
International Symposium on ALS / MND Roundup 2023
Dementia Researcher Vodcast
12/14/23
•29m
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The 34th International Symposium on ALS / MND organised by the MND Association took place in Basel, Switzerland from the 6-8 December 2023.
In this podcast Dr Alys Griffiths from The University of Sheffield hosts a discussion with three researchers to talk about their talks, and highlights from the biggest annual conference dedicated to ALS and MND research. Sharing news from researchers working around the world to better understand amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and motor neurone disease.
Sharing their highlights are:
Alicia Northall, Postdoctoral Researcher from University of Oxford. Alicia recently moved back to the UK after completing her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Tubingen / Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg in Germany. Alicia’s works in Neuroimaging to characterise microstructural changes to the brain in living patients using 7-Tesla MRI.
Dr Philip McGoldrick, Research Associate at University of Toronto. Phil completed his PhD at University College London and is interested in the basic mechanisms that contribute to disease progression and investigate them using a mixture of cell and animal models, alongside post mortem patient tissue.
Amber Sewell-Green is a PhD Candidate and Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) at University of Queensland, Australia. Amber’s research is focused on improving Nutrition Care Guidelines for MND looking at energy balance and the role of lipids in ALS.
Heather Marriott is a PhD Student at King’s College London. Amber undertakes analysis of next-generation sequencing data using bioinformatics and machine learning to advance personalised medicine approaches in ALS/MND.
Links mentioned in the show:
Event website: https://symposium.mndassociation.org/
News from the event as it happened on X: https://bit.ly/alsmndsymp
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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:
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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.
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Previous Episode

Harmonising Minds Dementia Friendly Music & Arts
December 10, 2023
•41m
In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast, guest host Dr Robyn Dowlen leads a fascinating exploration of the intersection of music, arts, and inclusivity in the context of dementia.
This episode features a trio of remarkable guests who have been instrumental in integrating dementia-friendly initiatives into the arts. Our guests are Holly Marland, Former Churchill Fellow and Music Therapist and dedicated advocate for community music projects; Dr Andy Northcott from the University of West London, who brings an academic perspective on the impact of arts and how to make events more accessible; and Liv McLennan from Sounds Better Community Interest Company, a pioneer in using music as a bridge to memory and joy.
The episode explores the inspiring stories behind our guests’ projects, ranging from festivals to operas, highlighting how they’re creating spaces where every note and performance opens doors to accessibility and understanding. Robyn, a researcher at the University of Manchester, also shares insights from her work on capturing the musical experiences of people with dementia. This episode is not just about the arts, but also about how these initiatives foster community, inclusivity, and a deeper understanding of dementia’s impact on lives. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that promises to be as informative as it is inspiring, showcasing the powerful role of arts in enhancing the lives of those living with dementia.
Links mentioned in the show:
- Sounds Better CIC – https://soundsbettercic.org/
- So Many Beauties – https://somanybeauties.org/
- The Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory – https://www.uwl.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-groups/geller-institute-ageing-and-memory
--
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

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.
--
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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