Biomarkers, therapeutics and prevention projects

These are some of the projects our researchers are working on that fall within the theme of biomarkers, therapeutics and prevention.

Integrating biomarkers to understand dementia risk

Using data available from large population cohorts it is possible to ask how different biomarkers, from different biological systems, predict (a) risk of later life dementia, (b) transition to dementia and (c) disease trajectory. We are particularly interested in whether dementia stratification can be enhanced by combining information from genes, cognitive domains, brain metrics and inflammatory markers implicated in dementia.

Stem cell differentiation, safety and preparation for transplantation in Huntington's disease

This project (known as Repair-HD) brings together academic research teams based in the United Kingdom, France and Italy, and two small to medium size enterprises in the United Kingdom and Germany. The Consortium aims to establish all the components necessary for future high quality clinical studies of pluripotent stem cell transplantation in man.

Exercise and rehabilitation trial in Huntington’s disease (Exert-HD and ENGAGE-HD)

Exert-HD is a multi-site trial aiming to evaluate the feasibility and benefit of an intensive, structured exercise intervention in people with early to mid-stage Huntington's disease (HD). It involves research groups from Cardiff, Birmingham, Oxford, Leiden, Muenster and Oslo Universities. Cardiff University is also involved in ENGAGE-HD, a feasibility trial of a physical activity intervention for Huntington’s disease. Here, the potential benefits of physical exercise – such as mobility and physical performance – are compared with a social contact control intervention.

Researchers at the University are also studying short-term effects of a single bout of physical exercise on cerebral vasculature and metabolism, and whether participants with Huntington’s disease respond to exercise in the same manner or to the same magnitude as control participants.

Neurofeedback

We are currently evaluating novel real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback interventions in Parkinson’s disease. Rt-fMRI uses feedback of the patient’s own brain activity to self-regulate brain networks which in turn may positively change behaviour and clinical symptoms. The next phase of this work will study the capacity of neurofeedback to target different areas of the motor circuit. Through the BRAINTRAIN consortium, led by Cardiff University, it is our intention to extend this approach to cognitive remediation in dementias more generally.

Automated assessment of timing and movement signatures in Huntington’s disease

This project is using signal processing and pattern recognition methods to deliver an application that automates measures which quantify upper limb function in Huntington’s disease (HD). The Moneybox test is a standardised assessment of bilateral, upper motor function. As it is independent of both language and culture barriers, sensitive to stage of disease and highly correlated to quality of life, it is an attractive outcome measure for clinical trials globally.

Attentional cognitive training as a therapeutic intervention for people with HD

In a mouse model of HD, cognitive training focused on attention resulted in improved motor performance. Given these findings, we are currently exploring attentional function training in people with Huntington’s disease.