet is also important for the health of our brains. Having gone many years not knowing this myself, I’ve now become passionate about sharing this message as...

30/07/2025

Promising news of potential new dementia treatment reported at :
"90% of those prescribed trontinemab experienced amyloid clearance within 28 weeks, meaning visible markers of the disease had cleared."

https://zurl.co/6PK1G

A new drug could halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease - granting hope to thousands who suffer from the illness.

30/07/2025

Where are you heading at today? Check out Morgane Kuenzi's poster #791 on early adverse experiences and coping strategies in the Prevention section.