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Staff Profile

Dr Laura Wright

Lecturer and Research Associate

  • Email: laura.wright@ncl.ac.uk
  • Address: School of Psychology
    Dame Margaret Barbour Building
    Wallace Street
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE2 4DR
Background

Current Role

I'm currently based in the School of Psychology and split my time between two roles. In the School of Psychology I am currently acting as module lead, covering maternity leave, for PSY1004 Cognitive Psychology. Within the Translational and Clinical Research Institute I work as a research associate on a project funded by the Medical Research Council aiming to develop tools for the early identification cognitive decline in diverse Tanzanian populations.


Areas of Expertise

  • Neuroimaging
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Neuropsychology
  • Memory and Cognition
  • Dementia


Qualifications

  • PhD, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, 2021
  • MSc (Res), Cognitive Neuroscience and Human Neuroimaging, University of Sheffield, 2017 (Distinction)
  • BSc, Psychology, University of Sheffield, 2016 (First Class Honours)


Memberships

  • British Neuropsychological Society (BNS)
  • British Neuroscience Association (BNA)
  • Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) North Network
  • Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases (DemaNDs) Research Group
Research

I am a psychologist with a background in cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology and neuroimaging. My previous research has focussed on cognitive and neuroimaging markers for prodromal and preclinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease as well as the cognitive and neural correlates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in prodromal Lewy body dementia. I have a particular interest in neuropsychological indicators of neurodegenerative disease and the development of clinical tools for early, differential diagnosis as well as the mechanisms of neuropsychiatric symptoms related to dementia. Through a combination of cognitive, neuropsychiatric and neuroimaging approaches I hope to establish reliable diagnostic markers for the earliest stages of neurodegeneration.


In my previous role I acted as lead researcher on a project focussing on neuropsychiatric symptoms in Lewy body disease, their relationship with underlying neuropathology and declines in cognitive function over time. Currently, I am working on a project to adapt and develop tools for the early identification of cognitive decline related to Alzheimer's disease in Sub-Saharan Africa.


I am passionate about research that may contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric changes in neurodegenerative disease. It is my hope that my research will contribute to the development of earlier, more accurate diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative dementias, the identification of appropriate treatment targets for some of the more distressing symptoms of these conditions, and ultimately improve the quality of life for both carers and people living with dementia.

Teaching

Acting module lead for PSY1004 - Cognitive Psychology.

Publications