Raising funds for and awareness of dementia research in Lancaster University’s Division of Biomedical Sciences.
Dementia, the leading form of which is Alzheimer’s disease, is an absolutely devastating group of conditions. For people living with these conditions and their families a dementia diagnosis is the start of an immense emotional and physical journey. This is why organisations like Defying Dementia have been established in an effort to contribute, at a local level, to the development of drugs and identification of drug targets for the treatment of dementia.
Prior to David Allsop’s passing, his research group at Lancaster University had been developing a way of treating Alzheimer’s. The condition is caused by the accumulation of ‘clumps’ of poisonous protein fragments in the brain that kill nerve cells. These clumps are formed mainly from two sticky proteins called ‘amyloid beta’ and ‘tau’. David initially developed a drug that could stop/slow down the formation of amyloid beta clumps and was working on developing it further to stop the formation of tau clumps. Essentially, the drugs work by sticking many copies of another protein fragment, similar to the ones in the poisonous clumps, to the surface of tiny fat droplets called liposomes. The liposomes help get the protein fragments into the brain where the latter insert themselves into the toxic clumps and cause them to dissolve.
As a group of neurodegeneration scientists at Lancaster University, we wish to see David’s research legacy continued and, at the same time, develop it further to incorporate additional aspects of our own research with the overarching aim of developing a drug effective against Alzheimer’s.
Dr Ed Parkin, the Defying Dementia scientific lead (far left opposite), is looking at ways of utilising protective proteins in the brain that work to combat Alzheimer's. Cheryl Hawkes (second from left) works on ways of improving communication between nerve cells in the brain and improving blood supply to the organ, both of which are important in the prevention of Alzheimer's. Neil Dawson (second from right) worked closely with David Allsop and is developing ways of combining his drugs into a single treatment that simultaneously reduces both amyloid beta and tau clumps in the brain. Finally, our newest recruit, Shefeeq Theparambil (far right) investigates the role played by house-keeping cells called astrocytes in Alzheimer's.
Collectively, we form a strong research team passionate about continuing the development of a drug that has the potential to slow down, or even stop the progression of this devastating disease. With your help, our research will contribute to making this possible!
From the left: Dr Edward Parkin, Dr Cheryl Hawkes, Dr Neil Dawson and Dr Shefeeq Theparambil
The importance of Defying Dementia
This video reveals why our Alzheimer’s drug must be brought to life. With each passing moment, people across the world lose their memories, their independence, and their connection to loved ones because of this relentless disease. We believe in the power of hope, science, and community to make a change.
Please explore below to learn more about the Defying Dementia campaign and the incredible work being done to turn the tide against Alzheimer’s.
Our latest news and comment
See below the latest news regarding our dementia research activities in the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences at Lancaster University along with expert comment on the latest dementia stories making the news.
It is with great thanks to our supporters that we are proud to introduce you to our latest Defying Dementia-funded researcher, Darcie Lovell (shown working with fly models of Alzheimer’s). Darcie was a Defying Dementia Student Society-funded undergraduate summer intern working in our labs alongside Alice Wood (PhD student funded by Defying Dementia). We found her to be extremely committed to her research and studies and hope that she will build a fantastic future research career in the fight against dementia. So we were really happy when she accepted our offer of her undertaking a further research degree in the Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences at Lancaster University. She will be jointly supervised in her studies by all four lead Defying Dementia scientists and will start her research in October 2025 following the completion of her undergraduate degree. No doubt you will meet her at one of our future lab open days!
Our latest Defying Dementia open day was a great success
It's always a pleasure to invite our supporters in to hear about our research and see how/where we conduct it in our labs. As such the Defying Dementia team recently hosted an insightful lab tour and talk event at Lancaster University. Chaired by Dr Ed Parkin, the event offered attendees a unique opportunity to explore the innovative dementia research being conducted at the University. PhD researchers Alice Wood and Hannah Chadwick shared information about their research with guests, and Dr Cheryl Hawkes updated the group on plans for creating a Defying Dementia ‘Patient and Public Involvement’ group. Joined by Dr Neil Dawson, guests were then taken on an insightful tour of the laboratories to see some of the research in action.
PROTACS as Alzheimer's drugs
Defying Dementia leads Neil Dawson and Ed Parkin have recently teamed up with one of our Lancaster-based cancer researchers, Dr Andrew Fielding (shown here) to successfully obtain funding from Alzheimer's Research UK to undertake a pilot study on PROTACS as potential drugs to treat Alzheimer's. PROTACS, rather like antibodies in our immune system, recognise specific proteins but, unlike antibodies, PROTACS target the proteins to which they bind to the degradation machinery of the cell (rather like a car dismantling plant). We hope to design PROTACS to bind to a protein called PDE4 depletion of which is thought to be beneficial in the Alzheimer's-afflicted brain.
