
Crossing Borders: Exploring the Blood-Brain Barrier
Dementia Researcher Vodcast
01/07/24
•43m
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Dr Fiona McLean, ARUK Research Fellow, University of Dundee is joined by fellow experts Dr Kate Harris and Dr Sophie Morse, to explore the intricacies of the blood-brain barrier and its pivotal role in dementia research.
They discuss pioneering methods in overcoming the barrier for drug delivery, the significance of endothelial cells in barrier integrity, and novel approaches in treating neurodegenerative diseases. The conversation also touches on the collaborative nature of neuroscience, offering invaluable insights for newcomers to the field. Don’t miss this deep dive into the forefront of dementia research.
Meet the guests:
Dr Sophie Morse is a Research Fellow & UK DRI Emerging Leader at Imperial College London, within the UK Dementia Research Institute. Sophie is a biomedical engineer who leads a research group exploring the use of Therapeutic Ultrasound for Brain Diseases.
Dr Kate Harris is an Academic Track Alzheimer’s Research UK Fellow in Drug Discovery at Newcastle University. Kate is working on finding new drug targets for neurodegenerative disease in neuroinflammation.
Links mentioned in the show:
Rapid short-pulses of focused ultrasound and microbubbles deliver a range of agent sizes to the brain – https://bit.ly/41PFvuh
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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.
If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.
Leave us a tip:
https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support
Follow us on social media:
- https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
- https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
- https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
- https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
Download and Register with our Community App:
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We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.
Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':
Previous Episode

2023 End of Year Reflections from Dementia Researchers
December 19, 2023
•67m
Happy Holidays to all our listeners. Celebrate the season with the Dementia Researcher Podcast Christmas Special!
Hosted by Adam Smith, this episode features regular bloggers from the Dementia Researcher website, Dr Anna Volkmer, Dr Connor Richardson, Dr Clarissa Giebel, Hannah Hussain, Dr Jodi Watt, and Ajantha Abey.
Together, they reminisce about their 2023 journeys, discuss groundbreaking developments in their research field and explore what they’re most excited about for the coming year. Laced with humor and camaraderie, the episode includes a fun engaging quiz, making for a delightful mix of reflection, anticipation, and festive fun.
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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.
If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.
Leave us a tip:
https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support
Follow us on social media:
- https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
- https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
- https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
- https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
Download and Register with our Community App:
https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.
Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':
Next Episode

Behind the Approval: Research Ethics & Consent
January 21, 2024
•44m
Join PhD Student and Guest Host Rebecca Williams as she explores the often intricate and crucial world of research ethics approvals and participant consent in dementia research.
Rebecca is joined by experts: Dr Anna Volkmer, a Senior Research Fellow at University College London, Dr Victoria Shepherd, Senior Fellow from Cardiff University, and Danielle Wilson, Head of Commercialisation and Ethics Chair from the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London.
Our panelists bring a wealth of experience from various backgrounds, including speech and language therapy, nursing, research delivery, capacity evaluation, consent and health research ethics. They offer invaluable insights into the ethical, legal, and practical challenges of involving people with dementia and other conditions in research. The discussion covers a range of topics including the basics of research ethics, how to apply and manage participant consent, with tips for new applicants and goes further to explore the evolving landscape of research ethics in the age of emerging technologies like AI.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone researchers involved in health and social care. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or new to the field, and making your first ethics application this show offers a unique opportunity to hear from experts who have led ethics panels and navigated these challenges themselves.
Resources discussed in the show:
- HRA – Research Ethics Service and Research Ethics Committees
- HRA – What approvals and decisions do I need?
- NIHR INCLUDE Impaired Capacity to Consent Framework
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A transcript of this show, links and show notes and profile on all our guests are available on our website at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk.
If you prefer to watch rather than listen, you will find a video version of this podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and on our website.
Leave us a tip:
https://dementia-researcher.captivate.fm/support
Follow us on social media:
- https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
- https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
- https://www.twitter.com/demrescommunity
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
- https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
Download and Register with our Community App:
https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders: Alzheimer’s Association, Race Against Dementia, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
The views and opinions expressed by guests in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the producers, funders, or sponsors.
Subscribe to our sister show 'Dementia Researcher The Blogs':
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