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Harriet Spoelstra is about to start her PhD at the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, funded by the Neurological Foundation and supervised by Dr Erin Cawston. She has joined the Dementia Prevention Research Clinics (DPRCs) research team, which has been analysing blood samples from people with memory problems, as well as healthy volunteers, to identify blood biomarkers that may indicate the development and progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. Harriet will work with the blood samples and associated clinical data from the DPRCs, contributing to the wider DPRC efforts to identify a biomarker signature that predicts development of dementia. In your next Headlines… We are excited to be launching a special four-part series on dementia in the next edition of Headlines. With so much happening in the dementia research space, the series will examine the new discoveries on the horizon, the people behind them, and the bigger picture when it comes to making sure new treatments reach the people who need them. Watch this space! Headlines 17 ZEALAND Lynn’s involvement in the study involved an initial phone discussion to ensure she met the criteria, followed by a review of her medical history and a clinical assessment by a medical expert. She then had blood work and an MRI, and completed questionnaires about her diet and sleeping habits. “A three-hour appointment was set up with a neuro psychologist to do comprehensive cognitive/memory testing. It was pretty exhausting, but very interesting at the same time,” Lynn says. “My partner also had to fill out a questionnaire about what he saw in my cognitive/memory functions over the last year, and if he saw a change in me. As he was filling out the questionnaire on me, he could recognise some subtle changes in his behaviour over the last 12 months, which started a conversation about him. His mother has early onset dementia.” Once all the information was gathered, Lynn sat down with a clinician to interpret the results. Lynn was placed in the control group with no early onset of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) found. “I know very little about my family history of anything medical. For me it is the forewarned aspect, I can’t necessarily change what is going to happen to me as I age, but I can at least have an awareness of the possibilities of what could happen. Then I can also educate my children and future generations on the potential risks.” “I have learnt a lot about research in the last few years, and how important it is to have all walks of people participate. If I can help in any way I am more than happy to do my bit. If a small amount of time out of my life can help the bigger picture then I am all for it. I am also discussing the research with my family and friends to help get more people involved.” Harriet Spoelstra “My PhD will look at levels of proteins in the blood that may indicate AD. I’m excited and extremely grateful to the Neurological Foundation for this funding, as it has such a real-world clinical application.” Lynn Kenyon