The Brain Under Pressure

We’ve all experienced infections at some point in our lives. Usually we recover and move on. But for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, infections can trigger a sudden decline in memory and other cognitive abilities. Why would something happening in the body affect the brain? When the body fights infection, the immune system releases signals designed to protect us. Yet these same signals can also reach the brain and influence how it works. In this talk, we’ll explore how the immune response to infection communicates with the brain, and why it may have unexpected consequences for people living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Over half of veterans struggle with health issues. For many, this is made worse by social isolation and loneliness. The Veteran Connection Programme (VCP) helps veterans find new identities and social connections after leaving the service. VCP is delivered in a group format by a trained veteran and a psychologist. Veterans who completed VCP adjust better to civilian life and show improved well-being. Many of them reported being able to talk about their difficulties and having more positive beliefs about civilians. VCP gives veterans practical tools to thrive on ‘civvy street’.