Kaila Borgards (Cognitive Neuroscience MPhil 2024) is investigating lifestyle-based risk factors that can lead to dementia, hoping that she can help not only to treat cognitive decline but to prevent it.
During an internship working alongside a neurologist at a university hospital in Germany, Kaila met a patient who, concerned about her memory, wished to know whether she had dementia. The relevant tests determined that the patient, while still within normal memory ranges, was showing other signs of developing dementia; however, she was still at too early a stage for the usual pharmacological interventions, which only work once a patient is already showing moderate cognitive deficits. The patient was dismissed and told to return in two or three years when the symptoms had worsened.
Kaila recalls feeling perplexed at this situation and was determined to find out what interventions could be taken within those two to three years of a patient’s life if pharmacology would be ineffectual. This interest has led to her MPhil in Cognitive Neuroscience at Gonville & Caius College, where her research explores the interplay between lifestyle factors, brain health and cognition.
In addition to more obvious risk factors including lack of exercise, high cholesterol and social isolation, Kaila has found some more surprising contributors to dementia, such as hearing and vision loss, and air pollution. For those suffering from sensory impairments, hearing aids and glasses could make a significant difference in preventing cognitive decline.
Particularly rewarding for Kaila is the knowledge that her research can have important applications that will benefit many people suffering from, or who have a family member suffering from, dementia. She says: “Every time we talk about our research and I mention dementia, at least somebody is interested – because I want to prevent it, not just treat it. It’s definitely motivating to know that at some level it has a strong translational aspect.”
Kaila has found Caius an excellent place to study her MPhil, attributing her love of the College particularly to the vibrancy of the MCR, of which she is the Women’s and Non-Binary Welfare Officer and International Officer for 2025-26.
“Our MCR community is thriving and very active,” Kaila adds. “It’s an extra layer of being involved with the people, staying social and staying active. The recent Research Day was such a great opportunity for me as a Master’s student to present. I don’t think I had presented my research at the stage it was at to anyone outside my department yet, so that was really fun for me.”
