Dementia Researcher Vodcast

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast Dr Anna Volkmer hosts a discussion exploring the complexities of wandering in dementia care.

Dr Bryony Waters-Harvey & Dr Emma Hock from The University of Sheffield and Conny McGowan from The Orders of St John Care Trust discuss their research and outcomes of the NIHR funded "FREEDEM study" - Reframing 'wandering' as a meaningful activity using realist synthesis and qualitative ...

This episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast continues our coverage from the AD PD Conference 2026 in Copenhagen, one of the largest international meetings focused on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Hosted by Professor Louise Serpell, the conversation brings together Athina Grigoriou, Dr Lauren O’Neill, and Dr Sofie Let Frandsen, each sharing highlights from across the conference.

The discussion spans a wide range of topics, ...

This episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast comes from the AD PD Conference 2026 in Copenhagen, bringing together global researchers to share the latest in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease research.

Hosted by Professor David Cash, the episode features Grace Thompson, Dr Marieta Vassileva, and Dr Alice Carstairs, each offering their own highlights from across the conference.

Rather than trying to cover everything, the conversat...

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a group of language led dementias where communication difficulties appear before memory loss. Despite this, diagnosis can often take years and access to specialist support remains inconsistent.

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, Dr Annalise Rahman Filipiak speaks with Professor Jason Warren, Dr Anna Volkmer and Dr Jacqueline Kindell about the role of speech and language therapy i...

In this episode, Professor Louise Serpell is joined by 2026 Rainwater Prize winners Professor Dennis Dickson, Professor Melissa Murray and Dr Marc Busche.

They talk about their work and the science that led to them earning this much deserved award, reflecting on decades of research into tau and its role in neurodegenerative disease. The conversation explores how tau functions in the healthy brain, how it becomes harmful in condition...

In this episode of the Dementia Research Podcast, host Dr Gemma Lace is joined by guests, Dr Eric Hill from Loughborough University, Kalliopi Mavromati from University of Glasgow, Natalie Wickett from Simon Fraser University and Dr Kate Harris from Newcastle University.

Together they discuss the intersection of ADHD and research, exploring personal experiences, misconceptions, and coping strategies. The conversation highlights the u...

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast, host Adam Smith chats with with Professor Paul Freemont and researcher Tom Adam from the UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London to discuss the critical issue of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in individuals living with dementia.

The conversation highlights the complexities of diagnosing UTIs in people living with dementia, where communication barriers and atypic...

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, we focus on Lewy body dementia and why it remains one of the most misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed forms of dementia.

Released ahead of Lewy Body Dementia Day on 28 January, the conversation explores what Lewy body dementia is, how it sits between existing diagnostic categories, and why it often takes years for people to receive the right diagnosis.

Host Dr Sam Moxon is joi...

This episode shares highlights from the UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI) Connectome Conference. Host Dr Anna Mallach is joined by Dr Dayne Beccano Kelly, Dr Beth Eyre, and Tom Adam to reflect on talks, posters, and discussions that stood out.

The conversation covers lived experience sessions, keynote talks, early career presentations, and how informal conversations and parallel sessions shaped ideas and potential collaboration...

This festive special flips the script on polished papers and perfect protocols. Dr Fiona McLean is joined by Dr Ian Harrison, Dr Soraya Meftah, and Dr Kate Harris to share the research moments that did not go to plan but taught them far more than success ever could.

From ELISAs gone rogue and antibodies that refuse to behave, to admin systems that quietly derail months of planning, this episode is a reminder that real research is me...

This festive charity debate asks a question nobody saw coming but everyone had an opinion on. Would Santa Claus make a good principal investigator?

Recorded live in the Dementia Researcher Community, this Christmas special brings humour, sharp thinking, and real reflections on leadership, research culture, ethics, and academia.

The debate is hosted by Adam Smith and Dr Anna Volkmer.

Speaking for the motion is Rebecca Williams, PhD res...

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast we look at how dementia clinical trials reach far beyond medicines. Host Dr Annalise Rahman Filipiak speaks with Dr Elizabeth Rhodus, Dr Inga Antonsdottir, and Dr Elisa França Resende about entering the field, working with behavioural and community based interventions, and learning the skills needed to deliver rigorous, reproducible studies that still respect the individual needs o...

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher - Xxplored Women’s Brain Health podcast, host Dr Laura Stankeviciute speaks with Professor Claudia Barth from Charite University and Dr Gillian Coughlan from Harvard Medical School to examine the midlife transition, menopause and its significance for women’s brain health.

Together they outline what the menopause truly involves across the early, late, and post stages, and explain how hormona...

In this episode, host Dr Anna Volkmer is joined by Dr Alys Griffiths, Sophie Jeffery, and Esther Whittlesea Reed to explore a two-year Alzheimer’s Society project testing #psychotherapy for people with dementia.

Together, they discuss the importance of therapy in #dementia care, the barriers to access, the development of new therapist competencies, and the lived experience of psychotherapy from both clinical and personal perspective...

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, host Dr Anna Volkmer, Associate Professor at UCL and Speech and Language Therapist explores the experiences of young carers in families affected by dementia, the challenges they face, the support they receive, and what more could and should be done.

Anna is joined by Dr Patricia Masterson Algar a Lecturer at Bangor University, leading new research funded by Health and Care Research...

In our first episode of the XXplored Women's Brain Health podcast, our resident expert and host Dr Laura Stankeviciute from University of Gothenburg engages with leading neuroscientists Professor Liisa Galea from University of Toronto and Dr Maria Teresa Ferretti from Karolinska Institutet to explore the critical intersection of sex, gender, and brain health.

Together our guests discuss their personal journeys into neuroscience, the...

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher Podcast, host Adam Smith (Programme Director at UCL) is joined by Dr Sam Moxon, Dr Lindsey Sinclair, and Dr Ece Bayram to explore the art of delivering lightning talks.

Together they share practical advice on structuring short presentations, handling nerves, designing impactful slides, and engaging diverse audiences. With personal anecdotes and strategies from their own conference experienc...

In this episode of the Dementia Researcher podcast, host Adam Smith discusses the upcoming AAIC Neuroscience Next Conference with guests Tricia Nicholson, Dr Amanda Heslgrave, and Kalli Mavromati. They explore the unique hybrid format of the conference, which combines in-person and virtual elements, making it accessible to a global audience.

The conversation highlights the focus on biomarkers in dementia research, the importance of ...

In this episode we welcome three GBHI Fellows: guest host and filmmaker Michelle Memran, documentary photographer Alex Kornhuber, and social sciences academic Dr Sonata Mačiulskytė. Together they explore the ways in which caregiving, creativity, and change come together in the context of dementia.

Drawing on their experiences of supporting loved ones with dementia, they reflect on how these personal journeys have influenced their pr...