Dementia: a UCL priority

What is dementia?

Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by different diseases that damage the brain. It is a progressive condition which can affect memory, language and behaviour. Currently there is no cure. 

While Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, there are others such as vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's and Huntington’s disease. There are also rarer forms of dementia caused by other diseases and conditions. 

Discover how UCL is tackling dementia

Our dementia research and expertise span the full spectrum from discovery science through to the evaluation of health and social care.

We have both the ambition and ability to make a difference and meet the challenge of this most pressing of global public health problems by focusing our world-leading expertise on cure, prevention and care. 

We are home to the national headquarters of the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), which is the single biggest investment the UK has ever made in dementia, primarily supported by the Medical Research Council, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society. The creation of UCL's new centre of excellence for neuroscience on Grays Inn Road will bring together the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, the UK DRI headquarters and the UCLH National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery under one roof with the aim of accelerating the treatment of neurological diseases.

Targeting dementia risk for prevention

We identify modifiable risk factors for neurodegenerative conditions and investigate how behavioural change and large-scale public health interventions can help. We also use brain imaging and biochemical markers to understand how we can prevent dementia before symptoms appear. 

Translating research discoveries into breakthrough treatments

We research the molecular and cellular basis of neurodegenerative conditions that give rise to dementia to help us identify therapeutic targets. Our cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facilities support our researchers in fast-tracking the development of new treatments.

Revolutionising care for those with dementia

At the heart of our work are those affected by dementia, as well as their carers and families. We focus on how to provide the best clinical care for patients and ensure that access to information, advice and support is available to everyone.

Working together to drive progress 

We work in collaboration with the NHS and people affected by dementia, as well as with charities and academic and industry partners across the world, to share knowledge, co-develop research and drive progress.

Training the next generation of dementia researchers  

We are equipping the next generation of scientists and clinicians with the capability and technology they need to develop breakthrough cures and treatments that will enable us to conquer the challenge of dementia once and for all.

More groundbreaking research at UCL

• Meet Professor Karen Duff, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute: Professor Karen Duff has worked for over 30 years on Alzheimer’s disease, with a particular focus on tauopathies.
• Professor John Collinge on tackling prion diseases: Professor John Collinge is Director of the MRC Prion Unit and also directs the NHS National Prion Clinic at the adjacent National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
• Dr Victoria Garfield on how napping can preserve brain health: Dr Victoria Garfield investigates healthy ageing and how lifestyle and social factors can slow cognitive decline.
• Dr Joshua Stott on improving wellbeing in people with dementia: Dr Joshua Stott is director of the UCL ADAPT lab and studies the use of cognitive behavioural therapy and talking therapies for people with dementia.
• Dr Soyon Hong on investigating microglia and the importance of collaboration within her lab: Dr Soyon Hong is a specialist in the relationship between microglia and synapses.
• Meet Dr Vitor Zimmerer: Dr Vitor Zimmerer is a clinical linguist and cognitive scientist, with a focus on language capacity in neurodiversity and people with neurological disorders such as dementia.
• Meet Professor Selina Wray: Professor Selina Wray's lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
• Meet Dr Marc Busche: Dr Marc Busche is leading a UK Dementia Research Institute Grand Challenge project focused on developing a functional circuit biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Meet Professor Fiona Ducotterd, Chief Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer’s Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute: Professor Fiona Ducotterd discusses the challenges in developing drugs to treat neurodegenerative conditions like dementia.
• Dr Evangelia Chrysikou on designing for dementia: Dr Evangelia Chrysikou investigates the field of architecture and dementia, and how we can design for dementia.
• Professor Anne Schilder on the links between hearing loss and dementia: Professor Anne Schilder is an ENT surgeon and investigates the links between hearing loss and dementia.
• Dr Jem Bhatt on the negative treatment and discrimination faced by dementia carers: Dr Jem Bhatt from the UCL Unit for Stigma Research conducts psychosocial dementia research, and investigates the discrimination faced by dementia carers.
• Dr Coco Newton on what navigation and virtual reality tests reveal about dementia: Dr Coco Newton is a neuroscientist at the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience who focuses on finding ways to detect dementia earlier.
• Dr Dennis Chan on spatial navigation and early detection of Alzheimer’s: Dr Dennis Chan is a Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience as well as a consultant neurologist.
• Amyloid-beta transmission and Alzheimer’s disease: Dr Gargi Banerjee investigates the transmission of amyloid-beta through historical medical treatments to improve our understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
• Dr Naaheed Mukadam on creating better equality in dementia diagnosis and care: Dr Naaheed Mukadam investigates the problem of ethnic inequalities in dementia diagnosis and care, and how to address the issue. 
• UCL’s flagship MSc is helping to meet the global dementia challenge: Find out how UCL is helping to meet the global dementia challenge by training the next generation of dementia researchers.