Profile – Professor David Llewellyn

Name:

Professor David Llewellyn

Professor David Llewellyn

Job Title:

Senior Research Fellow

Place of work / study:

University of Exeter Medical School

Area of Research:

Dementia prevention, diagnosis and treatment

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m particularly interested in the natural history of dementia and the identification of modifiable risk factors that may help to prevent dementia such as vitamin D. I’m also interested in how technological advances can enhance the dementia diagnostic pathway. For example, we’re currently trialling our DECODE dementia identification software with clinicians in partnership with Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

I am also a member of the grant review board for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself:

I’m stuck together with plates, screws and duct tape due to high risk sports such as ice climbing. Currently recovering from a broken wrist after crashing whilst training to cycle from London to Paris in July! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marktarrant91

Why did you choose to work in dementia?

It was a rather odd choice at the time given that it was an underfunded and neglected area of medicine. However, I’ve always been fascinated by the human brain, and conducting research on dementia always seemed like the most valuable thing that I could do. Fortunately since then public awareness of the condition and the size of the problem has rocketed, the politics have changed and the funding situation has improved. Dementia has also affected my family directly, though this happened after I decided to work in this area.

Follow @DrDJLlewellyn