Showcasing and sharing knowledge in dementia research

People living with dementia, clinicians and academics involved in dementia research have taken part in a special partnership event at Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre.

The aim of the Teesside Dementia Research Partnership Event was to showcase and share knowledge about the range of dementia research projects taking place at the University, foster collaboration and partnerships between academics and clinicians, and raise awareness of how people living with dementia and their families can get involved as research partners.

The event involved research presentations, along with a panel discussion involving relatives of people living with dementia, who shared their experiences of co-designing a dementia research project.

There was also an opportunity to tour the hi-tech laboratory facilities at the National Horizons Centre and speak to researchers and clinicians involved in current research projects.

Guest speakers included Sara Hoxhaj, regional fundraising officer with Alzheimer’s Research UK, who shared insight into the work of the organisation. Dr Chris Clarke, consultant clinical psychologist, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, presented a talk on the key principles and challenges in co-research in dementia.

Teesside University School of Health & Life Sciences academics also presented their work, including Professor John S. Young, Professor of Translational Clinical and Healthcare Research based at the National Horizons Centre.

Professor Young shared insight into his research on bladder issues in dementia, and led a group discussion on how to progress and develop dementia research partnerships.

Biomedical science academic Dr Tora Smulders-Srinivasan shared insight into her research on mitochondrial in Parkinson’s disease, and circadian rhythm dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.

Research assistant Suzan Elsheikh, who has been working with biomedical science lecturer Dr Ahmad Khundakar, presented on research into Lewy Body Dementia.

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali, biomedical science academic in the University’s School of Health & Life Sciences, said: “We were very pleased to welcome researchers, clinicians, people with dementia and their family members to the first Teesside Dementia Research Partnership Event.

“We heard about the exciting dementia research taking place at our University, and it was really interesting to hear the experiences of family members of people with dementia being involved in the design of research projects.”

Senior lecturer Dr Ahmad Khundakar said: “Our aim was to bring together clinicians, researchers and those people living with dementia, and it was really interesting to hear from the participants, from helping to share knowledge and expertise, to families interested in becoming involved in research.”

Dr Ameen-Ali added: “A significant outcome of the event was laying the foundations for the formation of the Dementia Research Partners Network, who will work to ensure that dementia research is representative of the needs of those most directly affected by it.”

Sara Hoxhaj, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re so grateful to the Teesside University and National Horizon Centre for supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK with their event. Dementia affects a significant proportion of the population - one in three people over 65 in the UK will die with some form of the condition. Fantastic research and fundraising efforts like this will help us to make life-changing research breakthroughs for people with dementia. Thank you especially to John, Kam and Ahmad for organising a truly wonderful event!”

Anyone wanting to find out more can contact either Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali on k.ameen-ali@tees.ac.uk or Dr Ahmad Khundakar on a.khundakar@tees.ac.uk.

Find out more about Alzheimer’s Research UK and access a range of resources on dementia

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