Research
Studying brain connections to learn more about dementia
Johanna Jackson, at Imperial College London, is analysing the small connections between our brain cells to unlock big insights about dementia.
Johanna Jackson studied several conditions, including epilepsy and brain injury, before focusing on Alzheimer’s disease.
The constant throughout her career is an interest in synapses – the small connections that allow our brain cells to communicate.
For Johanna, developing new drugs based on a better understanding of synapses is the exciting ‘new battlefield of Alzheimer’s’.
Brain changes
Johanna was the first recipient of our Carol Jennings Fellowship. Her team is part of the UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at Imperial College London.

She’s using her funding to understand how and why synaptic changes happen in Alzheimer’s.
I want to determine which types of synapses are affected as the disease progresses.
‘I also hope to identify which components of synapses could be targeted with new therapies, alongside the disease-modifying therapies that have recently been developed, including lecanemab and donanemab.’
Another part of Johanna’s work is to study the effect of drugs currently used to treat other conditions.
‘If we can determine how the synapses are affected by the drugs in these cases, we can see whether the effects can be repurposed in Alzheimer’s.’
Dementia collaborations
Johanna works with a group of five researchers, mostly PhD students.
‘I often meet with them to help them or make sure the research is moving in the right direction,’ she says. ‘The best days are when they show me a new piece of data!’
Johanna stresses that collaborative working is vital.
‘My group works closely with other researchers in the UK and overseas on the different aspects of dementia, particularly those also looking at synapses from a different perspective.
We work with industry and academia so that we can gain a greater understanding but also work towards new treatments.
Johanna’s personal connection to dementia keeps her motivated.
‘Seeing the impact of my uncle’s dementia on my aunt, his full-time carer, was incredibly difficult.
‘I also see the impact of dementia on wider society, which really highlights the need for better understanding and treatments.’
Sense of hope
Johanna describes the Society’s funding and support as being ‘instrumental’ to her work.
She’s particularly grateful to volunteers from our Research Network, who always bring a focus on what impact dementia research will have on people’s lives.
We are at a pivotal moment in Alzheimer’s research.
‘With positive results from recent trials, the prospect of finding a therapy that will alter disease progression and slow decline is closer to becoming a reality.’
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