With four weeks to go until the Rome Marathon I thought I should try and raise some money for a good cause. The cause is one that is close to home in recent times and with almost 1,000,000 people living with Dementia in the UK it affects so many more. The marathon represents a big personal challenge for me. Having not run more than 10k prior to signing up, my mix of ego and ignorance was quickly humbled on my first long training run. Now I seriously can't wait for it to be over...

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a broad term for a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. It affects memory, reasoning, language, and problem-solving. The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms often start with mild forgetfulness and progress to confusion, personality changes, and loss of independence. Currently there is no cure, only treatments to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for those suffering.

Who are Race Against Dementia (RAD)? https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/

Race Against Dementia is a charity founded by former Formula 1 driver Sir Jackie Stewart to fund innovative research into preventing and curing dementia. The organization supports early-career scientists through its Race Against Dementia Fellowship, providing funding, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities with experts from fields like motorsport, technology, and medicine. It also runs the Ignition Fund, which provides grants for high-risk, high-reward dementia research projects that might struggle to get traditional funding.

Recent Research:

(1) Focused Ultrasound Technology: A project funded by RAD is exploring the use of focused ultrasound technology to address cognitive decline in patients with Lewy body dementia.

(2) Blood Test for Early Detection: RAD supports research into a simple blood test designed to detect early signs of dementia decades before symptoms develop. This initiative aims to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention, potentially slowing or preventing the progression of the disease.

(3) Investigating Air Pollution's Role in Dementia: RAD is exploring the potential link between air pollution and dementia. This team is investigating how exposure to polluted air may trigger neurodegenerative processes.

(4) Dyson RAD Dementia Research Acceleration Project: In partnership with the James Dyson Foundation and the University of Edinburgh, RAD is investigating the biology of human brain tissue to better understand how Alzheimer's disease damages the brain.

(5) Uncovering Links Between Strokes and Dementia Risk: Dr. Elise Milosevich, a recent RAD Fellow, is examining how infections and inflammation may increase the risk of vascular dementia. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanisms connecting stroke events to cognitive decline.

(6) Collaborative Research at Diamond Light Source: RAD Fellows Dr. Karissa Barthelson and Dr. Jake Brooks have partnered to study the accumulation of iron particles in the brain, particularly concerning Sanfilippo syndrome—a rare cause of childhood dementia.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far, any donations would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Matt