Dementia Researcher

In this episode, Professor Louise Serpell is joined by 2026 Rainwater Prize winners Professor Dennis Dickson, Professor Melissa Murray and Dr Marc Busche.

They talk about their work and the science that led to them earning this much deserved award, reflecting on decades of research into tau and its role in neurodegenerative disease. The conversation explores how tau functions in the healthy brain, how it becomes harmful in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, and why certain brain regions are especially vulnerable.

The discussion covers different forms of tau, including soluble species that may disrupt how neurons fire before visible tangles appear. Brain banking, imaging and fluid biomarkers are highlighted as key tools for understanding disease differences and improving diagnosis. The importance of rare MAPT mutations and what they can teach us about future treatments is also explored.

Alongside the science, there are thoughtful reflections on mentorship, risk taking and the value of asking ambitious questions in dementia research.

10 Key Takeaways

🔹Tau is essential but context dependent. It is vital for normal brain function, yet changes in its chemistry, structure or location can drive neurodegeneration.
🔹Tangles are not the whole story. Soluble tau species can disrupt neuronal firing, even in single cells, before visible aggregates appear.
🔹Selective vulnerability defines tauopathies. Disorders such as PSP consistently affect specific brain regions and cell types, including glia, and we still do not fully understand why.
🔹One biomarker does not fit all. Tau PET and fluid markers behave differently across Alzheimer’s disease and primary tauopathies, reflecting structural differences in tau.
🔹Progress depends on bold science. High risk experiments, strong mentorship and access to the right tools are essential for moving the field forward.

Find out more about the Rainwater Foundation:
https://rainwatercharitablefoundation.org/
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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
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
00:08 Introduction to the Rainwater Prize and Its Significance
04:30 Understanding Tau: The Central Protein in Neurodegeneration
09:03 The Role of Tau in Neurodegenerative Diseases
13:52 Exploring the Pathology of Tau and Its Variants
18:16 The Impact of Brain Banking on Neurodegenerative Research
23:24 Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Symptoms and Pathology
28:13 Heterogeneity in Neurodegenerative Diseases
33:53 Therapeutics Targeting Tau Species
40:36 Mentorship and Leadership in Research

In this episode of the Dementia Research Podcast, host Dr Gemma Lace is joined by guests, Dr Eric Hill from Loughborough University, Kalliopi Mavromati from University of Glasgow, Natalie Wickett from Simon Fraser University and Dr Kate Harris from Newcastle University.

Together they discuss the intersection of ADHD and research, exploring personal experiences, misconceptions, and coping strategies. The conversation highlights the unique challenges faced by researchers with ADHD, the importance of understanding and empathy in academic settings, and the various ways individuals navigate their symptoms. The discussion also touches on the role of medication and the need for tailored approaches to support neurodiverse individuals in academia.
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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
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to ADHD in Research
02:56 Understanding ADHD: Definitions and Misconceptions
06:55 Personal Experiences of ADHD
10:37 Hyperfocus: The Double-Edged Sword
14:22 Gender Differences in ADHD Presentation
21:46 ADHD in Academia: Challenges and Realizations
25:35 The Positive Aspects of ADHD
29:11 Coping Mechanisms and Strategies
34:10 Medication: The Good, The Bad, and The Necessary
48:14 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast, host Adam Smith chats with with Professor Paul Freemont and researcher Tom Adam from the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London to discuss the critical issue of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in individuals living with dementia.

The conversation highlights the complexities of diagnosing UTIs in people living with dementia, where communication barriers and atypical presentations often lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary hospitalisations. The guests emphasise the urgent need for improved detection methods, as UTIs can exacerbate cognitive decline and lead to severe health complications. They talk about their work to develop and introduce an innovative novel point-of-care diagnostic device designed specifically for dementia patients, which aims to facilitate early detection of UTIs in a home and care home setting, thereby reducing the reliance on traditional symptom reporting and hospital visits.

