Rising to the Challenge: Understanding causes and consequences of neural overactivation in young adult APOE-e4 carriers
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Psychology
Abstract
Apolipoproteins (APOs) form a diverse family of proteins with important functions in all cells. There are two major subtypes and several classes and sub-classes, one of which is APOE This protein is expressed in the brain, where it has a role in neurogenesis, plasticity and repair. APO-E has attracted most attention because one of its three forms (APOE-e4) is the single most important known genetic risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease. Also, healthy older carriers of the e4 variant suffer a steeper decline in intellectual ability in older adulthood than do non-carriers.
Intriguingly, recent experiments in my laboratory and others establish the surprising finding in young adult e4 carriers that they can out perform non-carriers on tasks requiring mental concentration. Brain scans performed on these young adults revealed that their brains differed from non-carriers in showing increased levels of activation in key brain regions when completing cognitive tasks. Comparing e4 carriers at young (18-28 years) and mid (45-55 years) adulthood, we found that brain activity in mid-adult e4 carriers resembled that normally seen in healthy older (70+) volunteers. This provides us with an experimental hypothesis for the paradoxical effects observed in e4 carriers across the lifespan. In sum, we suggest that e4 carriers are manifesting unusual brain activations from early adulthood, and that this produces two consequences. 1. It places undue metabolic stress on regions of the brain important for mental activity, 2. It exhausts the capacity for later-life compensatory activations in task-relevant regions and necessitates age-inappropriate recruitment of other brain regions in order to respond to task demands.
Building on the last BBSRC project, we propose to look at behaviour and brain activation patterns in young e4 carriers exposed to a particular set of psychological challenges. The aim of this proposal is to determine when, and why, young adult e4 carriers' brains overactivate in response to cognitive challenge. We will find out if the overactivity is limited to particular modes of cognitive processing, whether it is always present or reactive to task demands, and, importantly, whether it is plastic enough to enable it to be 'switched off' under certain circumstances. In addition, we will test the relationship between brain overactivity and the release of damaging brain substances associated with challenge and stress, thereby linking the brain activity directly to a potential mechanism through which the e4 variant of APOE exerts negative long term brain changes.
Research outcomes will be: 1) an improved understanding of the early life consequences of carrying the e4 variant of APOE 2) the identification of cognitive operations that elicit brain overactivations in e4 carriers, and 3) an understanding of the mechanisms that link overactivity to release of damaging stress-hormones in the young adult brain. Together these advances will directly inform the development of behavioural and cognitive strategies and techniques which can be recommended to carriers of e4. This we propose would mitigate the effects of brain overactivation and thereby enhance the prospects for healthy cognitive ageing in older adulthood. As such, this work relates directly to the current priority "Ageing research: lifelong health and wellbeing" and to Strategic priority 3 in the Strategic plan, to "Generate new knowledge of the biological mechanisms of ageing" and deliver "fundamental bioscience for better health and improved quality of life across the lifecourse, reducing the need for medical and social intervention".
Intriguingly, recent experiments in my laboratory and others establish the surprising finding in young adult e4 carriers that they can out perform non-carriers on tasks requiring mental concentration. Brain scans performed on these young adults revealed that their brains differed from non-carriers in showing increased levels of activation in key brain regions when completing cognitive tasks. Comparing e4 carriers at young (18-28 years) and mid (45-55 years) adulthood, we found that brain activity in mid-adult e4 carriers resembled that normally seen in healthy older (70+) volunteers. This provides us with an experimental hypothesis for the paradoxical effects observed in e4 carriers across the lifespan. In sum, we suggest that e4 carriers are manifesting unusual brain activations from early adulthood, and that this produces two consequences. 1. It places undue metabolic stress on regions of the brain important for mental activity, 2. It exhausts the capacity for later-life compensatory activations in task-relevant regions and necessitates age-inappropriate recruitment of other brain regions in order to respond to task demands.
