Dr Rachael Matthews, a Clinical Research Fellow in the Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, has been awarded a prestigious Alzheimer’s Research UK Doctoral Clinical Fellowship to investigate how infections can trigger long‑term cognitive decline.
Her project will build on an established cohort of 800 people previously infected with COVID‑19, combining cognitive assessments, advanced brain imaging, blood‑based biomarkers and genetic risk profiling to understand who is most vulnerable to developing memory problems and dementia.
Delirium is a common complication of infection in older adults, but clinicians currently lack reliable tools to identify which patients are at greatest risk of future decline. Rachael’s research aims to develop an early‑stage predictive tool that could help transform how vulnerable patients are identified.
Dr Matthews added: “I am incredibly grateful to receive this fellowship from Alzheimer’s Research UK. Delirium is often seen as a temporary complication of infection, but we increasingly recognise it may signal underlying brain vulnerability. This research will help us understand who is most at risk of long-term cognitive decline, with the ultimate goal of identifying vulnerable patients earlier and improving brain health in the future.”
The study has been shaped in partnership with a dedicated patient and public involvement panel, who will continue to support dissemination and co‑production of findings.