Originally developed to deliver high quality portfolio clinical trials in dementia, the unit has recruited over 1,600 patients for clinical drug trials and observational studies in dementia, and has expanded to successfully run mental health and community research. Alzheimer’s studies are investigating how to identify the disease at the earliest stage, change its course with new drugs and find new treatments and therapies to improve care for patients.
Dr Gloria Calderon, Windsor Research Unit Manager said: “This month, it’s a great pleasure to host Alessandro Carbocci, a clinical psychology graduate from Bologna, in our first ever international learning placement. Since September last year, we have also been working with Dr Nikitas Arnaoutoglou, a clinical research specialist from Greece, who is investigating new treatments in a dementia clinical trial and running memory assessments. We work with international partners for many of our studies and hope to develop further research collaborations with the unit.”
Dr Ben Underwood, CPFT’s Clinical Director for the Windsor Research Unit said: “I’m delighted to welcome Alessandro to the team, and thank Nikitas for his work with the unit over the last year. Attracting specialist health talent is key to the unit’s success, and the Trust provides exciting opportunities to deliver translational medicine, testing new therapies and treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease with our patients and enhancing their care. Thank you to everyone who volunteers for Alzheimer’s Disease research - the more people take part, the quicker we can identify and treat people who are in the early stages of disease, improve health outcomes and help people live well with it. The patients and carers we work with tell us they enjoy the visits and find the experience really rewarding, with ongoing support and health advice from our research nurses.”
Alessandro Carbocci (pictured left) said: “I chose a six month placement with the Windsor Research Unit to learn more about integrating research with care and develop clinical skills. It’s exciting to work with health professionals who also lead cutting-edge psychological research at the Trust and learn from one of the world’s best health systems.”
Dr Nikitas Arnaoutoglou (right) said: “CPFT is part of a major global centre for pioneering research into dementia and clinical trials, advancing early recognition of memory impairments. I joined to develop my research skills further and work on novel screening tests to identify dementias, gaining excellent experience working with Dr Ben Underwood and Professor John O’Brien at the Trust to run clinical trials in dementia.”
CPFT is the top performing mental health trust for NHS research in the east of England and one of the top five mental health trusts for research across England, with an impressive track record in conducting research to time and target for world-leading institutions.
To participate in Alzheimer’s Disease research at CPFT and find out more, contact the Windsor Research Unit on 01223 219534 or email [email protected].
Health and care professionals can also help people living with dementia and their carers to find opportunities to take part in research. Join Dementia Research is a UK-wide service helping people with dementia and their carers to register their interest, which matches volunteers with the most appropriate studies, without any obligation to take part. Current research studies range from clinical trials of new treatments to surveys identifying what works in improving the quality of life of people with dementia and their carers. Find out more and register today: https://www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/
About Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) is a health and social care organisation, providing integrated community, mental health and learning disability services, across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and children’s community services in Peterborough.
We support around 100,000 people each year and employ more than 3,700 staff. Our largest bases are at the Cavell Centre, Peterborough, and Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, but our staff are based in over 90 locations. We are a University of Cambridge Teaching Trust and member of Cambridge University Health Partners, working together with the University of Cambridge Clinical School. Together with global, national and local partners we conduct high-quality and ground-breaking research into mental and physical health and support innovation to improve patient care.