Building on the last BBSRC project, we propose to look at behaviour and brain activation patterns in young e4 carriers exposed to a particular set of psychological challenges. The aim of this proposal is to determine when, and why, young adult e4 carriers' brains overactivate in response to cognitive challenge. We will find out if the overactivity is limited to particular modes of cognitive processing, whether it is always present or reactive to task demands, and, importantly, whether it is plastic enough to enable it to be 'switched off' under certain circumstances. In addition, we will test the relationship between brain overactivity and the release of damaging brain substances associated with challenge and stress, thereby linking the brain activity directly to a potential mechanism through which the e4 variant of APOE exerts negative long term brain changes.
Research outcomes will be: 1) an improved understanding of the early life consequences of carrying the e4 variant of APOE 2) the identification of cognitive operations that elicit brain overactivations in e4 carriers, and 3) an understanding of the mechanisms that link overactivity to release of damaging stress-hormones in the young adult brain. Together these advances will directly inform the development of behavioural and cognitive strategies and techniques which can be recommended to carriers of e4. This we propose would mitigate the effects of brain overactivation and thereby enhance the prospects for healthy cognitive ageing in older adulthood. As such, this work relates directly to the current priority "Ageing research: lifelong health and wellbeing" and to Strategic priority 3 in the Strategic plan, to "Generate new knowledge of the biological mechanisms of ageing" and deliver "fundamental bioscience for better health and improved quality of life across the lifecourse, reducing the need for medical and social intervention".
Technical Summary
The e4 variant of apolipoprotein E (APOE-e4) has attracted attention as the single most important known genetic risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease. It is also associated with steeper age-related decline in cognitively intact older adults. Paradoxically, experiments in my laboratory and others have established that young adult carriers of APOE e4 significantly out perform non-carriers on tasks placing demands on sustained attention, achieving this through a distinct pattern of overrecruitment of brain regions in response to cognitive challenge. We suggest that this early life overactivation has two consequences: 1. it places unusual metabolic stress on key brain regions, 2. it exhausts the capacity for compensatory activations normally recruited as part of healthy aging. Building on this work, and using a unique combination of behavioural, brain imaging, neuropharmacology and pupilometry techniques, this proposal will establish whether e4 overactivation is limited to particular modes of processing, whether it is related to the amount of effort engaged by the task, and whether the overactivity can be 'switched off' under defined conditions. In addition, we will test the relationship between brain overactivity and the release of cortisol, thereby linking the brain activity directly to a potential mechanism through which long-term brain changes occur. Research outcomes will be: 1) an improved understanding of the early life consequences of carrying the e4 variant of APOE, 2) the identification of factors that modulate brain overactivations of in e4 carriers, and 3) an understanding of the mechanisms that link chronic overactivity to metabolic stress, as indexed by cortisol release. Together these advances will directly inform the development of behavioural and cognitive strategies and techniques which can be recommended to young carriers of e4 in order to mitigate the effects of brain overactivation and enhance the prospects for healthy cognitive ageing.
Planned Impact
This proposal will add significantly to the BBSRC's portfolio of research in the key priority area of Ageing Research: Lifelong health and wellbeing. The cognitive difficulties that arise with aging pose a challenge for care systems and societies worldwide. However, levels of age-related cognitive decline vary considerably between individuals, suggesting that such declines can be ameliorated by a thorough understanding of the genetic factors that affect cognition across the lifespan. The ApoE gene has a proven link to age-related cognitive decline, and our current BBSRC funded work has identified specific neural mechanisms which could underlie these declines. The experiments outlined here will extend the current work and assess the significance and potential modifiability of these mechanisms, which could lead to the development of cognitive or pharmaceutical interventions to normalise neural activity in at-risk individuals. In the long term it will therefore enhance quality of life, health and well-being.
The research findings themselves will be beneficial to individuals and organisations in academic, public, private and voluntary sectors. The outcome of these studies will be of interest to academic and clinical audiences in psychology and psychiatry. The findings will have significant implications for models of cognitive resilience in relation to aging, in particular, how genotypic influences on cognitive aging might be driven by effects present in young adulthood.
