Psychology research features in BBC dementia documentary
Psychology researcher Rob McIntosh and graduate Alicia Willoughby contributed to the two-part documentary series 'Dementia and Us', which follows four people with dementia and their families over the course of two years
The first episode of BBC documentary Dementia and Us airs tonight Tuesday 5th October at 9pm on BBC2. The documentary series will explore what it’s really like to live with the condition over a period of time, following the ups and downs of life with a changing brain.
Research on a rare type of dementia
Psychology professor Rob McIntosh was a consultant for the show and psychology graduate Alicia Willoughby can be seen in episode one, doing some cognitive testing for her undergraduate dissertation on people with a diagnosis of Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA). PCA is a rare form of dementia that usually begins by affecting a person's vision.
A woman called Marion took part in Alicia's study. Marion is one of the four people followed in the BBC documentary series, and so Alicia's research became a part of Marion's story which is told in episode one.
We are very excited to see the finished film, which aims to give an insight into the lives of people affected by different types of dementia.
Watch 'Dementia and Us'
The second episode will air next week on Tuesday 12th October at 9pm on BBC2. Both the episodes will be available to view after broadcast on the BBC iPlayer:
BBC Two - Dementia & Us, Series 1, Episode 1
About Alicia Willoughby
Alicia has an MA in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh (Class of 2020) and was the (joint) winner of the British Neuropsychological Society Undergraduate Prize in 2020 for her project on neuropsychological research with people with a diagnosis of Posterior Cortical Atrophy.
The British Neuropsychological Society - Prizes and Bursaries