Leading scientists warn over lack of dementia investment

In a letter to the government 31 leading dementia researchers united to call for a national plan for dementia research and a tripling of current investment.

The letter coincides with the first ever ministerial research summit on dementia. The summit, hosted by Care Services Minister, Phil Hope, will bring together leading researchers and people with dementia to tackle low levels of investment and set priorities for dementia research.

The letter reads:

'Today (21 July) the government will hold a ministerial dementia research summit at the Royal Society. After years of underfunding, it is encouraging that dementia research is receiving serious attention.

Within a generation, 1.4 million people in the UK will live with dementia, costing our economy £50 billion per year. Yet for every pound spent on dementia care, a fraction of a penny is spent on research into defeating the condition.

Our key weakness is lack of funding, not lack of talent. The government must use this summit to initiate a national dementia research strategy. Most importantly, it must commit to tripling its annual support for dementia research to £96 million within five years. If the government squanders this opportunity, we will all pay the price.'

Prof Julie Williams, Alzheimer's Research Trust

Prof Clive Ballard, Alzheimer's Society

Dr Kieran Breen, Parkinson's Disease Society

Prof John Hardy FRS, Institute of Neurology

Prof Peter St George-Hyslop FRS, University of Cambridge

Prof Simon Lovestone, Institute of Psychiatry

Prof Robin Jacoby, University of Oxford

Prof Alistair Burns, University of Manchester

Prof David Brooks, Imperial College London

Prof Seth Love, University of Bristol

and 21 others (listed below)

Professor Clive Ballard, Director of Research, Alzheimer's Society says,

'Dementia costs the UK more than heart disease stroke and cancer combined, but the government invests eight times less in dementia research than cancer research. Significant breakthroughs are within our grasp but without further investment millions more people will die.'

There are 700, 000 people with dementia in the UK and this will rise to more than a million people in less than 20 years. The cost of dementia will increase from £17 billion today to over £27 billion by 2026.

Ends

The 21 further signatories not mentioned above are: Prof Steve Iliffe, University College London; Prof Rajesh Kalaria, Newcastle University; Prof Lawrence Whalley, University of Aberdeen; Prof Anne Rosser, University of Cardiff; Prof Roy Jones, Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE) Bath; Dr Richard Wade-Martins, University of Oxford; Dr Karen Horsburgh, University of Edinburgh; Dr Stephen Gentleman, Imperial College London; Dr Diane Hanger, Kings College London; Prof Kevin Morgan, University of Nottingham; Prof Nigel Hooper, University of Leeds; Prof Nick Fox, University College London; Prof James Fawcett, University of Cambridge; Prof David Smith, Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA); Dr Maria Grazia Spillantini, University of Cambridge; Prof Esme Moniz-Cook, University of Hull; Prof James Nicoll, University of Southampton; Prof John Young, Bradford Institute of Health Research; Dr Michel Goedert FRS, University of Cambridge; Dr David Dawbarn, University of Bristol; Prof John O'Brien, Newcastle University;

Notes to editors:

• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk