Science searches for signs of dementias
Eight new research projects, that will explore a variety of techniques and technology aimed at improving detection and diagnosis of dementias, are to receive over £8 million in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) it was announced today.
The successful projects were selected following a peer review panel and were developed in response to the Sensing and Imaging for Diagnosis of Dementias (SIDD) call issued by EPSRC in December 2013.
The research will involve academics from 11 UK universities who will investigate different uses of sensing and imaging. These include:
- monitoring changes and damage in microstructures in the brain and variations in blood flow using MRI and PET
- developing diagnostic tools that innovatively use graphene-based biosensor technology in order to detect multiple biomarkers of dementia, simultaneously, at the point of care
- using computational and mathematical techniques to improve the cognitive assessment of people with or at risk from dementia
- investigating whether electroanalytical detection of changes in multiple protein markers in the blood can be used to reflect the rate of progression to Parkinson's disease and severe movement disability. This will be achieved by matching serial serum levels with detailed clinical assessments
- monitoring eye movement patterns and looking for trends that might detect and measure disease progression
- can the retina provide reliable biomarkers (signs) for future risk of dementia? Developing technologies based on imaging to reveal and enable such biomarkers to be used
- developing a device to simultaneously analyse both electrical signals from the brain and cardiovascular signal (blood flow/oxygenation) in order to understand the feasibility of these as a diagnostic tool
Life Sciences Minister, George Freeman said; "Britain is already a world leader in clinical research and it's right that we are harnessing this expertise to help tackle one of the biggest health challenges of our time; dementia. This investment will lead to improved detection and diagnosis of dementia and ultimately deliver better care for patients."
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC's Chief Executive, says: "The UK faces a huge challenge over the coming decades, we have an aging population and a likely rise in the numbers of people suffering from dementias. These research projects will improve our abilities to detect and understand dementias and how the disease progresses.
"The development of new healthcare technologies and improved clinical care are being made possible by advances in engineering, physical sciences and mathematics and we must continue to support these fields to improve the quality of life of our population."
Provided by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council