The Prime Minister today called for a global effort to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time: dementia. UCL scientists, working with clinicians at the university's partner hospitals, are at the heart of the battle to treat the condition.
To
better understand the challenges that lie ahead, the Secretary of State
for Health Jeremy Hunt recently visited scientists and
clinicians leading dementia research projects at the UCL Institute of
Neurology and the National Hospital for
Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN).
He visited the Dementia Research Centre, where he observed a routine
assessment of memory, language, perceptual and other cognitive skills
which relate directly to the progressive changes in the brain. Mr Hunt
also saw how MRI brain scans can detect early change and track the
progression of disease.
Professor Nick Fox (UCL Institute of Neurology) whose
research involves improving diagnosis and tracking the very earliest
stages of the diseases said:
“We desperately need to find better treatment for these devastating diseases - and at the same time we must improve the care and support for the growing numbers of families that will be affected.”
Professor Martin Rossor (Director of the National Institute for
Health Research (NIHR) dementia and neurodegenerative research network
(DeNDRoN)) said:
“Research into dementia requires investment across the whole spectrum from basic science to policy research. The research groups at the NHNN and the UCL Institute of Neurology are particularly focused on early phase research and experimental medicine. Research at the NHNN and UCL covers the whole spectrum from basic science to health service research.
“We were pleased to welcome the health secretary to tell him more about our work.”
The
NHNN and UCL have benefited from considerable funding grants in the
past 12 months which will accelerate the development of treatments and
identify future therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, with
the aim of earlier intervention for patients.
Text: UCLH Communications Unit