18 mins
Oct 22, 2025
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Recorded at the Royal Society of Medicine on 13 May 2024, the Howard Foundation Lecture 2024 explores new scientific insights into the shared biology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer’s disease. In this presentation, Prof. John Nolan, Director of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, discusses how decades of research have helped reveal common factors involved in degeneration of both the retina and the brain.
The Howard Foundation Lecture 2024 highlights the growing scientific interest in understanding how visual function, memory, and cognitive performance may be influenced by long-term nutritional patterns. Prof. Nolan explains the role of carotenoids, natural pigments found in colourful fruits and vegetables, and why their importance in both eye and brain science continues to emerge from published research.
As global rates of AMD and Alzheimer’s disease continue to rise, researchers are looking closely at the potential benefits of early, proactive strategies that may help support long-term retinal and cognitive function. The Howard Foundation Lecture 2024 presents an overview of key themes in this evolving area, discussing how carefully designed clinical trials are contributing to our understanding of nutrition and its potential role in supporting wellbeing across the lifespan.
This lecture also reflects the ongoing work conducted at the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, where Prof. Nolan and his team have spent many years investigating the science of macular pigment, nutrition, and visual performance. You can learn more about this research here.
The video below provides full access to the Howard Foundation Lecture 2024 as delivered at the Royal Society of Medicine. It offers valuable context for anyone interested in the latest developments in vision science, brain health research, and the role of targeted nutrition.
Recorded at the Royal Society of Medicine on 13 May 2024, this lecture explores new scientific insights into the shared biology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer’s disease.
In this presentation, Prof. John Nolan, Director of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, outlines how decades of research have revealed common factors driving degeneration in both the retina and the brain. He discusses how targeted nutritional strategies, informed by clinical trials are offering promising, safe approaches to support visual function, memory and cognitive performance.
Prof. Nolan explains the role of carotenoids, natural pigments found in colourful fruits and vegetables, and why understanding their impact on the eye and brain has become increasingly important. With global rates of Age- related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer’s disease continuing to rise, and with limited treatment options available, early intervention and scientifically validated nutritional support are emerging as areas of real potential.
