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With how often we hear about nerve cells in the brain, you'd be forgiven to think they exist in isolation. In reality, there are numerous other cells in the brain, known as glia. They take on important roles and are emerging as key players in Alzheimer's and other dementias. At this event you'll hear from researchers studying glia, who are finding ways to improve how we diagnose and treat dementia.
Above image credit: Chris Henstridge.
Above image credit: Chris Henstridge.
Inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease: a search for new drug targets
Dr Emma Mead
(Team Leader at Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, University of Oxford)
Inflammation plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease, with immune cells in the brain called microglia affecting how neurons work. Microglia are responsible for clearing build-ups of amyloid beta, which accumulates during Alzheimer’s and prevents neurons from communicating with each other properly. Emma's research is looking at how Alzheimer’s risk genes affect microglia and how these important cells work. She will discuss her team's work to develop new drugs that can restore healthy activity in microglia, which could become new treatments for the diseases that cause dementia.
Brain glue: sticking it to dementia
Dr Mark Dallas
(Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy at University of Reading)
Nearly a million people in the UK today are living with dementia, yet there is no treatment able to prevent, cure or slow down its progression. To overcome this scientists’ are studying not only nerve cells in the brain, but also the glial cells- previously thought to be just ‘glue’ that sticks nerve cells together. Scientists think that these cells could provide insight and even early warning about the onset of disease, before symptoms set in. Mark will outline the challenges we face in finding treatments for brain diseases and explore the potential of brain glue to fight Alzheimer’s disease.
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