From a societal perspective understanding factors that mediate cognitive abilities across the lifespan could influence life choice decisions that impact on health and wellbeing. This work has direct relevance to the development of strategies to strengthen resilience to age-related decline across the lifespan, promoting successful cognitive ageing and greater quality of later life. It should therefore be of interest to local and national government and agencies concerned to promote wellbeing and to encourage new ways to remediate changes in cognitive abilities that naturally emerge over the lifespan.
As well as building capacity through engaging young researchers, Simon Evans (the Postdoctoral Researcher Co-investigator), will benefit from training in new techniques including pupillometry and neuropharmacology, as well as access to training in both research-specific and generic skills at Sussex. He would remain a member of the University of Sussex Doctoral School, which supports postdocs across the University, and a member of the thriving Biological and Clinical Neuroscience research group in the School of Psychology.
The University Press and Communications Office supports the communication of findings to the general public, providing support both in writing of press releases and advice on talking to journalists. They publish research findings in the Internal University Bulletin and send press releases to the media. These releases will encourage broader engagement with the work beyond the anticipated publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and international and national conferences.
The research findings themselves will be beneficial to individuals and organisations in academic, public, private and voluntary sectors. The outcome of these studies will be of interest to academic and clinical audiences in psychology and psychiatry. The findings will have significant implications for models of cognitive resilience in relation to aging, in particular, how genotypic influences on cognitive aging might be driven by effects present in young adulthood.
From a societal perspective understanding factors that mediate cognitive abilities across the lifespan could influence life choice decisions that impact on health and wellbeing. This work has direct relevance to the development of strategies to strengthen resilience to age-related decline across the lifespan, promoting successful cognitive ageing and greater quality of later life. It should therefore be of interest to local and national government and agencies concerned to promote wellbeing and to encourage new ways to remediate changes in cognitive abilities that naturally emerge over the lifespan.
As well as building capacity through engaging young researchers, Simon Evans (the Postdoctoral Researcher Co-investigator), will benefit from training in new techniques including pupillometry and neuropharmacology, as well as access to training in both research-specific and generic skills at Sussex. He would remain a member of the University of Sussex Doctoral School, which supports postdocs across the University, and a member of the thriving Biological and Clinical Neuroscience research group in the School of Psychology.
The University Press and Communications Office supports the communication of findings to the general public, providing support both in writing of press releases and advice on talking to journalists. They publish research findings in the Internal University Bulletin and send press releases to the media. These releases will encourage broader engagement with the work beyond the anticipated publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and international and national conferences.
Publications

Evans S
(2018)
Using event-related fMRI to examine sustained attention processes and effects of APOE e4 in young adults.
in PloS one

Evans S
(2017)
Disrupted neural activity patterns to novelty and effort in young adult APOE-e4 carriers performing a subsequent memory task.
in Brain and behavior

Evans SL
(2020)
Mid age APOE e4 carriers show memory-related functional differences and disrupted structure-function relationships in hippocampal regions.
in Scientific reports

Rusted J
(2015)
Are the Effects of APOE ?4 on Cognitive Function in Nonclinical Populations Age- and Gender-Dependent?
