Moonlighting proteins in Alzheimer’s disease: friend or foe?

Inaugural lecture: Professor Myra Conway

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive condition associated with the production and deposition of aggregates such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which lead to synaptic and neuronal damage, resulting in a depletion of brain cells and memory loss. A significant body of work supports the hypothesis that clearance of amyloid from the brain will improve cognition and delay AD progression. However, recent drug trials, particular to targeting amyloid, have been disappointing and although amyloid has been reduced, improved cognition was not observed.

In this talk, Professor Conway explored pathways upstream of aggregate accumulation and discussed how through an understanding of diet and how it can regulate brain function we may identify new therapeutic targets to delay AD onset. She also highlighted the importance of developing new diagnostics with respect to measuring drug efficacy. Finally, ‘The G8 summit sets ambitious 2025 target for dementia cure’, was an interesting way to end a discussion.

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Professor Myra Conway

Professor Myra Conway is a Professor of Biomedical Science at the University of Derby. On completion of her PhD at the University College of Galway (UCG), Ireland, she spent 5 years as a Research Fellow at Wake Forest Medical Centre, USA, before starting her career as a Lecturer in the UK. She is an internationally recognised scientist in the field of redox biochemistry and its role in chronic disease conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer, leading a talented team of early career scientists. She is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for BRACE, the ARUK (Alzheimer's Research UK) network and the Bristol Dementia Health Integrated team.