Our Early Pioneers
The University began its research into ageing with pioneering studies on dementia carried out in the late 1960s.
In the 1970s there was a series of high profile appointments resulting in a world-leading team built at Newcastle under the leadership of Professor of Neuroendocrinology, Jim Edwardson.
Among these recruits were Professors Robert and Elaine Perry. They made the very important discovery that in Alzheimer’s Disease one of the key changes is the early and profound loss of a chemical messenger substance in the brain called acetylcholine. This discovery is still the basis of the most effective symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's.
Institute for Ageing and Health (IAH)
By the mid-90s like-minded medical scientists helped to elevate the once 'Cinderella' branch of their profession into a major force.
The IAH was created and builds on the past achievements of giants of medical research at the University:
- Professor Sir Martin Roth, a pioneer of old age psychiatry
- Professor Sir Bernard Tomlinson, the distinguished neuropathologist
- psychiatric specialists like Dr Garry Blessed and Dr David Kay
The Institute grew over the subsequent decade and now forms the heart of Europe's largest multidisciplinary site into ageing – the Newcastle Campus for Ageing and Vitality.
In 2009 Newcastle's work in the field of ageing gained national recognition with the awarding of the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education.
Read more about our ageing story.
Interviews with our experts:
Oliver James, Retired Professor of Hepatology
Professor Tom Kirkwood, Associate Dean for Ageing
"Ageing is the biggest challenge as we progress further into the 21st century."
