Minds in Motion: Dr Katie Breheny - Health Economics in Dementia Care

Dementia Researcher Vodcast

03/16/25

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25m

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The Minds in Motion Podcast from Dementia Researcher in association with the NIHR Applied Research Collaborations and Alzheimer’s Society, brings together NIHR Dem Comm Research Fellows, to talk about their research and careers.

In this second series, we hear from five of the Dem Comm Fellows each taking a turn as co-host and guest. Alongside the researchers we have the incredible Trevor Salomon, Alzheimer’s Society Volunteer & Chair of the European Dementia Carers Working Group as our permanent co-host and anchor.

In show Trevor is joined by the guest from our previous show Dr Lis Grey from University of Bristol and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) West to interview Dr Katie Breheny.

Katy works in the NIHR ARC West and University of Bristol. Katie is a health economist focused on improving the way we assess and value healthcare interventions for people living with dementia. Her research explores how traditional health economic methods can be adapted to better capture wellbeing and quality of life in dementia care. With a background in psychology, Katie’s work spans health economics, patient-reported outcomes, and methodological research, ensuring that economic evaluations reflect the real-world needs of individuals, carers, and service providers. She is particularly interested in making assessments more inclusive and meaningful, while also working on innovative projects such as adapting wellbeing questionnaires and developing personalised digital tools to support dementia care.

Dem Comm is a 2 year programme funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research and the Alzheimer's Society. It supports a new generation of dementia research leaders, bringing together researchers from different multidisciplinary backgrounds to encourage cross-cutting and community-orientated dementia research projects that can address key gaps in the evidence around dementia care and support, delivering transformative translational research.

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

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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':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs

Previous Episode

Alzheimer's Research UK Conference Highlights 2025

March 2, 2025

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52m

Last week we were in Birmingham for this years Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference. Hearing from researchers talking about their work and to learn about the latest discoveries in dementia research.

In the show guest host and regular blogger Rebecca Williams talks with Dr Beth Williams, from the UK Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Gargi Roy from Bristol Medical School and Donatella Di Rienzo from the Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute.

Here are 10 key highlights:

The 100+ Study: Discover why some people over 100 remain cognitively healthy and what genetic and lifestyle factors might be protecting them.
A Revolutionary Drug Delivery Method: Learn about cutting-edge non-invasive ultrasound technology that could help deliver drugs directly to the brain without damaging the blood-brain barrier.
The Great Amyloid Debate: Is targeting amyloid the way to cure Alzheimer's, or just a way? Hear experts discuss the latest treatments and their real-world impact.
The Power of Early Career Researchers: Insightful presentations from young scientists, including work on novel biomarkers for pericyte injury and synaptic compensation in Alzheimer’s disease.
Networking Tips: Top advice on making the most of conferences, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building career-changing connections.
A Game-Changer in Diagnosis? The latest on blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's, which could allow for early, accessible, and more accurate diagnoses.
Women in Neuroscience UK: A look at this inspiring community, supporting women in dementia research – and their amazing science-themed stickers!
Brain-Shuttle Technology: A fascinating session on how Roche's new technology is enabling antibody therapies to cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively.
The Role of Patient and Public Involvement: How listening to the voices of those affected by dementia is shaping future research and clinical trials.
The Most Memorable Advice: The ECR panel shares their top career lessons, from persistence in grant applications to embracing new research challenges.

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:

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

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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Next Episode

Of Mice and Men… and Toxins: The Environmental Link to Dementia

March 28, 2025

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45m

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, guest host Dr Sam Moxon is joined by Dr Adam Schuller, Dr Savannah Rocha-Wrigley, and Megan Hager from Colorado State University's Tjalkens Lab to explore the significant yet often overlooked impact of environmental toxins on dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.

This fascinating discussion sheds light on how substances such as pesticides, heavy metals, wildfire smoke, and air pollution can trigger changes in glial cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, which may lead to dementia. The experts share insights into groundbreaking experimental models, imaging technologies, and the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce toxin-related risks.

Key Topics:

Defining environmental toxins and their relevance to dementia
Role of astrocytes and microglia in neurodegeneration
Translational neurotoxicology models
Advanced AI imaging and analysis techniques
Preventative strategies to mitigate environmental risks

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:

Download and Register with our Community App:

https://www.onelink.to/dementiaresearcher

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':

https://podfollow.com/dementia-researcher-blogs