David Attwell facts for kids
David Attwell is a British scientist who studies the brain. He was born in 1953. He is a professor at University College London, where he teaches about how our bodies work. His important research helps us understand the brain better.
About David Attwell
David Attwell went to Magdalen College, Oxford to study physics and how the body works (physiology). He then earned his advanced degree, a D.Phil., in neuroscience from the University of Oxford. Neuroscience is the study of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves in your body.
After his studies in Oxford, he did more research in the United States at the University of California, Berkeley.
What He Studies
David Attwell has worked on many different parts of the brain and how it functions. Some of his main areas of study include:
- Brain Cells: He looks at special brain cells called glial cells. These cells support and protect the neurons (the main brain cells that send messages).
- Brain Energy: He studies how the brain uses energy. Our brains need a lot of energy to work, and understanding this helps us learn how the brain stays healthy.
- Brain Blood Flow: He researches how blood flows in the brain, especially in tiny blood vessels called capillaries. This is important because blood brings oxygen and nutrients to brain cells.
- Brain Diseases: His work also helps us understand serious brain problems like stroke and Alzheimer's disease. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts. Alzheimer's disease is a condition that affects memory and thinking.
New Research Centre
In April 2024, a group called the British Heart Foundation announced that David Attwell would lead their new Centre for Vascular Dementia Research. Vascular dementia is a type of memory loss caused by problems with blood flow to the brain. This new centre will help scientists learn more about this condition and find ways to help people who have it.