Key takeaways:

🔹UTIs are a major cause of hospital admission and sudden decline in people living with dementia.
🔹Diagnosing UTIs is harder in dementia because symptoms are often not recognised or communicated.
🔹Current testing methods can be slow and sometimes lead to overuse of antibiotics.
🔹New home based rapid testing technology aims to detect infections earlier and closer to where care happens.
🔹Earlier detection could reduce hospital stays and improve quality of life.
🔹Future monitoring of urine biomarkers could help predict infections before symptoms appear.
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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
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to UTIs in Dementia
04:15 The Seriousness of UTIs in Dementia
18:31 Innovative Approaches to UTI Detection
22:00 Engineering a Diagnostic Device for Home Use
27:04 Innovative UTI Detection Technology
29:41 The Vision for Home Testing
31:40 Personal Motivations Behind the Research
34:40 Understanding the Urinary Microbiome
37:53 Designing the UTI Detection Device
44:20 Testing in Clinical Environments
50:57 Barriers to Market Entry
54:03 Community Awareness and Support
58:46 Outro

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, we focus on Lewy body dementia and why it remains one of the most misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed forms of dementia.

Released ahead of Lewy Body Dementia Day on 28 January, the conversation explores what Lewy body dementia is, how it sits between existing diagnostic categories, and why it often takes years for people to receive the right diagnosis.
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Host Dr Sam Moxon is joined by three researchers working on Lewy body dementia from very different angles:

🔹Dr Ece Bayram, Assistant Research Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz, whose work explores differences in risk, progression and diagnosis across sex, gender, ethnicity and race
🔹Dr Joe Kane, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Lecturer, who combines clinical care with research into diagnosis, service delivery and clinical trials
🔹Dr David Koss, Lecturer and Group Lead at the University of Dundee, studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Lewy body dementia
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Together, they unpack why Lewy body dementia does not follow a neat clinical pathway, how overlapping symptoms can lead to confusion with Alzheimer disease or Parkinson disease, and why uncertainty in diagnosis affects everything from care planning to research outcomes.

The discussion highlights the real world consequences of misdiagnosis, including inappropriate treatments, faster than expected progression, and the emotional toll on families and care partners. The guests also reflect on how limited awareness of Lewy body dementia continues to shape health services, research recruitment and public understanding.

Across the episode, a clear theme emerges: Lewy body dementia cannot be understood from a single perspective. Clinical insight, biological research and population level studies all need to connect if progress is to be made.

The conversation also explores promising areas of research, including improvements in clinical detection, the development of practical diagnostic tools, the importance of inclusive research populations, and emerging biological findings that may point towards future therapeutic targets.
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Key takeaways

🔹Lewy body dementia includes dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson disease dementia
🔹Symptoms extend beyond memory and can include hallucinations, sleep disturbance, fluctuations and movement changes
🔹Diagnosis is frequently delayed due to overlapping features with other dementias
🔹Misdiagnosis can lead to harmful treatments and inappropriate care planning
🔹Care partners play a central role in both diagnosis and ongoing support
🔹Research cohorts often lack diversity, limiting understanding of the
🔹Cellular mechanisms such as alpha synuclein dysfunction remain an important area of study
🔹Early and accurate diagnosis improves care, planning and research quality
🔹Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to understanding the disease
🔹Public awareness is key to improving detection, funding and outcomes
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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
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In this short audio message, we share details of AAIC Neuroscience Next 2026, a free global hybrid meeting bringing together dementia and neuroscience researchers from around the world.

Running from 23 to 26 February 2026, the core scientific programme will be streamed worldwide, with opportunities to engage online wherever you are based. Alongside this, selected in person hubs will take place, including the UK hub in Manchester on Thursday 26 February.

The Manchester hub focuses on biomarkers in dementia research, with a full day of talks, lightning sessions, posters, panel discussion, and time to connect with others working in the field.

Attendance is free, but in person places in Manchester are limited. At the time of recording, just 50 tickets remain, and registration will close when they are taken or on 30 January, whichever comes first.

Full details and registration links are available at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/aaicneuro