Congratulations to Dr Amelia Bryers
Congratulations to Dr Amelia Bryers, one of our previous DD-funded PhD students (pictured on the right here alongside another DD-funded PhD student Alice Wood) who recently successfully defended her PhD thesis which examined the role of a molecule called neurexin1alpha on the surface of nerve cells in the brain. The molecule helps nerve cells to make contact with each other strengthening the transmission of impulses. Amongst other things Amelia examined how levels of neurexin1alpha were controlled at the cell surface. If we can develop a specific way of preventing the release of the molecule from the nerve cell surface then we might be able to enhance the strength of contacts between nerves to strengthen cognition in people living with dementia. We congratulate Amelia and hope she will continue with a career in dementia. Thank you all once more for supporting the research of our PhD students!
Funding success for DD leads
Defying dementia leads Shefeeq Theparambil and Ed Parkin, along with our colleague Nick Robinson have recently been awarded a Faculty of Health and Medicine funded PhD studentship to study the role of astrocytes (house keeper cells in the brain) in dementia. This is great as it means it now costs Defying Dementia about £70k less to fund the work of this research student! Shefeeq has also been successful in other respects, obtaining £5k of funding from Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) for a one year project to investigate how astrocytes regulate acidity in the brain in Alzheimer's. He has also received £162k from ARUK to investigate the role of a molecule called, adenosine 2b receptor, in regulating blood flow in the brain and how this might relate to Alzheimer's. Congratulations Shefeeq and we look forward to hearing more about this research at future DD open days.
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About Defying Dementia
Defying Dementia is a community-supported campaign aiming to change the world that we live in and make a real difference to people's lives by tackling the big threat that is presented by Alzheimer's disease.
There are currently no drugs available that cure Alzheimer’s, none that prevent it, and not even any drugs that are able to slow down its progression.
Defying Dementia was founded in 2015 by Dr Penny Foulds, in order to progress a promising Alzheimer's drug (developed by Professor David Allsop and his team) into human clinical trials. We have been conducting important pre-clinical experiments on this treatment, thanks to the money that has been donated through the Defying Dementia campaign. We hope that our drug will be able to progress into human clinical trials very soon, which will take place at Blackpool-based MAC Clinical Research.
The campaign has now expanded to include regular events for the community such as The Bay Dementia Hub, Freshers Young Onset Cafes, sponsored walks, lectures and the Defying Dementia Fundraising and Community Shop at 50 Church St, Lancaster.
With an ageing population, more families are going to face the heartbreak caused by this disease that destroys memory, personality and movement, unless we can tackle it now.
The Defying Dementia Team
Meet our Defying Dementia team at Lancaster University who are fundraising for, and carrying out this important research into neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr Edward Parkin is a senior lecturer at Lancaster and his research centres around the breakdown of a protein in the body called ‘amyloid precursor protein (APP)’. Toxic fragments clipped out of APP by molecular scissors are called amyloid-beta-peptides and are one of the sticky protein fragments that can clump together and become toxic to nerve cells in the brain in Alzheimer’s. Fortunately, there are alternative ways that APP can be cleaved by different molecular scissors, some of which preclude toxic fragment formation and, instead, lead to the formation of alternative protective soluble APP (sAPP) fragments in the brain. Edward’s research looks into these beneficial pathways and attempts to develop gene therapy methods to enhance their function in the brain as a way of treating Alzheimer’s.
Dr Neil Dawson a senior lecturer at Lancaster, investigates how genetic and environmental risk factors for dementia impact on the brain, behaviour and cognition. He also studies how brain imaging can give us a greater insight into brain diseases, and how this can be used in developing new drugs for the disorder. His recent research has focused on the therapeutic potential of protein aggregation inhibitors, synaptic protein processing inhibitors and the enzyme phosphodiesterase-4 in dementia.
Dr Cheryl Hawes, a senior lecturer at Lancaster, conducts research designed to understand the causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In particular, she focuses on the development of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) a condition in which the toxic amyloid-beta-peptides associated with Alzheimer’s accumulate in the walls of blood vessels in the brain. She is interested in how risk factors for Alzheimer’s such as ageing and obesity, affect the structure of the blood vessels and their ability to remove amyloid-beta-peptides from the brain. Cheryl is also interested in how the early life environment, including maternal and paternal obesity, impacts on the health and function of the offspring brain and if the early life environment predisposes individuals towards developing age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Dr Shefeeq Theparambil, a lecturer at Lancaster, investigates the mechanisms regulating brain energy production and their links to the flow of ions across cell membranes and related communication pathways between cells. His research focuses on the role of glial cells, such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, which make up around 50% of all cells in the brain (the rest being nerve cells) their roles being to support and protect the nerve cells. Recently, he started exploring how disruptions in these glial functions affect nerve cell activity in dementia. Additionally, he examines how disturbances in brain acidity may affect nerve cell survival in conditions such as stroke and dementia.