in Neurodegenerative Disease Management
Description | We aimed to characterise the effects on young adults' cognitive performance and brain activation of carrying the e4 allele (a risk factor for poorer cognitive ageing in later life). We have identified that the cognitive impact is complex and varies according to the task under examination. We have identified robust differences in neural activation patterns, indicating that there are early changes in brain activation and brain recruitment that likely index vulnerability in older adulthood. Specific findings: We developed imaging protocols for two tasks that specifically engage attentional resources and measure automatic deployment strategies to assess how e4+ dynamically deploy neural resources in response to task demands. We found that e4s did not display differential responsivity in situations engaging attentional resources automatically; we found they did demonstrate differences in neural activation patterns but that these did not equate to, or correlate with, performance differences. This suggests that parietal over-recruitment in e4+ is not task-specific. We found that hippocampal overactivity is present in e4+, but seems to depend critically on the task phase: e4+ recruit the hippocampus more dynamically, and this can manifest as both under- and over-activation according to task phase. This extends previous findings of overactivity and, importantly, could serve to explain the significant inconsistencies in the APOE/memory literature. We also found that e4+ did not show the normal links between pupillometry and task performance, suggesting a breakdown in the relationship between allocation of attentional resources and subsequent memory. This intriguing finding paves the way for further research. We have presented our data at national and international conferences. We have engaged with public and professional audiences to maximize impact, and ensure wide dissemination of our work to the general public, clinicians, and academics. The BBSRC grant and the APOE work going on here at Sussex played a key role in development of and successfully securing funding for the Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training School here at Sussex, co-directed by Profs Rusted and Serpell. It has inspired additional grant applications from members of Sussex Neuroscience Network, has supported multiple Junior Research, Undergraduate and Masters projects over the past 3 years, and the postdoctoral fellow (Evans) has secured a permanent lectureship position at Surrey University. In short, we have completed or exceeded the impact objectives and the capacity building targets set out in the Impact statements submitted with the original application. |
Exploitation Route | This work will have implications for personalised approaches to successful ageing and cognitive health. |
Sectors | Education Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology Other |
URL | http://www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/research/researchprojects/jennyrusted |
Description | We have presented this work in various public fora where the findings have generated significant interest, educating and informing public groups, charities and clinical practitioners. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Education,Healthcare |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Dr Simon Evans: Member of the Sussex University 'Excellence with Impact' Team |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Jennifer Rusted: Alzheimers Society Special Advisor |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Impact | Editing and advising on Alz Society fact sheets for the general public, carers and people with memory problems. published online at the AS website |
Description | Alzheimer Society Junior Fellowship to Claire Lancaster |
Amount | £225,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Alzheimer's Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2020 |
End | 06/2023 |
Description | Alzheimers Society Doctoral Training School |
Amount | £281,260 (GBP) |
Organisation | Alzheimer's Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | ESRC-CASE award with Sussex Partnership trust |
Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Santander mobility grant |
Amount | £2,750 (GBP) |
Organisation | Santander Universities |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2016 |
Description | Sussex-Sao Paolo |
Organisation | Federal University of São Paulo |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We were awarded a Santander mobility grant in early 2015 to develop this collaboration. We are contributing cognitive tasks and expertise in data analysis techniques to various ongoing projects at UNIFESP. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners are engaged in data collection involving several interesting populations with a range of socio-economic backgrounds. |
Impact | Application for further mobility funding to support this collaboration |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | APOE Scientific workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Meeting co-organised by Rusted to engage with academics working on APOE in an interdisciplinary forum |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | ARUK South Network |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Engagement with the network has led to better support for young researchers and students attached to our project work, better opportunities for networking with colleagues working at other universities, and with pharmaceutical companies. I attended the Oxford ARUK meeting in 2014, and Dr Evans attended the Southampton Seminar series; after this meeting, we have developed collaborative ideas with Dr Rozanne Carare, amongst others. We are planning a half-day workshop at Sussex this year. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Alzheimers Society Specialist Reviewer |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Contributed to the production of on-line fact sheets Continued engagement with the Society and discussions regarding improvements to web information |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014 |
URL | http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=100 |
Description | Big Bang Science Fair 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr Sarah King (Co-I) was a judge at the Big Bang Science fair 2015. Dr King promoted the project as part of her role in this fair. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/ |
Description | Brighton Science Fair 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | As part of the Brighton Science Fair, we presented a stall during the Bright Sparks event 14 & 15 Feb. The aim was to share information about the BBSRC-funded project as well as basic neuroscience principles an dtechniques. Interactive exhibits were used, including an eyetracker and one of the cognitive tasks used in the project. The stall was very well attended, feedback was excellent, and attendees were very interested in the research: those running the stall (which included the project team, phd and masters' students) answered many questions from attendees. Feedback was excellent and we have been invited to take part again next year. Some attendees have subsequently volunteered to take part in our research as a result of this activity. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.brightonscience.com/bright-sparks-weekend/ |
