Brain Clues – From Strange Smells to Stunning Scans

Parkinson's Disease, the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease, affects ~10 million people globally. Current diagnosis occurs late, often after more than half of dopaminergic neurons have depleted, missing the critical prodromal stage before motor symptoms emerge. Joy Milne, who detects PD through scent, inspired research identifying sebum as the odour source. A clinical trial launched, aiming to replicate her olfactory ability by using mass spec to identify sebum PD biomarkers. Timely diagnosis could enable early intervention and transform PD care.

Ever wondered how we can really 'see' what’s happening inside the brain during dementia? With different imaging methods, we can explore the brain in incredible detail, uncovering changes from the gross anatomy level down to the tiny, intricate networks of blood vessels. Join me to discover how cutting-edge imaging technology is helping us understand the complexities of dementia in mice models of the disease.