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Research group

Dementia

Elderly man sat on a bench next to an alpine lake

We undertake innovative research into the causes of dementia, helping to develop and test new biomarkers and treatments.  

About

The Dementia Research Group studies the underlying causes of dementia and undertakes translational research for the ultimate benefit of people living with dementia. We are a group of scientists and clinicians who collaborate closely with experts in related fields within the University of Southampton and beyond. 

Our main research areas include:

  • Inflammation in dementia
  • Clinical studies and biomarkers in dementia
  • Neuroimaging  

Memory Assessment and Research Centre  

Our group works closely with the Memory Assessment and Research Centre (MARC), an internationally renowned research centre for dementia research and treatment for over 30 years. MARC has conducted over 200 pharmaceutical trials, observational studies or basic science projects aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of memory disorders including Alzheimer's disease; Lewy body dementia, Vascular dementia and Mild cognitive impairment. 

MARC was instrumental in the development of our current treatments for Alzheimer's disease and is at the cutting edge of new therapies. MARC believes everyone can contribute to dementia research by taking part in simple surveys or by taking part in complex drug studies. MARC also educates the lay public and healthcare professionals about dementia and its treatment, and gives academic support to trainees and students to develop the next generation of researchers.  

People, projects and publications

People

Professor Jessica Teeling

Prof of Experimental Neuroimmunology

Research interests

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Systemic inflammation
  • Oral microbiome

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: j.teeling@soton.ac.uk

Address: Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road Shirley, SO16 6YD

Professor Katrin Deinhardt

Professor

Research interests

  • Short- and long-range neurotrophin signalling and its role in morphological plasticity
  • Early neuronal dysfunction in disturbed proteostasis
  • Cellular mechanisms that underlie tau propagation across neurons

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: k.deinhardt@soton.ac.uk

Address: B85, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Dr Mariana Vargas-Caballero

Associate Professor

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: m.vargas-caballero@soton.ac.uk

Address: B85, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Professor Roxi Carare

Head of School

Research interests

  • Causes and new therapeutic strategies for dementias and other neurodegenerative diseases
  • New early diagnostic measures in dementia based on biomarkers from the nose
  • Drug delivery to the brain

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: r.o.carare@soton.ac.uk

Address: Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road Shirley, SO16 6YD

Professor Ruihua Hou MD, MSc, PhD, SFHEA

Associate Dean International

Research interests

  • 1) Psychoneuroimmunology studying how psychological processes, the central nervous system, and the immune system interact and impact mental health;          
  • 2) human psychopharmacology focusing on the role of the locus coeruleus in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, and novel interventions targeting the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic pathway;
  • 3) neuroinflammatory mechanisms underlying anxiety and affective disorders as well as comorbid anxiety, depression, and fatigue in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: r.hou@soton.ac.uk

Address: College Keep, Terminus Terrace, Southampton, SO14 3DT

Dr Sandrine Willaime-Morawek

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • How brain development and function are affected by external factors such as maternal diet
  • In vitro stem cells modelling of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases' molecular and cellular pathology

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: s.willaime-morawek@soton.ac.uk

Address: Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road Shirley, SO16 6YD

Professor Tracey Newman

Professor

Research interests

  • The demographic of populations worldwide is changing. People are living longer but with more years with affected by disability in the last two decades of life. The societal and economic consequences of this change are not being well managed. There is a lag in the development of health interventions and a need for rapid learning for future health and infrastructure planning. Typically, people in poorer economic situations are disproportionately affected by disability in later life.
  • Hearing loss and dementia: I lead multidisciplinary research focussed on hearing loss, the use of cochlear implants to restore hearing in otherwise deaf people and the interaction between hearing loss and dementia.
  • My focus is understanding cellular mechanisms in these conditions and also how the learning and methodologies used to investigate this can be applied across discipline boundaries. I am driving the implementation of data science methodologies for improved management of people who hear with cochlear implants and for the identification of early indicators of cognitive decline. I am championing the engagement of patients in research and as ambassadors to increase awareness of healthcare interventions amongst hard to reach and marginalised communities.

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: t.a.newman@soton.ac.uk

Address: B85, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

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