Name: Prof Anne E Rosser
Roles: Professor in Clinical Neuroscience and Honorary Consultant Neurologist. I joined the HD service in 2003. Within the HD centre, my role is to manage and follow-up individuals who are either presymptomatic or symptomatic of the disease. I carry out a routine physical examination on every patient to determine the extent of neurological symptoms of the disease. I also review medication and concomitant problems associated with the disease. I am the lead investigator of a lab group based at the Brain Repair Group where we research the use of stem cells in replacing neural tissue lost to neurodegenerative disease.
Background: First degree in Medicine and a PhD in Clinical Neuroscience.
Interests: Chairman of the UKHDN. Current Joint co-ordinator of a multicentre MRC-supported Clinical Trial of Neural transplantation in Huntington’s disease. President of European Network for CNS Transplantation and Regeneration (from 2003-2005).

Name: Prof Angus Clarke
Role: Professor and consultant in clinical genetics. In the HD centre, my role is to conduct the genetic counselling for predictive genetic testing for those at risk of HD. More generally, I am involved in a broad range of clinical genetics work alongside the teaching of medical and genetic counselling students and research.
Background: First degree in genetics, then clinical medicine. Further training in paediatrics and clinical genetics.
Interests: social and ethical issues arising from developments in human genetics, including genetic testing and family communication; the process of genetic counselling; Rett syndrome; ectodermal dysplasia; neuromuscular disorders.

Name: Dr Jenny Naji
Role: Cognitive Assessments/Research Fellow
Background: After completing a PhD in vision science I joined Cardiff Brain Repair Group as a research psychologist. I coordinate the UK Huntington's Disease Network (UKHDN) and am the joint UK coordinator for the European Huntington's Disease Network. At the HD Management clinic my main role is to conduct the neuropsychological assessments, which focus on thinking, planning and memory tasks.
Interests: I am currently involved in several studies, e.g. EHDN Registry, circadian rhythms, biomarkers and neurobiological predictors of HD (PREDICT-HD).
Telephone: 029 2087 5197
Email: NajiJJ@cf.ac.uk

Name: Dr Olivia Handley
Role: Cognitive assessor/Research Associate
Background: I obtained my degree in Psychology from Cardiff University and went on to complete a PhD in risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease in 2004. In October 2003, began working as a Research Associate with the Brain Repair Group. Research activities include being the UK co-ordinator for the NEST-HD UK transplant trial and joint UK coordinator for the European Huntington’s disease Network. I have particular interest in the nature and course of cognitive changes in HD and am currently working on a number of projects profiling the course of cognitive decline in those at risk and affected by Huntington’s disease.
Interests: Neuropsychology of dementia, in particular Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Telephone: 029 2087 5197
Email: HandleyO@cf.ac.uk

Name: Ruth Glew
Role: Genetic counsellor – I coordinate the All Wales HD Service and am particularly involved in genetic counselling of individuals at risk of Huntington’s disease and Predictive Testing. This occupies (theoretically!!) two days of the working week and with my other hat on I am the general genetic counsellor for the Bridgend area (also 2 days a week.)
I co-ordinate the UK HD Predictive Testing Consortium. This is a forum where professionals involved in genetic testing for HD meet to exchange expertise and look at best practice. We also collect national demographic data on HD testing.
Background: I have worked in the NHS for too many years to mention! Firstly training as a general nurse and later training in psychiatry. I wanted to work in a field that combined the two disciplines and by luck or should I say fate was successful in getting a genetic nurse post in Southampton. 15 years, 2 moves and a degree later, here I am in Cardiff where I have been for the last 7 years. I have been working with HD families for the last 13years and have been lucky to work with Professor Sir Peter Harper now retired.
Interests: I am and have always been focussed on improving the quality of care we give to patients and their families, and am pleased that through the hard work of Professor Harper previously and the HD team now that we have managed to be able to get more resources to enable us to do this. I am also very interested in how families and individuals adapt to being at risk and how best we can help them to do this.
In my other life – mum and housekeeper, my interests include playing the piano, gardening (especially growing own veg – much better than the supermarket!) and yoga for relaxation. My new pastime, learning the saxophone, is not proving so relaxing especially for the neighbours!