This site is optimised for modern browsers. For the best experience, please use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.

Wessex hosts inaugural brain ageing and dementia research meeting

Scientists, researchers, patients and healthcare professionals from Wessex, and beyond, gathered in Hampshire for the first Dementia and Brain Ageing Research Meeting.
 
Over 150 delegates attended the meeting, which took place at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on 4 February 2020.
 
The meeting was delivered as a collaboration between the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) Wessex, the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex and the Interdisciplinary Dementia and Ageing Centre (iDeAC).
 
It provided the opportunity to showcase dementia research in Wessex, link dementia researchers across the region and grow the network for clinical trials.
 
It was also an opportunity to celebrate the launch of iDeAC, a network of researchers and clinicians in Southampton, focused on interdisciplinary collaboration across the clinical pathway in order to increase research opportunities for an ageing population living with dementia.
 
The meeting also focussed on those who are early in their research careers, with prizes for the best poster presentations going to Angus Prosser, Rebecca Beardmore and Louise Kelly. 
 
The meeting also highlighted opportunities for research at all points in the dementia and brain ageing pathway, from molecules to models of care. The programme included talks and workshops from over 30 speakers, who shared expertise and insight from their area of work.
 
Delegates were pleased to hear from keynotes speakers Professor Hugh Perry of the University of Southampton and Professor Ajay Verma from CODIAK Biosciences. Prof Perry presented on the next steps for neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disease, whilst Prof Verma spoke of the advances in treatment.
 
Consultant Neurologist, Dr Chris Kipps, who helped organise the event, spoke of the importance of infrastructure in enabling research collaborations.
 
Dr Kipps, a clinical lead for CRN Wessex, ARC Wessex and iDeAC, said: “We would like to thank everyone for joining us at the inaugural Wessex Brain Ageing and Dementia Research meeting. We are very appreciative of the positive feedback we have received so far, and it is highly likely that we will hold a similar event next year.
 
"We hope you found the event inspiring and that collaboration across disciplines, and across the region, will encourage us to think differently and consider new perspectives on the problems of brain ageing and dementia.”