Protecting minds
“We have invested in critical resources and people to answer some of the toughest challenges in dementia.”
It is raining steadily outside when Professor Anne Corbett arrives for filming at the Research, Innovation, Learning and Development building – the centre of the University of Exeter’s health education and research. Inside, studio lights are being adjusted and researchers move efficiently around a working laboratory where experiments cannot be paused for the cameras.
This is the first day of filming for Exeter’s new dementia research campaign. “We’re at a genuinely exciting point,” Anne says, during a pause between takes. “Exeter can boast some of the world’s leading dementia researchers. We have invested in critical resources and people to answer some of the toughest challenges in dementia. For the first time, we have real momentum – better tools, better data, and a clearer understanding of how dementia risk can be reduced. Earlier detection is becoming possible, prevention is no longer theoretical, and thousands of people are already contributing to that progress from their own homes.”
Anne, who leads Exeter’s PROTECT study (Platform for Research Online to Investigate Genetics and Cognition in Ageing), has been asked to front the campaign not simply because of her expertise, but because her work sits at the point where research, prevention and real-world impact now meet.
PROTECT began more than a decade ago with a simple concept: participants complete highly sensitive cognitive tests each year, share information about their health and lifestyle, and provide a DNA sample by post. Everything can be done remotely at home, on a phone, tablet or computer.
What followed exceeded expectations. Today, more than 30,000 people in the UK are involved, contributing to one of the richest datasets on brain ageing in the world. “We never expected engagement on this scale or with this longevity,” Anne says. “People don’t just take part – they stay, year after year. They are invested in the research and are passionate to shape it.”
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The scale of PROTECT has unlocked discoveries that would once have been impossible. Its data has helped researchers understand how factors such as hearing loss, sleep, physical activity and lifelong learning influence dementia risk. Other studies have shown that even where genetic risk is higher, lifestyle factors such as smoking and inactivity can outweigh an unfavourable genetic profile.
Some of the findings are surprisingly tangible. A philanthropically funded Exeter trial exploring beetroot juice – rich in nitrates – has produced promising results, strengthening the case for prevention through simple, everyday lifestyle choices. PROTECT research has also highlighted the role of lifelong cognitive stimulation – such as brain training or learning a language or musical instrument – in supporting better health outcomes in later life.
A machine hums quietly in the background. It doesn’t look dramatic, but it can process dozens of biological samples at once – a task that would once have taken days by hand. “Technology has transformed what’s possible,” Anne explains. “When I did my PhD, we could only process a couple of samples at a time. Now we’re working at a completely different scale.”
Perhaps the most transformative work, though, lies ahead. Exeter is helping pioneer blood biomarkers that could detect dementia risk using a simple finger-prick test at home. Combined with computerised cognitive testing, early studies show that this at-home testing produces signals that align well with blood tests and brain scans that would usually be done in a clinic. Yet they are far cheaper and easier to do at scale.
“This is the most disruptive technology we’re working on,” Anne says. “It could genuinely change how we detect Alzheimer’s and other dementias – earlier, and more efficiently.”
That work feeds directly into Exeter’s REACTIVE app, a brain health monitoring programme designed to identify subtle, progressive cognitive decline, allowing people to be flagged and triaged far earlier than is currently possible. Participants showing faster-than-expected decline could be referred back to their GP, opening a pathway to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
“We know that most people with early cognitive impairment are sitting at home unsupported,” Anne says. “We simply can’t bring everyone into clinics. So we have to rethink the pathway, and that’s what REACTIVE is about.”
There is optimism in the lab that day, and a sense of shared purpose. Exeter’s approach to dementia research is unique, collaborative by nature, and spanning prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. “There’s never been a better time,” Anne says. “While big pharmaceutical companies are investing more in dementia drug development, Exeter is perfectly positioned to provide solutions to the complementary challenge of preventing and reducing the risk of dementia. This is where we can make the most difference.”
As filming wraps up, the conversation turns to participation. PROTECT depends on people. And while engagement has been remarkable, Anne is clear about what’s needed next. “We need our participants to reflect the diversity of the global population,” she says. “If we want research that works for everyone, we need everyone involved.”
That inclusive and hopeful invitation sits at the heart of Exeter’s work. Breakthroughs don’t happen overnight. Research advances because people show up, year after year, believing that we all have a part to play in creating a positive future for everyone.
Powered by philanthropy
Behind every research breakthrough is a brilliant mind that needs the opportunity to shine. At Exeter, philanthropic support plays a vital role in turning promising ideas into evidence – and in supporting the people who make that progress possible.
“Exeter’s research gives me hope that future generations will have better ways to detect dementia earlier.”
Tim Rault-Smith (Computer Science, 1990).
Powered by philanthropy
Behind every research breakthrough is a brilliant mind that needs the opportunity to shine. At Exeter, philanthropic support plays a vital role in turning promising ideas into evidence – and in supporting the people who make that progress possible.
Dr Joshua Harvey (PhD in Medical Studies, 2024) was supported by a scholarship at Exeter, where he conducted cutting-edge research into the intricate mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease. His work sits at the earliest stages of the research pipeline, helping to build the foundations for more personalised treatments in the future.
“My scholarship gave me the ability to live and work at the University, along with an opportunity to learn new techniques and strengthen my skills as a researcher,” Josh says. “I am hugely grateful.”
From molecular biology to nutraceutical trials, philanthropy enables researchers to explore bold questions – often at an early, high-risk stage – accelerating discoveries that now sit at the heart of Exeter’s dementia research.
That support is driven by people like Tim Rault-Smith (Computer Science, 1990), a donor to Exeter’s Dementia Research Fund, whose motivation is rooted in personal experience (pictured above).
“When my mother first showed signs of dementia, I realised how uncertain and overwhelming those early stages could be,” Tim says. “I wanted my donation to do something practical – to help people get answers sooner and improve the experience for families like mine. Exeter’s research gives me hope that future generations will have better ways to detect dementia earlier.”
Today, Tim’s generosity is helping to accelerate vital research into detection and diagnosis – strengthening the evidence that underpins new tools, technologies and pathways, and connecting the work of researchers like Josh with the families who stand to benefit from earlier insight and intervention.
