What will you be doing at the University of Oxford?
"I will be investigating the mechanisms in the brain related to chronic shortness of breath. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we will analyse people's brains, first focusing on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and later in a study with a broader focus on the general population. My colleagues here in Oxford are experts in magnetic resonance imaging and have excellent facilities for conducting cutting-edge research. Eventually, I also hope to bring new knowledge and experience back to Sweden."
Chronic breathlessness affects up to 25 per cent of middle-aged and older people and is the dominant symptom among people with heart or lung disease. But despite the fact that breathlessness significantly impairs quality of life, effective treatments are still lacking.
Why is this research important?
"Chronic breathlessness affects up to 25 per cent of middle-aged and older people and is the dominant symptom among people with heart or lung disease. But despite the fact that breathlessness significantly impairs quality of life, effective treatments are still lacking. It has also been shown that people with similar degrees of disease severity experience very different levels of breathlessness. Much of the experience therefore depends on mechanisms that occur in the brain – such as anxiety, previous experiences and the ability to manage symptoms. The hope is that by identifying important brain mechanisms, we can develop new effective treatments – both with medication and therapy – to improve the lives of the millions of people affected."
How has your experience of Oxford been so far?
"I have previously visited Oxford as a visiting doctoral student, so I already know the city and the research group quite well. Oxford is an excellent place for research, and whether you are interested in a specific research area or a particular methodology, you can be fairly sure that there are at least one world-leading researcher in the field. The city and the medieval university buildings are incredibly inspiring, and since many films and books are set in Oxford, it feels like being part of an exciting story!"