Description | Engagement with University of Sussex Widening Participation team |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Within the First-Generation Scholars scheme, we have engaged to offer a module within the programme of campus events. The events have proved popular and the aim is to provide experience of University to those who might not otherwise apply. The widening participation team are keen for us to contribute to open days, and we are developing a module that includes the BBSRC work |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |
Description | Oral presentation at SINDEM conference in Italy, Jan 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk generated significant interest and discussion. Talk provoked some important suggestions regarding interpretation and methodological considerations. Contacts made with other researchers across the EU. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Oral presentation at SINDEM conference in Italy, Jan 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Presentation of project outline and preliminary findings provoked a useful and lively discussion, ideas from which will inform choice of data analysis techniques, publication strategy and future directions. Consolidated contacts with European-wide early career researchers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.sindem.it/ |
Description | Presentation at Cafe Scientifique |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr Naji Tabet (Co-I) presented background to the project to a lay audience as part of Cafe Scientifique (informal evening talks for people interested in current scientific issues). The presentation provoked a lively debate and many questions were put to Dr Tabet. Some of those attending expressed an interest in participating in our research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.meetup.com/Brighton-Cafe-Scientifique/ |
Description | Presentation of research to local Clinicians and service providers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | NIHR CRN Kent, Surrey and Sussex: Ageing Speciality Research Group Meeting - Monday 7th December Local clinicians and service providers attended - opportunities for networking and for extended discussion of the posters |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Presentation to Brighton and Sussex Universities Medical School Neuroscience Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Clinicians, psychogeriatricians, nursing staff and occupational therapists were informed about our work and more broadly about research developments in this field A clinician visited me to discuss a collaborative project developing out from our current work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Presented work associated with this grant at ARUK South Coast Networking event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Networking event with general public / Alzheimer's carers etc organised by the ARUK South coast network. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Research showcase |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Set up the research showcase website to publicise the new award Have been invited by the outreach team at Sussex to get involved in the open day and residential visits aimed at encouraging first generation scholars |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/showcase/researchprojects/jennyrusted |
Description | Southampton University Institute for Life Sciences: Poster session on Alzheimer's disease |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Presented poster describing previous data and motivation/plans for current project to a multidisciplinary audience that included postgrads and faculty from across Hampshire/Sussex. Stimulated discussion and ideas for future projects and collaborations. Sharing of ideas between researchers across institutions and across different fields of study. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Sussex Neuroscience PhD studentships |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Participation in the new four year Sussex Neuroscience PhD studentships: encouraging and supporting new young researchers in the field Recruitment of PhD students. In Autumn 2015, we hosted a 1st year PhD student on lab rotation, who learned imaging and behavioural analysis techniques in the context of the BBSRC-funded project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sussexneuroscience/study/4yearphd/supervisors |
Description | Symposium at ESCOP 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Symposium at ESCOP (European Society for Cognitive Psychology) organised by Prof Rusted entitled "Current methods and advances in prospective memory research". This included a talk by Prof Rusted describing recent findings from our APOE work. Ideas generated for future directions/collaboarations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Symposium organised at Festival of Neuroscience (BNA Biannual conference): The APOE paradox - Pathways to Alzheimer's Disease |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Event bringing to the forefront the current position of APOE in relation to Alzheimer's Disease. Translational presentations from biological studies through to clinical and human work. Discussion afterwards sparked interest of industry and now pursuing collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.bna.org.uk/media/resources/files/S23_The_APOE_paradox_-_Pathway_to_Alzheimers_disease_yO... |
Description | Talk at Lewes Priory school |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr Nick Dowell (Co-I) presented a talk to a local secondary school, about research and neuroscience as a career, giving some detail about the BBSRC-funded project. Talk generated questions and discussion with pupils. Feedback from teachers was excellent, the presentation was described as 'very useful'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | keynote lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Keynote lecture at the International Alzheimer's Disease Conference 2016, 17-18 June 2016 Organized by Alzheimer's Disease Research Network, SRT Ageing, & Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, The University of Hong Kong Co-organized with Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Social Sciences, Sau Po Centre on Ageing & SRT Science of Learning, The University of Hong Kong, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shenzhen University (College of Life Sciences), Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation, & The Hong Kong Society of Aging Research: significant interst from a wide range of academics and practitioners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |