Research

Analysing fats in the brain during the early stages of dementia

Hugo Fernandes has always been intrigued by the complexity of the human brain. 

It’s what first motivated him to study biology as a young undergraduate in his home country of Portugal. And it’s what now fuels his work researching dementia at the University of Oxford. 

I'm surprised by how little we know on how and why the brain starts failing in dementia.

What happens in the brain cells 

With a career that’s taken him to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Birmingham and Cambridge, Hugo studied for his PhD in neurodegeneration at Oxford. 

With our support as a Dementia Research Leader Fellow, that’s where Hugo set up his own research group in 2023. He’s excited about what it can achieve. 

‘We are trying to understand the role of fats in the brain.’ 

Are fats important for the function of the cells in our brains? And are fats involved in the mechanisms that cause dementia? If they are important, can we use them? 

Hugo hopes his group’s research will unlock a better understanding of what happens in the initial stages of dementia. 

‘Exploring what goes wrong in the brain cells of people affected by dementia will lead to a better understanding about how the disease starts and progresses. 

‘And I hope with this knowledge, we can provide new targets for future treatments.’ 

Dementia research is collaborative

Every day in dementia research is different for Hugo. 

‘I could be busy in the lab growing and feeding cells and analysing them. Or I could be mostly in front of a computer, analysing data and preparing presentations.’ 

But the highlight is the experience of sharing insights with colleagues. 

‘I always look forward to discussing new data and findings with students and colleagues. 

Scientific research is always a team effort, directly or indirectly. 

‘I collaborate with several other groups across multiple institutions within the UK and abroad. We share materials, resources and expertise.’ 

Inspired by Alzheimer's Society supporters

Our supporters are front and centre in Hugo and his team’s minds as they carry out their trailblazing research. 

To all Alzheimer’s Society supporters, a big thank you! 

‘Not just for the tremendous effort in raising funds that support vital research and will lead to scientific breakthroughs, but also for all the direct support you provide to patients, families and carers. 

‘To those affected by dementia, I have a message of support: your stories are an inspiration and a daily reminder of why we do what we do.’