About us

Prevent Dementia is led by Professor Craig Ritchie of the University of St Andrews, with leading investigators at each of our study sites:

Prof Craig Ritchie
Prof Craig Ritchie

Chief Investigator

Prof Karen Ritchie
Prof Karen Ritchie

Co-Chief Investigator

Prof John O’Brien

Cambridge site Principal Investigator and Imaging lead

Prof Brian Lawlor
Prof Brian Lawlor

Principal Investigator

Prof Lorina Naci

Dublin site Principal Investigator and Women’s health working group co-lead

Prof Jean Manson

Bioresource lead

Prof Graciela Muniz-Terrera

Principal Investigator and Biostatistics lead

Prof Paresh Malhotra

London site Principal Investigator

Dr Ivan Koychev
Dr Ivan Koychev

Oxford site Principal Investigator

Dr Sarah Gregory

Women’s health working group co-lead

Katie Bridgeman

National Coordinator

Hannah Darwin

Edinburgh site Study Coordinator

Laura-May Land

Cambridge site Study Coordinator

Katja McBane

London site Study Coordinator

David Driscoll

Steering group lay representative


Participants’ Panel

The Prevent Participant’s panel was established in August 2013 prior to the development of the Prevent Research Programme. The panel is made up of a group of volunteers with a keen interest in dementia prevention and have participated in the study themselves. The panel meet on a regular basis to discuss the progress of the research and consider any additional studies which Prevent participants may be invited to become involved with. Two members of the panel also sit on the steering group committee and they attend these meetings to provide feedback and suggestions on behalf of the panel. The panel are critical to the development of the Prevent Research Programme and also help with the review of study documentation.


Steering group committee

The PREVENT Steering group committee meet quarterly to discuss the progress and future plans for the programme. Whilst the committee only meet face to face twice a year the committee manage the programme throughout the year by making decisions on data access requests and potential sub-studies as well problem solving any issues relating to the programme on an ongoing basis. The committee is chaired by Prof Craig Ritchie and members include those with expertise in relevant areas of dementia prevention research along with a funder representative and two participant representatives.


Scientific Advisory board

Alongside the Steering group the study is also advised by a Scientific Advisory board which is chaired by Prof Gordon Wilcock (University of Oxford). Members of the board include Prof Nick Fox (University College London), Prof Martin Prince (Kings College London) and Prof Ian McKeith (Newcastle University).