Centre for Preventive Neurology

Centre Lead: Ruth Dobson

Centre Manager: Helen Sonderegger-Coxon

Centre Administrator: Olivia Downey

Executive Assistant to Centre Leads: Olu Osoba

The Centre for Preventive Neurology, CPN, brings together an expert team to carry out revolutionary new research into dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s Disease. Their work includes investigating causal pathways, genetic and environmental factors; creation of novel clinical cohorts and development of new tests; and exploring whether simple interventions can prevent or delay the onset of these disorders.

The Preventive Neurology Unit, PNU, the predecessor of the CPN, was formed in 2017 following investment from Barts Charity and has grown rapidly within the Wolfson Institute of Population Health. Curtesy of the rapid growth in staff and grant funding, the PNU was transformed into its own Centre in 2023. Substantial funding has been awarded from the NIHR, MRC, UK MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, NMSS, Cure Parkinson’s, BMA Foundation and the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Initiative. Established collaborations include GP2, PPMI, IPDGC, 23andMe UCL, and Imperial College.

Main disease areas of interest are dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. Areas of study include traditional epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, clinical cohort creation, under-represented populations, real world and health records data, patient and public involvement, and imaging and laboratory biomarkers.

Academics:

Prof. Ruth Dobson – Centre Lead

Prof. Alastair Noyce – Deputy Centre Lead

Prof. Charles Marshall

Our Team: