Alzheimer’s Research UK Welcomes £45m Funding For Dementia Research

Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, has welcomed an announcement that dementia research projects across the UK will receive £45m from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The funding, announced by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt today, is part of an £816m investment in health research from the NIHR, and has been awarded to 20 centres of biomedical research across the country.

Dr Matthew Norton, Director of Policy and Strategy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“Alzheimer’s Research UK welcomes this investment, which should give a much-needed boost to UK dementia science. Research is making strides towards new treatments for dementia, preventions and improved diagnosis but continued investment is vital if we are to capitalise on this progress.

“As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK has an ambitious to plan to increase our own investment in research, from our work on drug discovery to our investment in the UK Dementia Research Institute. Dementia is arguably our greatest medical challenge, and one that charities cannot tackle alone, so government funding is crucial and we hope today’s announcement is a signal that dementia research remains a priority for public investment. It will be important to ensure that this funding is backed up with a robust plan to ensure the UK has a well-supported life sciences sector where dementia research can thrive.”