Stroke and Dementia

Stroke and Dementia Research Centre

Head of Centre: Prof Hugh Markus

hmarkus@sgul.ac.uk

The Stroke and Dementia Research Centre at St George’s is known globally for translational and clinical research in both stroke and dementia.

Research is focused on the following themes:

Stroke

Dementia

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Particular strengths of the Centre include:

• applying molecular genetic and imaging techniques (ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI) to understand what causes stroke;
• using MRI to discover what causes cognitive impairment in patients with both dementia and stroke;
• a programme of research in cerebral small vessel disease;
• clinical trials investigating new treatment approaches.

The Centre is closely associated with the clinical stroke and dementia services housed within the Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, located within St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust. The Centre also hosts the South East England Local Stroke Research Network.

MRI is a key component of many research programmes both within the Centre and in collaboration with other groups at St George’s. Work is carried out on 3T system and a small bore MR system, and the Centre has expertise in image analysis and MR physics.

The Centre has an excellent track record in obtaining funding, with over £5 million as the Principal Investigator and over £25 million on collaborative grants in the last five years. Key funders include The Wellcome Trust, The Stroke Association, the Medical Research Council, the British Heart Foundation, and the European Union.