01 Jun 24. Row Fogo Centre launch

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The Row Fogo Centre for Research into Ageing and the Brain was officially launched  on 17 April 2024 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Attended by over 110 delegates from around the globe, the launch marked a significant milestone in the journey to understand the causes and consequences of brain ageing and vascular disorders.

From 9am to 6pm launch attendees were listened to an impressive array of presentations and panel discussions on topics ranging from the role of inflammation in cerebral small vessel diseases (SVD) to clinical studies and current gaps in clinical guidelines. A poster display outlined several of the Row Fogo Centre’s achievements over the past two decades. The day was rounded off with a delicious dinner at the National Gallery of Scotland on Princes St. 

“Over the past two decades, the Row Fogo Centre for Research into Ageing and the Brain has brought together scientific specialties and advanced brain imaging methods from clinical and pre-clinical research to accelerate discoveries about mechanisms of common brain disorders—notably those due to blood vessel disorders—their causes, and treatment.” - Professor Joanna Wardlaw, Chair of Applied Neuroimaging; Head of Neuroimaging Sciences and Edinburgh Imaging; Foundation Chair at the Dementia Research Institute; Row Fogo Centre Director. 

"With a mission to raise awareness and deepen understanding of brain health and vascular disease, especially small vessel disease, our centre is committed to fostering collaboration among scientists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public," added Professor Wardlaw. 

Central to the centre's success has been its emphasis on collaboration, both nationally and internationally. Through strategic partnerships, conferences, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, the Row Fogo Centre has facilitated interdisciplinary dialogue, leading to advancements in imaging methods, computational tools for disease analysis, and therapeutic interventions. 

"Our achievements, including the development of innovative imaging methods and therapeutic strategies, are made possible thanks to the steadfast support of the Row Fogo Charitable Trust," remarked Professor Wardlaw. 

The impact of the Row Fogo Centre extends far beyond the walls of its research facilities. Many of its tools and resources, designed to expedite image processing and disease quantification, are freely available and widely utilised in research communities worldwide. Therapeutic approaches pioneered at the centre are now undergoing clinical trials, offering hope for improved outcomes for patients affected by brain disorders.  

As the Row Fogo Centre embarks on its next chapter, the focus remains on advancing brain health, managing cerebral small vessel disease, translating the best evidence to improve clinical practice, and alleviating  the global burden of stroke and dementia.  

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