Resources for scientists

Alzheimer's Society is dedicated to funding the highest quality projects in dementia research.

There are some useful resources available to researchers to help improve the quality of your application and research design.

Brain tissue database

Brains for Dementia Research (BDR) provides a database of brain tissue for research. This unique resource ensures tissue is matched with full medical records of the donor and ensures tissue has been handled according to a gold standard of donation procedure.

Researchers can register with the database and apply for tissue through the BDR website.

BDR is jointly funded by Alzheimer's Society and the Alzheimer's Research Trust.

NIHR Research Design Service

The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) provides a network of regional support for researchers who require assistance with designing research projects. The Research Design Service is intended to increase the quality of funding applications.

Alzheimer's Society fully supports this initiative and encourages researchers to consult with the service, particularly if you are not experienced in research design. We hope this resource will be particularly useful to health and care professionals who may not have a research background, but who are interested in seeking funding for research.

NIHR Clinical Research Networks for England

Researchers who are coordinating a clinical trial are encouraged to register their study with the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN). The aim of this resource is to enable better coordination between researchers and the public to facilitate clinical trials.

The NIHR CRN website provides details on all the networks and how to register a trial.

The dedicated network for dementia research is the Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN)

Working in partnership

Alzheimer's Society welcomes invitations to work in partnership in dementia research. We can draw on our experience and our valuable Research Network of approximately 250 people with dementia, carers and former carers.