Dementia research underfunded, former Health Minister claims

The Liberal Democrat MP, who was speaking during a backbench debate in Parliament claimed that research into the condition was lagging behind other diseases and called for resources to be brought in line with that of cancer.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'Dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge of our generation. There is still no cure and very few treatments. Despite this, there are currently 150 times fewer clinical trials being carried out on Alzheimer's than on late stage cancer.

'The commitment by the government to double funding in dementia research by 2015 was a welcome boost but we must do more if we are to make the advancements we need. As well as investment we must also look at different routes of developing treatments, including looking at whether existing drugs for other conditions could have benefits.'

Louise Lakey
Policy Manager
Alzheimer's Society

Related information

• Find out about Alzheimer's Society Research