Talks and Q&A with Dr Konstantin Glebov and Dr Jon Witton from our South West Research Network.
This session focused on important brain support cells called glia. Our speakers discussed the role these cells play in the brain and how they change and cause damages in diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Speakers
Dr Konstantin Glebov is a Lecturer in Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Plymouth. His team’s research focusses on the interaction between nerve cells and their support cells, called glia. They are exploring whether the normal protective role of glia can be harnessed to protect nerve cells from damage in Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. In this talk, he will introduce what glial cells are, and discuss how this area of research can be a major step in understanding and overcoming Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Jon Witton is a Lecturer at the University of Exeter, where he leads research studying the electrical activity in the brain. Recent research has shown that patterns of electrical activity created by nerve cells can stimulate support cells in the brain called microglia. These microglia are immune cells in the brain, and it’s their job to respond to warning signals and clear away waste. In this talk, Dr Witton will share his work studying this communication between nerve cells and microglia, and also how regulating the activity of these immune cells could hold promise for treatments for Alzheimer’s
For more information or questions about the event, please email the Public Engagement team engage@alzheimersresearchuk.org
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