University Of Nottingham To Host Free Public Meeting On Dementia
The University of Nottingham is hosting a free public meeting about dementia on 29 July 2014. The meeting will take place at the Djanogly Art Gallery at the University and has been organised by researchers in the Alzheimer’s Research UK Nottingham Network. The speakers include a leading expert in dementia genetics and a professor of social policy who will discuss the best way to increase awareness of the issues surrounding dementia.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity and has funded nearly £2.5 million worth of research projects at The University of Nottingham. The meeting will give the general public the opportunity to listen to experts discuss topics such as genetic risk factors and how imaging can be used to better diagnose dementia. The meeting also includes a question and answer session where members of the public have the opportunity to put their questions to the panel.
The meeting will include a short animated video by Prof Kevin Morgan, explaining what is known so far about the genetics behind Alzheimer’s. Prof Morgan is based at The University of Nottingham and is a world-renowned dementia geneticist who has been instrumental in the identification of many Alzheimer’s risk genes. He has also fostered collaborations with other experts in the US and Germany to allow for the sharing of resources and ideas which can increase understanding of what causes this devastating disease.
Also speaking at the meeting is Prof Justine Schneider, a social policy expert who is working to help healthcare assistants understand dementia and how best to care for those affected. The final talk of the afternoon will be from Dr Simon Hughes, a consultant in radiology at the Nottingham University Hospital, who will speak about how imaging techniques can be used to improve dementia diagnosis.
Prof Kevin Morgan said:
“We are delighted that The University of Nottingham is hosting this important event. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affect more than 10,000 people in the Nottinghamshire area and this number is expected to rise. Nottingham has been at the forefront of dementia research in the UK and worldwide for a long time and this is a fantastic opportunity for the public to hear what our research has achieved so far.”
Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“As an estimated 23 million people in the UK have a close family member of friend affected by dementia, it is vital that the public is kept informed about the steps dementia researchers are making towards defeating this devastating condition. As a fundraising charity, we rely entirely on the generosity of the public to fund our research and it’s only right that we show people the progress being made.”
The free meeting runs from 3.30pm – 6.00pm at the Djanogly Art Gallery, University of Nottingham. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free but spaces are limited to please book your place early. Further information can be found by contacting Anne Braae on 01158230723 or email Anne.Braae@nottingham.ac.uk
