Doctoral Training Centre for Vascular and Immune contributors to dementia

Lead researcher: Professor Stuart Allan, Manchester University

Collaborating institutions: Manchester University, University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London, and St George’s University of London

Awarded: £2,985,846.00

Start date: September 2024

End date: September 2033 

I am excited to be leading this DTC and having the opportunity to work with my colleagues at institutes across the UK in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, to train the next generation of dementia researchers. With recent breakthroughs in disease modifying treatments this is an exciting time for dementia research, and I look forward to seeing our students add important new knowledge to the field over the coming years.

- Professor Stuart Allan 

About the Centre’s research focus

The Doctoral Training Centre for Vascular and Immune Contributions to Dementia focuses on how the body’s blood supply system (cardiovascular system), and the body’s immune system contribute to dementia.

Researchers understand that changes to blood vessels and immune cells in the brain can have a major impact on dementia. It is estimated that at least 70% of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease also have features of damage to the brain blood vessels and changes in the brain immune cells.

In a healthy brain, the blood flows as normal through blood vessels, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients. This allows the brain to function properly. However, if the blood supply to the brain is reduced or disrupted, the blood vessels become damaged and leaky. As a result, the brain can become inflamed, increasing the number of immune cells, which prevents it from functioning properly. The brain cells lose their usual functions and can die, leading to dementia symptoms.

To be able to stop these events from happening, researchers must understand how and why these processes take place in disease. This will allow them to improve dementia care and diagnosis and will help to develop new ways to treat dementia in the future. The Centre will focus on training the next generation of researchers who will focus specifically on investigating these processes.

This Doctoral Training Centre will train 29 PhD students over 8 years. Throughout the 8 years, the researchers will focus on using cutting-edge science to understand the mechanisms behind how dementia develops, to find new treatments and new approaches that will ultimately improve the lives of those affected by dementia.

Our students will be part of a dynamic and collaborative research environment, spanning four leading institutions across the UK. They will have unique opportunities to work with academics across these institutions and engage with other students through bespoke events. Our partnership with Alzheimer’s Society will give the students the opportunity to directly engage with Research Network volunteers and those affected be dementia.

- Professor Stuart Allan