Dementia Support Line
PhD Student Haochen (Leo) Su
Meet Haochen (Leo) Su. Supervised by Dr Liqun Zhang at City St. George’s University of London, Leo’s project is investigating the link between inflammation and post-stroke cognitive decline.
Leo's project is looking at:
Linking signs of inflammation and cognitive decline after a stroke
Stroke is one of the biggest risk factors for vascular dementia. Type 2 diabetes can further increase this risk as it causes constant mild inflammation, which can persist for years, eventually causing the brain damage seen in dementia.
Our research may contribute to the identification of patients at higher risk of developing cognitive impairments and uncover the optimal timeframe for the administration of anti-inflammation treatments.
Tell us about your project
This project aims to better understand how inflammation changes over time in people who have had a stroke, in those with and without type 2 diabetes.
We will measure markers of inflammation in the blood and compare them with brain scans. This will help us identify which inflammation markers may be linked to problems with memory and thinking after a stroke.
This will help us to better understand when administering anti-inflammation treatments would have the greatest impact and which patients are most at risk of developing vascular dementia.
How will this research impact people living with dementia?
In the long term, I aim to define the exact role of inflammation in post-stroke dementia to support the development of more targeted, time-sensitive interventions. I hope that my research contributes to a future where we can improve patient outcomes through personalized care, ensuring that medical treatments are both specifically designed and precisely timed.
What does it mean to you to be a part of Alzheimer's Society Doctoral Training Centre?
To me, being part of this Doctoral Training Centre means joining a community empowered by a shared mission. This collaboration between four prestigious institutes ensures that our individual projects contribute to a larger, collective effort.
It provides a unique, supportive environment where I can progress alongside fellow students while learning from a multidisciplinary team of experts.
Meet our PhD students
Our Doctoral Training Centre will train 29 passionate PhD students over 8 years. Find out more about their cutting-edge research and how they’re working to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.