New funding for dementias and neurodegenerative diseases research

Patients and carers are set to benefit from quicker access to the latest treatments following the launch of seven new Local Research Networks in England to support research into debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.

The Networks are funded by the Department of Health, as part of the UK Clinical Research Network, to coordinate and deliver research studies which focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

Dementias and neurodegenerative diseases constitute a growing problem. Dementias alone affect over 750,000 people in the UK, creating an associated healthcare cost which is estimated to be around £7 billion.

The range of these disorders and their management is one of the major challenges facing the new Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN), which will build on the strengths already present in the UK whilst also aiming to substantially increase general research capacity.