Newcastle University Faculty of Medical Sciences

‘The bottom line is we will enhance and speed our development of new treatments, and our ability to give them to people living with dementia. Alzheimer’s Society is collaborating with the UK Dementia Trials Network (UKDTN) to establish a national team of dedicated Dementia Research Nurses. We urgently need new ways to diagnose and treat dementia, and the only way we can do that is by testing new drugs and treatments through clinical trials. But progress is being held back by the limited number of clinical trials running in the UK, and the lack of opportunities for people with dementia to take part in them. Right now, it can be hard for people living with dementia to access or even find out about clinical trials in the UK – even though the majority of people told us they want to hear about research opportunities. That’s why we’re investing £3 million into the three-year Dementia Research Nurse pilot programme, and today we’re thrilled to share that our first nurses are in post. Our Dementia Research Nurses will be allies for people living with dementia, guiding them through their research journey so everyone can benefit from research breakthroughs, and no-one is left behind. Prof Cath Mummery, Professor of Neurology at UCL and Director of the UK Dementia Trials Network, shares more about the programme and why it’s vital that anyone who wants to take part in research can do.