Government pledges £300m for dementia research

UCL Institute of Neurology welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new five-year strategy focused on boosting research, care and awareness of dementia.

In the strategy, Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020, David Cameron sets out what the government wants to see in place by 2020 in order for England to be “the best place in the world to undertake research into dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases “

David Cameron's announcement for £300m additional investment In dementia research including establishing a new Dementia Research Institute for England is very encouraging news. Dementia is an enormous health challenge for society and is relatively underfunded compared to other important diseases like cancer. Professor Michael Hanna, Director of UCL Institute of Neurology

UCL Institute of Neurology is delighted to be involved in a number of key strategic initiatives that will have a significant impact in meeting this challenge.

At the Institute of Neurology and Queen Square we have an increasing and significant critical mass of world leading investigators in Dementia and in neurodegenerative diseases. With the recent successes of Institute PIs in establishing the Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre at Queen Square and the UCL Drug Discovery Institute we are in a strong position to translate our discoveries into drug development and experimental testing of new therapies. The Institute at Queen Square is well placed to make a leading contribution to the fight against dementia Professor Michael Hanna, Director of UCL Institute of Neurology

The key aspirations of the strategy, which builds on progress in recent years, include:

• More than £300 million to be invested by the UK Government in research and medical innovation, with annual investment in dementia research expected to double by 2025
• Launching a separate multi-million pound fund, with investors from the private, public and charity sectors, financing research projects identified by scientists as having the best potential for future success.
• Establishing an international dementia institute in England within 5 years, helping to make the UK a world leader for research on dementia and medical trials.
• Doubling the number of people with dementia taking part in research

• All NHS staff to undergo training in dementia to help improve care
• Training three million more Dementia Friends, to improve awareness and understanding of dementia
• Faster dementia assessments and improvements to support for people with dementia after diagnosis

The strategy follows the recent announcement of the ARUK £30m Drug Discovery Alliance, launching three flagship Drug Discovery Institutes, including one at UCL, led by Institute of Neurology researchers.

Further information:

• Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020 
• Government press release
• UCL Drug Discovery Institute
• Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre
  
• Dementia Friends
• Join Dementia Research website

Image: Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre