RCBB Research Talk - Dr Kirsty Lu (University College London)

What can the 1946 British Birth Cohort teach us about ageing and preclinical dementia?

In this RCBB Research Talk Dr Kirsty Lu (University College London) will present her current research under the title "What can the 1946 British Birth Cohort teach us about ageing and preclinical dementia?".

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Abstract:

The 1946 British Birth Cohort is the world's longest continuously running cohort study. Participants were all born during the same week in March 1946 and have been followed up throughout their entire lives. Over the last decade, a sub-sample of participants have taken part in an intensive neuroscience study called 'Insight 46' to investigate brain ageing and preclinical dementia. Kirsty Lu leads the neuropsychology research within this study, focussing on detecting and tracking early cognitive changes and how they relate to biomarkers of Alzheimer's pathology (e.g. neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers). She will present an overview of results from this work, including approaches to enhancing the sensitivity of cognitive tests (e.g. using item-level data to develop nuanced outcome metrics; using smart-pens to extract timing information on traditional drawing/writing tests). She will also discuss her experience of transitioning from in-person to remote digital cognitive assessments, and the likely future healthcare applications of these technologies (e.g. in population screening programmes for preclinical dementia). She will highlight opportunities for accessing the rich data available from Britain's Birth Cohorts to address research questions across many areas of health and disease.

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Introduction by Dr Davide Bruno.

If you have any queries, please contact Davide Bruno, Emma Ashworth, or Michael Richter.