Calls for government to prioritise dementia research as diagnosis set to double by 2050

Alzheimer's Research UK and Dementia UK are calling on the government to prioritise dementia research, in the wake of a new report revealing the number of people with the condition in the UK and across Europe will double by 2050.

According to the report, the number of people with dementia in the UK is set to rise to nearly two million by 2050, while in Europe the number is expected to rise to over 16 million.

Following the Conservatives’ 2019 election pledge to double dementia research funding, Alzheimer’s Research UK launched its Delivering the Dementia Moonshot report, outlining six priority areas for the UK government’s research funding.

These priorities are:

• To find ways to detect the diseases that cause dementia 10-15 years earlier and to broaden the search for new treatments.

• Intervene with those most at risk of developing dementia.

• Make the UK the best place to conduct clinical dementia research.

• Further our understanding of dementia risk reduction and prevention and dementia in the context of multimorbidities.

• Find ways to more effectively validate novel targets in early drug development to maximise chances of successful clinical trials

• Expand research infrastructure to maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in dementia research.

’It’s vital that cross-border research across Europe continues to receive vital support’

Samantha Benham-Hermetz, director of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “These startling figures emphasise the looming global health crisis of dementia, but sadly they come as no surprise.

"If we are unable to find ways to prevent or treat the diseases that cause dementia, one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetimes. We must act now, and invest more than ever before in dementia research, to stop these projections from becoming a reality.

"But we cannot find life-changing treatments for dementia alone, this must be a global effort. Now that the UK has formally left the EU, it’s vital that cross-border research across Europe continues to receive vital support."

Alzheimer's Research UK's report states the economic impact of dementia to our society each year is £26 billion with over 80 per cent of the cost carried by social and informal care.

Funding of Admiral Nurses ‘should be a significant part of any long-term sustainable solution for social care’

“It is essential that the government makes dementia a priority and at a minimum, doubles its annual investment in research – as promised by the Conservatives during the 2019 election,” said Ms Benham-Hermetz.

Paul Edwards, director of clinical services at Dementia UK, added: “Whilst the risk of dementia increasing with age has been documented, this large-scale report on the growing incidences of the condition in the UK’s ageing population is a wake-up call for our government to act now.

“After all, it is not just the person diagnosed who is affected but wider family and friends too. The condition can be uniquely challenging on so many emotional and practical levels.

“This is why everyone living with dementia should have access to dementia specialist Admiral Nurses who can provide personalised community support. It’s this support which should be a significant part of any long-term sustainable funding solution for social care.”

To read Delivering the Dementia Moonshot report click here

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