Research achievements

Alzheimer's Society funds cutting-edge research into the cause, cure, care and prevention of dementia. So far we have funded over 140 research projects. Some of our achievements include:

Alzheimer's Society host a symposium at ICAD 2011

Alzheimer's Society has secured an evening symposium at this year's International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in Paris in July. The symposium will discuss alternative approaches to the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, including presentations of trials of new therapies and techniques. The symposium is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of this important topic.

Drug Discovery programme launched

Alzheimer's Society has successfully launched its innovative new Drug Discovery programme. The programme aims to develop new treatments for Alzheimer's disease from existing drugs that are currently licensed for other uses. It is hoped that this exciting programme could see new, more effective treatments developed within 5-10 years.

Supporting the NIHR dementia-themed call for research

The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) is calling for dementia-themed research funding applications. Alzheimer's Society hosted a workshop to bring together our Research Network volunteers and potential researchers, with the aim of supporting high quality research applications. In total, the Society will work in partnership to support 40 research applications submitted to the NIHR, and is playing a key role in making the most of this important opportunity to increase national investment in research.

Alzheimer's Society increases its commitment to dementia research

Dementia research is desperately under-funded in the UK. In 2010 we invested £2 million in new research but there is so much more we want to fund. The Society has now committed to increase our annual research spend to £5 million by 2014. We are campaigning for similar increases from government and other research funders.

Training of care staff reduces use of unlicensed drugs in care homes

Antipsychotic drugs are dangerously over-prescribed to people with dementia and cause devastating side affects. Our research published in the British Medical Journal showed that specialist dementia training can improve quality of life and reduce the need for antipsychotics by 50%. Find out more about this project here.

The first ever online clinical trial

Does brain training work? 'Brain Test Britain' is a ground-breaking online clinical trial into the benefits of brain training involving 13,000 people in the UK. So far the trial has shown that brain training does not improve mental fitness in people under 60. These results have been published in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature. A trial in people over 60 is still underway.

Tackling the tangles in the Alzheimer's brain

Our researchers pioneered research into the tau protein, which is now recognised as key to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. They found that abnormally produced tau causes the development of tangles in the brain and are investigating new targets for drug treatments. Our scientists have also produced a valuable model of Alzheimer's disease in fruit flies.

Developing earlier and more accurate diagnoses for dementia

Only one in three people with dementia receive a diagnosis, preventing them from accessing the information, support and treatment they need. Our researchers have developed new brain scanning techniques and are now working towards better, more accurate ways to diagnose dementia earlier.

Award-winning patient and public involvement in research

People with dementia and their carers play a vital role in our research. The Research Network of 180 people with dementia, carers and former carers are involved in setting research priorities, aiding funding decisions, monitoring the progress of funded projects, and disseminating the findings to the wider public. This public involvement in research has been regarded as a benchmark against which other charities build similar programmes.

National Dementia Strategy for England

The National Dementia Strategy for England was announced in February 2009. Alzheimer's Society worked closely with the government to advise on the strategy and continues to campaign for more investment in dementia research.