Watch the Recordings: Wessex Dementia Research Conference

Recorded at the King’s Conference Centre in Southampton this talk was delivered as part of the Wessex Dementia Research Conference 2025 on 2nd July 2025.

In this joint presentation, Dr Jay Amin and Dr Brady McFarlane share the latest developments in dementia research, with a focus on clinical relevance and practical application.

Dr Amin begins with an overview of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, including the impact of modifiable risk factors, emerging diagnostic pathways, and promising updates in Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers. He also discusses the challenges and future of anti-amyloid therapies such as lecanemab and donanemab.

Dr McFarlane then provides an update on the work of the Memory Assessment and Research Centre (MARC), highlighting ongoing clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, local innovations in trial delivery, and the importance of community-based research. He shares reflections on building research into routine care and the real-world impact on patients, including a video story of Larry, a participant in a monoclonal antibody trial.

The session offers practical insight into the future of dementia care, treatment development, and research integration within community services.
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Dementia Researcher works alongside events organisers to share their work. If you're organising a dementia research event and would like us to record or share your talks, to get them open access and to reach a wider audience, get in touch:

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
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Recorded at the King’s Conference Centre in Southampton this talk was delivered as part of the Wessex Dementia Research Conference 2025 on 2nd July 2025.

In this session, Professor Jonathan Schott (University College London) provides a clear overview of blood biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease, exploring their development, current use, and what they might offer for the future of diagnosis and care.

He explains the science behind key biomarkers such as p-tau and NfL, and how these tests could be used in memory clinics, primary care, and even population-level screening. The talk addresses regulatory progress, international comparisons, and the readiness of UK services to adopt this technology. Professor Schott also shares insights from real-world clinical trials and implementation studies, raising important questions about access, equity, and interpretation.

This session offers a comprehensive look at the practical and ethical considerations of using blood tests to detect Alzheimer’s disease, while highlighting the promise and limitations of what’s to come.
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Dementia Researcher works alongside events organisers to share their work. If you're organising a dementia research event and would like us to record or share your talks, to get them open access and to reach a wider audience, get in touch:

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
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https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ https://twitter.com/demrescommunity https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

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Recorded at the King’s Conference Centre in Southampton this talk was delivered as part of the Wessex Dementia Research Conference 2025 on 2nd July 2025.

In this talk, Professor John O'Brien from University of Cambridge explores the history, current understanding, and future of Lewy body dementia (LBD). He reflects on the early pathological discoveries, including the naming debates, and how LBD came to be recognised as a distinct condition.

The session covers clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and how biomarkers such as DAT scans and REM sleep analysis are used today. Professor O'Brien discusses the challenges of accurate diagnosis, under-recognition in clinical settings, and the importance of regular reassessment. He also shares updates on promising areas of research, diagnostic tools, and clinical trials aimed at improving outcomes and developing future treatments.
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Dementia Researcher works alongside events organisers to share their work. If you're organising a dementia research event and would like us to record or share your talks, to get them open access and to reach a wider audience, get in touch:

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
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https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
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Recorded at the King’s Conference Centre in Southampton this talk was delivered as part of the Wessex Dementia Research Conference 2025 on 2nd July 2025.

In this session, Dr Elizabeth Mallam (North Bristol NHS Trust) explores Functional Cognitive Disorders (FCD), explaining what they are, how they present, and why they are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.

She outlines how FCD fits within the wider group of Functional Neurological Disorders, describing symptoms such as memory and attention difficulties that occur despite normal scans or test results. Dr Mallam highlights key features that distinguish FCD from neurodegenerative diseases, including abrupt onset, symptom variability, and a mismatch between reported experience and objective findings.

The talk also addresses the clinical and personal consequences of missed or incorrect diagnoses, as well as the importance of giving patients a clear and supportive explanation. Practical advice is provided on how to identify and manage FCD, including routes to therapy and the value of a positive diagnosis.

This session offers guidance on recognising functional symptoms and supporting patients more effectively in both clinical and research settings.
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Dementia Researcher works alongside events organisers to share their work. If you're organising a dementia research event and would like us to record or share your talks, to get them open access and to reach a wider audience, get in touch:

https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
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