Research

Researchers need volunteers with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to help improve care

Only some people who are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) go on to develop dementia.

We want to understand why this happens to some and not others, so that people can get better support sooner. To do this, researchers need volunteers who have MCI.

Your insight into MCI

No one needs to explain the importance of research volunteers to Ffion Lewis at Cardiff University.

‘To provide meaningful support, we must first understand the experiences of those affected,’ she says. 

Gaining insight directly from individuals with MCI is essential in developing more effective support.

Ffion is coordinating a study into what makes people more likely to experience depression or anxiety after an MCI diagnosis. This is especially important because those with depression may be more likely to develop dementia.

‘Some individuals with MCI may see improvement, others may remain stable, and some may experience decline,’ says Ffion.

‘This uncertainty can lead to mixed emotions, ranging from anxiety about the future to optimism about potential improvement.

‘Some individuals may take a proactive approach, focusing on their health and cognitive function, while others may choose to avoid thinking about it.

‘We hope to explore whether certain ways of perceiving or coping with MCI are linked to higher levels of depression or anxiety.’

Your action 

Fortunately, this Cardiff study has had all the participants it needs. However, many others are looking for volunteers.

If you take action by signing up to Join Dementia Research, you can find out about studies that need volunteers like you.

Lindsay Ray, Join Dementia Research Officer, says, 

We have studies looking for people with MCI on a regular basis, so it makes a huge difference when people volunteer and want to get involved.

Lindsay works at the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s regional research delivery network in northwest England.

One University of Manchester study is learning whether changes in a person’s hearing could be an early warning sign of them developing Alzheimer’s disease. 

As part of this, volunteers with MCI will have hearing and other tests 18 months apart. Volunteers who don’t have MCI will have the same tests, so their results can be compared.

This kind of research will increase our understanding of the differences between healthy ageing and the development of diseases that cause dementia.

Your chance to take part in research

Ffion underlines just how much dementia researchers rely on volunteers for all sorts of studies.

‘Your involvement is invaluable in helping to advance research and improve support for those affected,’ she says.

Lindsay agrees, ‘We need people to take part who have a dementia diagnosis, people with MCI, people without memory problems, and also people who are worried about their memory.

Everybody should have a chance to get involved and participate in dementia research.