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We have joined forces with ARUK to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research! Hear from Manchester's researchers and more personal stories about how we're tackling the problem today and in the future. Bring the research to life; see diseased brain sections under the microscope or neurone connections on our nifty Lego model, build a brain at the craft table or take a step in an AD patient's shoes with virtual reality experience "Walk through Dementia". We'll also have a raffle courtesy of Huel, Breakout, Lishi Manchester Tai Chi and more. Join us for a fun and interactive fundraiser!
Fuelling the brain
Professor Stuart Allan
(Research Domain Director, Neuroscience & Mental Health Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health The University of Manchester)
The brain is dependent on a good blood supply for it to work properly. Any disruption to this blood supply can have devastating consequences, causing brain cells to die.
There are numerous ways in which blood flow to the brain can be reduced or the blood vessels in the brain can be affected - known as cerebrovascular disease. A consequence of cerebrovascular disease is cognitive decline and dementia. Professor Allan will explain how blood flow to the brain is controlled, how it might be affected to result in dementia, and how we might find ways to prevent this
There are numerous ways in which blood flow to the brain can be reduced or the blood vessels in the brain can be affected - known as cerebrovascular disease. A consequence of cerebrovascular disease is cognitive decline and dementia. Professor Allan will explain how blood flow to the brain is controlled, how it might be affected to result in dementia, and how we might find ways to prevent this
Alzheimer's: An Engineer's View
Fred Walker
(Engineer)
Fred Walker gives an insight to his experiences caring for an AD patient. As a former engineer, he applies this logic to find ways around lifestyle problems and help in more practical ways. This has also given him the opportunity to publish a book and has raised around £54,000 for ARUK to date.
Why do we get old? Ageing, Alzheimer's and Animal Models.
Dr Jack Rivers-Auty
(BBSRC Future Leader Fellow)
Science is about asking questions, so here are a few: Your skin is always renewing, so Prince George's skin is the same age as the Queen's. But why is George's skin wrinkle free, while the Queen has the complexion of the Emperor from Star Wars? Why do we get old? As we age our risk of developing dementia increases, so if we "cure" ageing will we prevent dementia? How do we research this, do we need animals? How do you know if a mouse has dementia?
Dr. Jack Rivers-Auty will attempt to answer these questions using a poorly built sculpture of a Kiwi and a game called "the floor is cytosol".
Dr. Jack Rivers-Auty will attempt to answer these questions using a poorly built sculpture of a Kiwi and a game called "the floor is cytosol".
Brain Junk
Dr Gemma Lace-Costigan
(Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, Lead in Knowledge Transfer at Salford Institute for Dementia)
In diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, there is a build-up of abnormal cellular proteins followed by the death of brain cells. In a healthy brain however, this ‘junk’ is effectively cleared and brain cells are preserved. During this talk, Dr Lace-Costigan will discuss how understanding the waste disposal systems of the brain, our ‘brain bins’, will help develop new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
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