UK to play lead role in European fight against dementia

A new initiative launched by the European Commission has adopted proposals to tackle Alzheimer's disease, dementias and other neurodegenerative conditions.

The UK is one of ten countries that will lead research aimed at tackling shared health and social care problems. According to the Commission there are over seven million people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in Europe and it is predicted that this number will double in the next 20 years.

Today's actions mark new steps both in the Commission's 'Europe for Patients campaign' and the new approach of Joint Programming in research.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research, Alzheimer's Society says,

'Building on successful high impact dementia research, the UK will play a critical role in this initiative, leading the fight to defeat dementia. By uniting to find a cause, cure and fund care, we can galvanise our efforts and offer hope to millions of people. 'But while Europe strives forward, the UK government still lags behind the US, Germany and France in providing dementia research funding and there is still no specifically targeted dementia research funding. Yesterday the government promised to develop a strategy for investment in dementia research. It must make good on its promises or we will all pay the price.'

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

The letter coincides with a unique ministerial research summit on dementia which stated the importance of increasing research funding spent on dementia. Experts agree the UK must follow the French model for dementia research which provides a focussed structure to support the full breadth of cause, cure and care research.

Ends

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.
• The Government only invests 2% of its medical research budget on dementia, compared to a third on cancer.
• One million people will develop dementia in the next 10 years. We must act now to improve care today and find a cure for tomorrow.
• The government spends £46 on research into dementia per person with dementia, compared to £124.25 per person with cancer.
• 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.
• Country Spend per head of the population (£s) US (2008) 1.3; Germany (2009) 0.68; France (2009) 0.58; UK (2008) 0.53.

Alzheimer's Society Press Office 0207 423 3595 Email: http://press@alzheimers.org.uk