Profile

Dr Richard J Elsworthy PhD

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Research Fellow

Contact details

Telephone: +44(0) 121 414 4109
Email: r.j.elsworthy@bham.ac.uk

Address: School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
University 麻豆精选
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Dr Richard Elsworthy is primarily interested in the mechanisms underlying neurological disease. Richard works with stem cells, modelling the brain to detect early pathological features of both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Richard also has an interest in how exercise can be used to improve brain health and prevent disease.

Qualifications

BSc (hons) Sport and Exercise Science (University of Gloucestershire)
MSc Sport and Exercise Sciences (University 麻豆精选)
PhD Biochemistry (University 麻豆精选)

Biography

Richard joined the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences as a MSc student to pursue his interest in exercise biochemistry. Following this, he then obtained his PhD completing research into understanding the early pathological features of Alzheimer’s disease. Richard has also completed research into modeling the brain using stem cells, working in collaboration with at Aston University.

Richard is now a research fellow in the school, working closely with Professor Sarah Aldred, to continue developing stem cell derived models of the brain. His primary research interest is to develop cortical models of the Alzheimer’s disease brain. Richard is also working to investigate the early features of neurodevelopmental dysfunction in Schizophrenia.

Teaching

Richard contributes to several modules in the school including, Metabolic Perspectives in Exercise and Nutrition, Exercise Biochemistry and Research Skills for Interdisciplinary research.

Research

Richard’s research interests are centered around identifying the early causes of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and how these may be targeted as therapeutic options. He is especially interested in the use of stem cells to model the brain.

Richard is also investigating how exercise can favorably modify biochemical pathways that may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr Elsworthy is also actively involved in investigating the underlying pathological features of first-episode psychosis and how exercise may be used as an effective intervention.

Other activities

Richard is a member of several professional bodies to support his research including: The Biochemical Society and The Society for Free Radical Research. Richard has presented his work at a number of scientific and public meetings such as U3A dementia awareness events. Richard has also organised Dementia research days at the University funded by ARUK. Richard is currently the Alzheimer’s Research UK Early Career Researcher.

Publications

Recent publications

Article

Elsworthy, RJ, Finelli, MJ, Aqattan, S, Dunleavy, C, King, M, Ludlam, A, Tarczyluk, MA, Allen, SL, Prosser, S, Chen, R, Jarquin, SM, Kim, DH, Brown, J, Parri, HR, Aldred, S & Hill, EJ 2025, '', Journal of Neurochemistry, vol. 169, no. 1, e16267.

Elsworthy, R, Pearce, A, Masoudzadeh, F, Koska, K, Lodhiya, H, Meher, G, Adjej, J & Brookes, K 2025, '', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 26, no. 524, 524.

Jennings, A, Shannon, OM, Gillings, R, Lee, V, Elsworthy, R, Bundy, R, Rao, G, Hanson, S, Hardeman, W, Paddick, S-M, Siervo, M, Aldred, S, Mathers, JC, Hornberger, M & Minihane, A 2024, '', BMC Medicine, vol. 22, 600.

Elsworthy, R, Jong, S, Hanson, S, Shannon, OM, Jennings, A, Gillings, R, Siervo, M, Hornberger, M, Hardeman, W, Mathers, JC, Minihane, A & Aldred, S 2024, '', Frontiers in public health, vol. 12, 1371453.

Dunleavy, C, Elsworthy, RJ, Wood, SJ, Allott, K, Spencer, F, Upthegrove, R & Aldred, S 2024, '', Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, vol. 120, pp. 379-390.

Spencer, F, Elsworthy, R, Breen, L, Bishop, J, Morrissey, S & Aldred, S 2024, '', Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 101, no. 4, pp. 1029-1042.

Elsworthy, R, Crowe, J, King, M, Dunleavy, C, Fisher, E, Ludlam, A, Parri, R, Hill, EJ & Aldred, S 2022, '', Translational Psychiatry, vol. 12, no. 1, 285.

Elsworthy, R, King, M, Grainger, A, Fisher, E, Crowe, J, Alqattan, S, Ludlam, A, Hill, EJ & Aldred, S 2021, '', Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, vol. 114, 103631.

Fisher, E, Wood, S, Elsworthy, R, Upthegrove, R & Aldred, S 2020, '', Translational Psychiatry, vol. 10, no. 1, 254.

Elsworthy, R & Aldred, S 2020, '', Experimental gerontology, vol. 132, 110838.

Chapter

Elsworthy, R & Aldred, S 2022, . in J Cobley & G Davison (eds), Oxidative Eustress in Exercise Physiology. 1st edn, Oxidative Stress and Disease, CRC Press, pp. 193-207.

Review article

Spencer, FSE, Elsworthy, RJ, Breen, L, Bishop, JRB, Dunleavy, C & Aldred, S 2025, '', Trials, vol. 26, no. 1, 20.

Elsworthy, R, Dunleavy, C, Whitham, M & Aldred, S 2022, '', Aging and Health Research, vol. 2, no. 3, 100093.

Dunleavy, C, Elsworthy, RJ, Upthegrove, R, Wood, SJ & Aldred, S 2022, '', Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, vol. 146, no. 1, pp. 6-20.

Elsworthy, R, Hill, EJ, Dunleavy, C & Aldred, S 2022, '', Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, vol. 14, 1056507.