A couple of years ago, Alzheimer’s Research UK launched its first-ever awareness advertising campaign, with an arresting and urgent film designed to shake society by the lapels in how it thinks about dementia. This is a condition that is hamstrung by decades of sweeping under the carpet; seldom talked-about and frequently misunderstood. In recent years, we […]
A study of the US healthcare system released yesterday says the current structure is insufficient to quickly deliver future treatments for people living with dementia. Although the US and UK health systems are inherently different, this review of the American system is a reminder of the need within our own health system to prepare for […]
In his documentary programme Dementia, Football and Me, former footballer Alan Shearer investigates a potential link between playing football and the risk of a form of dementia related to head injuries. His documentary follows a small study we reported on earlier this year which pointed to the need for more research into an issue that […]
With each heartbeat, blood vessels deliver around 15% of your blood up into your brain. This energy-hungry organ can only keep going thanks to the constant supply of nutrients and oxygen that are carried to it in the blood. Hundreds of miles of arteries, veins and capillaries circulate blood around every inch of the brain. […]
If you ask someone to name a symptom of dementia, chances are they would mention becoming forgetful or problems with memory. While these are the most well-known symptoms of Alzheimer’s, which is the most common cause of dementia, there are some more varied and lesser known symptoms that can affect things like vision, speech, personality […]
It can come as a surprise to know that having Down’s syndrome puts people at much higher risk of Alzheimer’s. In fact, the genetic rearrangement that causes Down’s syndrome is one of the greatest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s. Sadly, everyone with Down’s syndrome will have developed the characteristic plaques and tangles of Alzheimer’s in […]
‘How can I prevent dementia?’ is one of the most common questions we hear at Alzheimer’s Research UK. And no wonder: without treatments to affect the underlying diseases, it’s natural for people to look for ways to stave off the condition. It’s also hugely important for government, as action to help people reduce their dementia […]
Dr Alois Alzheimer caught the first glimpse of amyloid plaques in the brain in 1906. Over a century later, the amyloid protein remains at the centre of efforts to understand and tackle Alzheimer’s disease. But should it be? We know there are other brain changes involved in Alzheimer’s and some people think these could be […]
In recent months, there have been a number of reports in the media on the emerging link between blows to the head, contact sports and dementia. This week at Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2017 we had the opportunity to hear from scientists to learn what research is going on. What is the link between blows […]
In May 2016 we committed £50m to support the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), our biggest financial commitment to a single initiative in our 25-year history. After an international search, Prof Bart De Strooper was named as Director of the UK DRI in late 2016, and UCL was announced as the hub of the […]
