What is Neurodegenerative Disease? Part 2

In our second lecture, Prof. Tara Spires-Jones, Prof Karen Ritchie and Prof Adam Waldman will discuss the biology of neurodegenerative disease and dementia, it's markers and diagnosis and how cognitive features, such as memory, reasoning and problem-solving may present across the disease spectrum.

Prof Tara Spires-Jones

Prof Tara Spires-Jones runs a research group studying brain changes in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease. Her laboratory studies the connections between neurons, which in healthy brain allow learning and memory. The goal of the group is to understand the mechanisms of these connections' degeneration in order to develop treatments that will promote recovery of brain function. 

Prof Karen Ritchie 

Prof Karen Ritchie is a visiting professor in Edinburgh and directs a research centre in Neuropsychiatry within the French National Institute of Medical Research (INSERM) in Montpellier. Her research as an epidemiologist has focused on the development of models of dementia from population and clinical research in order to identify potential windows for intervention.

Prof Adam Waldman
Chair of Neuroradiology, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Imaging.


The Dementia Prevention Open Lecture Series
The University of Edinburgh's Centre for Open Learning and Centre for Dementia Prevention present a series of lectures to improve understanding of dementia and improve the lives of those living with or care for those with dementia.

The University of Edinburgh's Centre for Dementia Prevention combines research in science, medicine and social science to lead global efforts in preventing dementia.

For more information about the Centre for Dementia Prevention, visit http://centrefordementiaprevention.com

This Open Lecture Series will highlight their vision to:

• advance understanding of biomarkers in clinical and preclinical human populationsdrive global efforts to deliver new medicines that could act before clinical symptoms of dementia appear
• improve the experience of living with dementia by developing strategies that increase the quality of life
• empower people to understand and protect their brain health, for a future without dementia

Forthcoming Events

For details of future lectures, events and exhibitions at the Centre for Open Learning, please visit https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/short-courses/events