̽»¨Ö±²¥

Cambridge researchers have developed ‘mini brains’ that allow them to study a fatal and untreatable neurological disorder causing paralysis and dementia – and for the first time have been able to grow these for almost a year.

A new mechanism that stops the progression of Huntington’s disease in cells has been identified by scientists at the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge and UCL, as part of their research groups at the UK Dementia Research Institute.

Artificial intelligence could spot the early signs of dementia from a simple brain scan long before major symptoms appear – and in some cases before any symptoms appear – say Cambridge researchers.

Apathy – a lack of interest or motivation – could predict the onset of some forms of dementia many years before symptoms start, offering a ‘window of opportunity’ to treat the disease at an early stage, according to new research from a team of scientists led by Professor James Rowe at the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge.

A new study suggests that it is possible to design drugs that can target a type of shape-shifting protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease, which was previously thought to be undruggable.

Apathy offers an important early warning sign of dementia in individuals with cerebrovascular disease, but depression does not, research led by the ̽»¨Ö±²¥Â suggests.

Researchers have found a way to design an antibody that can identify the toxic particles that destroy healthy brain cells – a potential advance in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

Inflammation in the brain may be more widely implicated in dementias than was previously thought, suggests new research from the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge. ̽»¨Ö±²¥researchers say it offers hope for potential new treatments for several types of dementia.

When she’s not on the river captaining the Darwin College Boat Club, PhD student Jessica Walsh is investigating a possible link between leaky blood vessels in the brain and the onset of vascular dementia. Jess’ research has led to the launch of a clinical trial, which is testing a new treatment to slow down the progression of this debilitating disease.

A prescription drug to treat high blood pressure has shown promise against conditions such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and forms of dementia in studies carried out in mice and zebrafish at the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ of Cambridge.