Dr. Calum Marr works at the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast, studying age-related cognitive decline within the NICOLA longitudinal study. Here he tells us more about his research and what motivates him.
What is your area of research?
My research aims to understand the modifiable factors that might protect against dementia and cognitive decline. During my PhD I worked on an intervention study that examined the benefits of community-based activity engagement (e.g., language classes, computer classes or exercise classes) for cognitive health in older adults. I now work on the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA) study. We have recently collected detailed cognitive data from a representative sub-sample of over-65s in Northern Ireland. We plan to use this data to examine potential risk factors for dementia including modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet or social engagement. I also have an interest in socioeconomic inequities in dementia risk, and understanding why individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may be more likely to get dementia.
What made you interested in this area?
While there have been some advancements in the development of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in recent years, there is still little access to disease-modifying treatment for people with dementia. This means that risk reduction remains an incredibly important goal in reducing the impact of dementia on individuals and wider society. I am particularly interested in modifiable lifestyle risk factors because I believe that lifestyle interventions can have benefits beyond just lowering dementia risk, such as increased social support and wellbeing.
What impact would you like your research to have?
I hope that identifying modifiable risk factors for dementia will lead to the development of effective public health interventions to help people maintain their cognitive health for longer, and thus continue to live happy and healthy lives.
Who has helped or inspired you in your area of research?
Data collection for me involves conducting cognitive assessments with older adults. Over the past few years I have met hundreds of study participant from all kinds of different backgrounds, who all share similar worries about their memory as they get older. Seeing how important memory and thinking is to people inspires my research into learning more about how to protect brain health.
What current research are you most excited about (your own, or that of others)?
I am excited by the research going in the FINGERS network, a global network of studies conducting multidomain lifestyle RCTs aimed at preventing cognitive decline.
What do you do when you are not working?
In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking and going to the cinema. I am a keen runner, and also like to get out for a cycle when the weather is nice.
What is your favourite pastime?
I am a (very) amateur photographer, which has given me a good excuse to get out and explore the most scenic spots in Ireland!
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
My favourite piece of advice is to always ask questions, even if they feel stupid – if you are thinking it, someone else probably is as well.
Contact Details
Email: c.marr@qub.ac.uk
Twitter: @calummarr