The Defying Dementia funding model centres around educating our future dementia researchers. These individuals are the 'coal face' workers who conduct the research funded by the organisation:
Amelia Bryers
Amelia Bryers is studying for a PhD at Lancaster University funded by Defying Dementia and investigates how a molecule called neurexin1 binds nerve cells together allowing them to communicate. She is examining how the molecule is broken down into fragments; controlling this breakdown might improve communication between nerve cells in the brain.
Alice Wood
Alice Wood is undertaking a PhD funded by Defying Demetia. She is currently investigating novel fragments of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) that may protect against Alzheimer’s She has already shown in cell cultures that certain fragments promote cell proliferation whilst others are toxic. She is now progressing this research into fly models of Alzheimer’s
Darcy Lovell
Darcy Lovell recently undertook a summer undergraduate internship in our laboratories funded by the Defying Dementia Student Society. She helped Alice Wood with her fly models of Alzheimer’s disease and is hoping to undertake a Defying Dementia funded research degree in the future.
Lauren Owens
Lauren Owens recently successfully obtained her PhD, undertaking a Defying Dementia funded project investigating the role of a molecule called soluble APPalpha in Alzheimer's. Conventional thinking is that a small toxic protein called amyloid beta causes nerve cell death in the disease. However, the increased production of amyloid beta comes at the cost of soluble APPalpha production. The latter molecule has lots of benefits for nerve cells (including stimulating their growth and protecting them, against toxic events) and Lauren’s work suggests that it might be the depletion of soluble APPalpha, as much as the accumulation of amyloid beta, that causes Alzheimer’s
Useful Resources
Please find below useful links and resources containing information about dementia, dementia service providers and community groups.
Age UK Lancashire: A charity that works with and for older people in Lancashire. They offer a range of services including social groups, luncheon clubs, exercise classes, computer lessons and home help services to assist older people in remaining active, independent and linked into their local community.
Boots Repeat Prescription Service:Boots Pharmacies can have your medicines ready and waiting at the Pharmacy instead of you having to go to the doctor to pick up your prescription. The Pharmacy can also let you know when the Doctor needs to see you for a review, send you texts when your prescription is ready and you can also order medicines you don't use regularly in-store or online.
Dementia Action Alliance: The DAA bring together organisations across the UK that are committed to transforming the lives of people with dementia and their carers.
Lancaster Clinical Assessment Volunteering:The Lancaster Clinical Assessment is the final clinical practical assessment for 4th-year medical students studying at Lancaster University. Each year people who have a variety of health issues or conditions who are willing to tell their stories and be examined by students are needed. For more information, please telephone 01524 516044 or email clinical.skills@mbht.nhs.uk
Unique Homecare: Long-term supporters of Defying Dementia, Unique Homecare are leading provider of home care services based in Galgate, Lincoln and Skipton. If you are in need of short-term relief or a more permanent care arrangement, Unique can provide you with the care you need. In addition to this, they also host a number of free dementia support groups and workshops to support the families and loved ones of those living with dementia.
Please note: The facts and information contained in the above sites are from external sources and not from Defying Dementia.
Join the Defying Dementia Fundraising campaign
Lancaster University’s Defying Dementia campaign needs your help in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. By supporting our work, you can make a real impact for those affected by Alzheimer’s and related conditions.
How You Can Help
There are many ways to join us in our mission. You can:
Make a Donation to fund critical research.
Volunteer by organising your own fundraising event or assisting at one of ours.
Join Our Team of Volunteers and become part of our enthusiastic and dedicated community. We welcome new members who want to make a difference alongside our wonderful existing team.
Our volunteers have organised bake sales, run marathons, held community events, and even walked Hadrian’s Wall to raise funds for Defying Dementia! Whatever your idea, big or small, we’re here to help you bring it to life.
We’re incredibly fortunate to have the Defying Dementia Student Society at Lancaster University supporting our fundraising and awareness efforts. This passionate group of students plays a crucial role in spreading the message about our work and raising vital funds for our campaigns.
The Defying Dementia Student Society is dedicated to raising awareness and rallying support for the cause within the student community. They organise a variety of exciting events, including socials, fundraisers, and educational activities. Past events have included a Santa Dash, Pub Quiz, and shop bag packing. The Society also holds regular meetings each term, where members can learn more about the cutting-edge research taking place at Lancaster University.
Prefer to donate by post? Download our donation form or send a cheque to the address below.
Freepost Address: RTHB-JYYX-RZTK, Alumni & Development Office, Lancaster University, University House, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YW
Please make cheques payable to 'Lancaster University'.
Memorial donations
Contact us if you wish to make a collection in memory of a loved one at a memorial service. Your support is vital to our progress. Thank you for standing with us in the fight against dementia.
By Post
Development and Alumni Relations C Floor University House Lancaster University Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW United Kingdom
