Campaigners call for ring-fenced Alzheimer’s funding

Alzheimer’s Research UK is calling on the Government to commit to a national dementia research strategy as a new report is launched today.

There are 820,000 people living with dementia in the UK, costing the economy over £23bn.

The report, ‘Defeating Dementia’, claims that scientists need better opportunities to enter and remain in the field, as well as greater investment for new drugs, preventions and improved diagnosis. Additionally it recommends ring-fencing of funding, increased flexibility and innovation to improve understanding of the disease.

Alzheimer’s Research UK also calls for a removal of unnecessary bureaucracy in the process of research.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “It is right that we pay serious attention to the care challenge that dementia poses today and tomorrow, but we can’t just paper over the cracks. The only answer to dementia lies in research that will deliver new treatments and preventions.

“Government and other funders have taken some positive steps towards boosting research efforts in the UK, but we can’t rely on flash in the pan tactics. Through our recommendations, we are challenging all funders to take an essential long term view on dementia research. If we can’t boost the number of scientists working on dementia, then we will fail the 820,000 living with dementia today, and we will be powerless to avert the looming increases in prevalence.”  

Prof Julie Williams, chief scientific adviser to Alzheimer’s Research, added: “Investing in our high-achieving UK scientists is the only answer to dementia: our brains depend on theirs. It is clear from this report that we do not have enough scientists working in the dementia field to meet the colossal challenge it poses to society.

“We must not only support our current world-leading scientists, but also encourage new brains into the field, with new ideas and expertise to add to our armoury. We have to remove bureaucratic barriers to research so we can foster the right environment for scientists to thrive.”

The report is at www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/siteFiles/resources/documents/reports/ARUK_Defeating_Dementia_-_Building_capacity_to_capitalise_on_the_UKs_research_strengths.pdf