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MPs show support for transformative science at UK DRI showcase

Author

Jake Poulton

On Wednesday 29 January, the UK DRI hosted a 'science showcase' event in Parliament, to demonstrate to MPs how our groundbreaking research is transforming the lives of people living with neurodegenerative conditions, and paving the way towards a new future of healthy brain ageing for all.  

We welcomed MPs, Peers and their staff from all parties to meet with researchers and interact with our research, learning how UK science is discovering the causes of neurodegenerative conditions, developing this knowledge into new tools and treatments, and delivering solutions to maintain brain health in an ageing society.  

MPs also took the opportunity to understand the value of Medical Research Council and NIHR investment to their constituents, and showed their support by pledging to back transformative research into neurodegenerative conditions.  

UK DRI Parliamentary showcase event

Discover

MPs spoke to Dr Sara Wong and Dr Mathieu Nollett from the Wisden Lab about the link between poor sleep and dementia, and how sleeping patterns could be used to predict an individual’s risk of dementia, years before symptoms appear. 

Dr Dayne Beccano-Kelly demonstrated (with inflatable hands!) how miscommunication between brain cells during Parkinson’s could be used to identify earlier opportunities for intervention, potentially preventing cell loss. 

Develop

Dr Amanda Heslegrave showcased how the UK DRI Biomarker Factory is developing fast, accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tools via blood tests that reduce cost for the NHS and improve experience and accessibility for the public.  

Prof David Sharp also shared how we are using data collected from common devices such as sleep mats to identify individuals at risk and monitor disease progression. 

Deliver

MPs also heard about the impact our research is having right now from Michael and Jane, participants in the NHS-integrated UK DRI Minder programme, which harnesses digital technology and AI to reduce hospitalisation and personalise at-home care. 

Jane said: 

"We felt very privileged being able to take part in the science showcase in Parliament. We appreciate the work that is being done by the UK Dementia Research Institute to help people with dementias like primary progressive aphasia (PPA). There seemed to be a lot of interest from the people who attended, which hopefully will lead to more being done to help research in this area. Having a disease over which we have no control is frightening which is why it is crucial to have support from groups like Minder and benefitting from their research."

Prof David Sharp, Dr Gregory Scott and Success Fabusoro demonstrated how the monitoring equipment that enabled this care was only possible due to breakthroughs in discovery science, and how data generated as part of the Minder programme can support further breakthroughs in our understanding of neurodegenerative conditions. 

Success said:

“It was a wonderful opportunity showcasing our work on the Minder health monitoring system. Engaging with policymakers and fellow researchers further reinforced the potential of technology transforming dementia care, and I am privileged to contribute to this critical conversation."

Thank you to all parliamentarians that joined us for an exciting morning of interactive science and everyone who committed to working together to boost scientific progress and drive positive change for the millions of people affected by neurodegenerative conditions. 

Policy & advocacy

The UK DRI is committed to ensuring that dementia research, and UK science more broadly, can continue to thrive and deliver much needed breakthroughs. We engage with decision makers from across the political spectrum, to help create the best possible public policy environment for our scientists to carry out their life-changing work. 

A diverse group of four people, including an older woman wearing a white head covering, two senior men, and a former MP Gillian Keegan, are shaking hands and engaging in conversation in front of a display about a "Living Lab" that tests technologies for home environments.