11 March 2013
Dundee scientist shares latest findings at UK's top dementia research conference
A University of Dundee researcher will share the stage with actor James Nesbitt when he presents his latest findings at a major dementia research conference organised by Alzheimer's Research UK.
PhD student John Findlay will share his research into an enzyme involved in the disease at the Alzheimer's Research UK Conference 2013 in Belfast on Monday, 11th March. At the same event, Mr Nesbitt, who has some recent experience of the impact of Alzheimer's on his family, will challenge the public to 'fight the fear' of dementia by supporting UK scientists.
Alzheimer's Research UK is the country's leading dementia research charity and funds more than £20million of pioneering investigations into Alzheimer's and other dementias. The charity's annual conference will see John join a line-up of leading dementia scientists to share progress in the drive towards improving diagnosis and developing new treatments and preventions.
His work focuses on an enzyme called BACE1, which is known to play a role in the production of a protein called amyloid - a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. By understanding how BACE1 works, he hopes to uncover new clues about the way the disease develops and find potential ways to intervene in this process. As part of the study, John investigated what effect BACE1 has on glucose metabolism in the brain - an indicator of brain activity.
He explained, "Our results so far suggest that when there is an increase of BACE1 in the brain, cells become less able to metabolise glucose, and we now want to investigate this further. Previous research has shown that a reduction in glucose metabolism is one of the earliest detectable changes in the brain as Alzheimer's develops, and our study sheds more light on the underlying mechanism that might cause this change.
"Treatments targeting some of the later changes that occur in Alzheimer's have so far failed to improve people's symptoms in clinical trials, but if a drug can be developed to tackle some of the earlier changes we may have more success. I hope these results could take us a step forward on that path, and I'm excited to be sharing my findings at this major conference."
Dementia affects 820,000 in the UK - including nearly 1,500 in Dundee alone - but there are no treatments that can slow or stop the disease. Alzheimer's Research UK believes that the answers lie in research and proudly lead the way towards a cure.
Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said, "There is still much we need to know about the causes of Alzheimer's, and research like this is vital for helping us understand how the disease develops. By revealing some of the possible effects of BACE1, these results could provide a new lead in the search for an effective treatment.
"The Alzheimer's Research UK Conference is the largest event of its kind in the UK and provides a perfect opportunity for talented young scientists like John to showcase their innovative research."
James Nesbitt added, "Dementia strikes such fear into us, but we can fight it with research. We've seen what science can achieve against such great medical foes as tetanus and polio, and the strides forward in treatments for cancer and heart disease.
"Now we have to get behind the scientists and push for a dementia breakthrough. It could be that we fear dementia out of a sense of hopelessness, but there is hope and it rests in the hands of our scientists. With the right backing, we can beat these diseases, but the money is a long way behind - we can all help close the gap."
Notes to editors:
- Alzheimer's Research UK Conference 2013 takes place at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th March. For more information, including a full programme, visit ww.alzheimersresearchuk.org/conference-2013/
- Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading charity specialising in finding preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.
- To help us defeat dementia, donate today by visiting www.alzheimersresearchuk.org or calling 0300 111 5555.
- We are currently supporting dementia research projects worth over £20 million in leading Universities across the UK.
For further information, or to speak with John Findlay or Dr Simon Ridley, please contact Kirsty Marais, Media Officer at Alzheimer's Research UK on 0300 111 5 666, 07826 559233 or email press@alzheimersresearchuk.org
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
