Emma Mead, PhD, Alzheimer’s Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, is focused on unravelling effective therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A key research priority is the development of disease-modifying therapies for AD. Recent positive results in this area have been groundbreaking, with the approval of amyloid targeting antibodies making history as the first agents able to tackle disease progression. However, AD is a complex disease with multiple stages and points of intervention. While targeting (Aβ) plaque build-up is crucial, there are other stages within the disease that can also be targeted. One potential avenue is modifying immune function in microglia, the immune cells in the brain. By targeting microglia function at an earlier stage, it may be possible to delay the progression of AD, allowing individuals to live longer without advanced dementia symptoms. In addition to disease modification, addressing the psychiatric symptoms associated with AD is also important. Finding relief for these psychiatric symptoms can significantly improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers. This interview took place at The BNA 2023 International Festival of Neuroscience in Brighton, UK.
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