Attributions

Matthew Campbell, PhD

Dr. Matthew Campbell, PhD, is a research assistant professor and lecturer in genetics at the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Ireland.  He leads the Neurovascular Genetics Research group at the same institution.  Dr. Campbell graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2006 with a PhD in Biochemistry, then focused on the role of tight junctions in the development of degenerative eye conditions. In the same year, he joined the Genetics Department in TCD and focused primarily on the molecular biology and physiology of the vasculature associated with neural tissues, including the brain and retina. He has published extensively on the use of RNA interference (RNAi) to modulate levels of distinct tight junction proteins at the BBB/inner blood retina barrier (BBB/iBRB) in vivo.



"Almost everyone knows somebody who has been affected by Alzheimer’s.  In my case it was my great-aunt Helen, whose daughter Claire called it ‘a very lonely illness for both the patient and their carers.’  At my request, Claire recounted some of the challenges she faced during her mother's illness. They included a lack of information and support, and a stigma attached to Alzheimer which made dealing with it much worse.

My mother, who had reared me in a most wonderful loving home, was now in need of my care and attention.  I was given no real tangible information except that her medical condition would deteriorate. Myself and my wonderful husband and children were the only real day-to-day support my mother had. As the illness progressed and her physical health became more frail and her speech very limited, there was still no information. We just muddled along.

Claire and her family never had an opportunity to learn about research into AD, including clinical trials and the hope of drug development.  Through ADR grants, and its efforts to publicize promising research on its website, BrightFocus offers hope to millions of families like Claire’s who are alone and coping with the burden of this disease."