New public-private dementia research project launched

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has announced the launch of a major new scientific study programme called the UK Dementias Research Platform (UKDP).

Aimed at accelerating research into different forms of dementia, the public-private partnership is worth 16 million pounds and will enable earlier detection, improved treatment and ultimately possible prevention of the disease.

A key objective of the project will be to look at what is happening in the brain in the context of the whole body, via the study of medical and lifestyle data from two million volunteers aged 50 and over.

Partners include private firms such as MedImmune, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen and SomaLogic, while academic institutes such as the Universities of Cardiff, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Oxford and Swansea will also be involved.

Dr John Gallacher from Cardiff University and director of the UKDP said: "By looking at the links between development of the disease and other factors – such as diet or illness – we hope to unearth targets for new drugs or new uses for existing drugs."

Currently, dementia affects about 800,000 people in the UK, but this is expected to rise as the population ages.