Alzheimer's Society delighted at stem cell research grant
Published 20 April 2004
The Society has welcomed today's announcement that it is to receive a grant of more than £200,000 from the Community Fund for stem cell research into potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
The grant of £227,461, awarded to the Alzheimer's Society in partnership with the Alzheimer's Research Trust, will fund a three-year research project to use stem cells to deliver to the brain a compound that promotes cell growth.
Dr Susanne Sorensen, Alzheimer's Society head of research, says:
'Lay members of our Quality Research in Dementia programme have highlighted stem cells as a top research priority. We see real potential in stem cell research for finding effective new treatments, and even a cure for Alzheimer's' disease.'
'As stem cell research into dementia is still at an early stage the work supported by the Community Fund will be carried out using animal models of Alzheimer's disease. If this research project is successful it will probably lead to further animal trials. Trials of this technique in people with Alzheimer's are still quite far off.'
The research will use mouse stem cells to carry nerve growth factor to the brain, where it is hoped it will improve the function of brain cells and help new brain cells to grow.
The research will be led by Dr Janet Carter, senior lecturer in old age psychiatry at University College London, and will be monitored by members of the Society's QRD network.
'This project is the first research collaboration the Society has undertaken with Alzheimer's Research Trust, and we are delighted that this important research is now going ahead,'
says Dr Sorensen.
An additional grant allocation will cover the cost of monitoring and dissemination the research.
Notes for editors
- The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2004.
- Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
- Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
- There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
- For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
- Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
