Episodios

  • Breakthrough in Gene Therapy: Dr Tom Massey on the Fight Against Huntington's

    Breakthrough in Gene Therapy: Dr Tom Massey on the Fight Against Huntington's
    Dec 2 2025
    In a remarkable conversation, clinical neurologist and researcher Dr Tom Massey takes us inside the world of Huntington's Disease (HD) research, sharing the latest breakthroughs that have brought the scientific community closer than ever to a cure.

    Just weeks after this interview was recorded, news broke that clinical trials Dr Massey mentions - involving complex brain surgery to deliver gene therapy - were a success, slowing HD progression by up to 75%. Tom explains the science behind this advance, focusing on the role of DNA repair mechanisms.

    We talk about the big ethical issues around pre-symptomatic testing and hear Dr Massey’s reflection on the "awe-inspiring" families and patients who volunteer for invasive trials, driven by hope for their children and grandchildren. Tom talks about how his research is motivated by his relationships with his patients and how witnessing their decline has only driven him further in his search for new treatments.

    This is an essential listen for anyone connected to HD or interested in the future of neurodegenerative disease treatment.

    If you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk.
    For further help and advice please visit
    https://www.alzheimers.org.uk
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    28 m
  • Actress Lucy Briers (Part 2): Treat the Person, Not the Illness

    Actress Lucy Briers (Part 2): Treat the Person, Not the Illness
    Nov 25 2025
    In this second part of our conversation with Lucy Briers, she talks candidly about the last few months of her Mum, Ann’s life and the coping strategies she used to help her.

    Lucy talks about how her mum looked ten years younger in her final days and seemed to remember her late husband, Richard, again. She also talks about the glimpses of affection shown by her mum and how important they were to her.

    We also hear about Ann’s days at the Liverpool Playhouse and how Lucy discovered her mum’s diary from the time and found out all about her pre-marriage dating life.

    It’s the culmination of a beautiful, revealing interview where Lucy offers words of advice for others going through a similar situation. We hope you find some inspiration from it.

     We'd love to hear your stories and your advice for anyone living with dementia - or if you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk. For further help and advice, please visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk
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    37 m
  • Actress Lucy Briers on dealing with her mum’s dementia (Part 1)

    Actress Lucy Briers on dealing with her mum’s dementia (Part 1)
    Nov 18 2025
    Lucy Briers is part of acting royalty. Her dad Richard was in The Good Life. Her mum Ann Davies was in Doctor Who. Lucy herself is an accomplished actress and starred in the classic 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Over the next two episodes, Lucy talks to us about how she and her sister dealt with her mum’s dementia.

    When Richard died in 2013, the family mistook the early symptoms of Ann's dementia for grief. They then struggled to get her to come to terms with the disease in the lead-up to diagnosis.

    Lucy talks about adjusting to life with dementia and how she learned to stop caring about social niceties and began to find patience, understanding and strategies to help Ann day to day.
     
    We'd love to hear your stories and your advice for anyone living with dementia - or if you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk.For further help and advice please visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk
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    34 m
  • Memory Box: Justine Pickering

    Memory Box: Justine Pickering
    Feb 27 2025
    Between our main episodes, we're opening up our Memory Box, asking simple, nostalgia-driven questions to our guests and ourselves. These questions prompt memory and can help start a dialogue with someone with dementia.

    This time it's the turn of our presenter Justine to pick her favourite book, piece of music and a memory she'll treasure forever.

     We'd love to hear your stories and advice for anyone with dementia - or if you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk.
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    6 m
  • Memory Box: Professor Vincent Dion

    Memory Box: Professor Vincent Dion
    Feb 25 2025
    Between our main episodes, we're opening up our Memory Box, asking simple, nostalgia-driven questions to our guests and ourselves. These questions prompt memory and can help start a dialogue with someone with dementia.

    This week, it's the turn of Professor Vincent Dion of the UK Dementia Research Institute who talked to us at length in Episode 9.

     We'd love to hear your stories and advice for anyone with dementia - or if you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk.
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    5 m
  • Memory Box: Rebecca Evans

    Memory Box: Rebecca Evans
    Feb 20 2025
    Between our main episodes, we're opening up our Memory Box, asking simple, nostalgia-driven questions to our guests and ourselves. These questions prompt memory and can help start a dialogue with someone with dementia.

    This week, it's the turn of Grammy-winning soprano, Rebecca Evans who talked to us at length in Episode 7.

     We'd love to hear your stories and your advice for anyone living with dementia - or if you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk.
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    5 m
  • Huntington's Disease: Professor Vincent Dion on The Promise of a Cure

    Huntington's Disease: Professor Vincent Dion on The Promise of a Cure
    Feb 18 2025
    Vincent Dion is a professor at Cardiff University’s UK Dementia Research Institute. In this episode, Justine and Julie talk to Professor Dion about the latest advancements in research into Huntington's disease which could provide significant hope for the future.

    Professor Dion’s work centres on using technology to target and correct the genetic mutation that causes Huntington’s. While the signs are positive, the challenge now lies in transitioning from the labs to clinical trials which requires substantial investment and navigating regulatory hurdles.

    We also talk about the broader implications of genetic therapies for other diseases caused by similar genetic mutations and their potential impact on the wider field of dementia research.
    • Key Moments:
    • Vincent Dion’s journey into research (02:12)
    • Understanding Huntington's Disease (05:35)
    • Innovative approaches in genetic therapy (09:20)
    • Challenges in advancing research to clinical trials (12:15)
    • The future of Huntington's Disease treatment (16:29)
    • Optimism and future directions in research (26:32)

     We'd love to hear your stories and advice for anyone with dementia - or if you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk.
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    34 m
  • Memory Box: Carrie Williams

    Memory Box: Carrie Williams
    Feb 13 2025
    Between our main episodes, we're opening up our Memory Box, asking simple, nostalgia-driven questions to our guests and ourselves. These questions prompt memory and can help start a dialogue with someone with dementia.

    This week, it's the turn of Carrie Williams, who told us the story of her husband's early onset dementia earlier in the series

     We'd love to hear your stories and your advice for anyone living with dementia - or if you have any questions for Justine and Prof Julie. Email us hello@twomindspodcast.co.uk.
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    5 m