Carol Jennings: A Legacy That Changed Alzheimer's Research

A teacher from Nottingham has been awarded a posthumous honorary doctorate (DSc Med) from University College London (Queen Square Institute of Neurology) for her pivotal role in Alzheimer's research. Carol Jennings died in March 2024 with Alzheimer's disease.

A Family's Crucial Discovery

In 1983, her father Walter Bexon was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, followed by four of his siblings. Convinced that genetics played a role, Jennings contacted researchers through the Alzheimer's Society. Her family's participation in research would ultimately help prove the genetic basis of the disease.

The Scientific Breakthrough

Researchers Prof Sir John Hardy and Prof Martin Rossor, responding to an advertisement in an Alzheimer's Society newsletter, studied the family and identified a mutation in the amyloid gene.

This discovery was monumental—it provided the first evidence linking the amyloid protein to familial Alzheimer's disease. The finding later led to the development of treatments that can slow disease progression in its early stages.

A Lifetime of Advocacy

Jennings and her husband Stuart Jennings became powerful advocates for dementia research. The Alzheimer's Society recognized their contributions by:

• Appointing them as Vice Presidents
• Establishing the Carol Jennings Fellowship to support innovative research

An Immeasurable Impact

Hardy, who nominated Jennings for the award, stated that her impact on their research is immeasurable and will continue for decades. Her legacy not only advanced scientific understanding but also paved the way for potential treatments that could change countless lives.