A Bath-based charity has been awarded £200,000 in funding from philanthropist John Osborn CBE to help with ongoing research into dementia.
Photo © ReMind UK
ReMind UK, which is also a Research Institute for Brain Health, will invest the money over two years in new roles and infrastructure to expand its capabilities.
Last year saw a 55% growth in ReMind UK’s research studies and non-drug related trials work, with the charity running eight clinical trials and four academic studies. Five major new clinical trials are starting this year.
To support their growing research activity, ReMind UK is calling for more local people, with or without dementia, to become research volunteers to aid the search for new treatments for devastating dementia illnesses, like Alzheimer’s Disease.
In 2024 the number of people registered or taking part in research at ReMind UK increased by 11% and healthy volunteer numbers were up 245% on the previous annual average, enabling the charity to support five new research studies with Healthy Brain volunteers.
To help ReMind UK develop its search for dementia treatments, local people can get involved either as a Healthy Brain volunteer if they don’t have a dementia diagnosis or by joining their Dementia Research Register to receive information on research or clinical trials for people in the earlier stages of dementia
ReMind UK is an example of an independent charity combining research into neurodegenerative diseases with clinical practice in their memory clinic since 1987.
As well as research into drugs-based treatments, the charity collaborates on studies looking at the management of neurodegenerative disorders and interventions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dental health and optimised drug management in settings such as care homes and hospices to help understand what keeps people living well for longer.
John Osborn CBE said: “I am always attracted to projects that will make a real difference and where I am impressed by the calibre of the people running them.
“I was impressed when I met ReMind UK’s research team recently and have set up a research fund of £200,000 over two years to enable them to expand their vital research into treatments for conditions causing dementia and how to live well for longer.
“The research work of ReMind UK is more important than ever, for today, and for the future, and I simply had to be a part of it.”
Dr Tom Welsh, Research and Medical Director at ReMind UK, said: “It is an exciting time for dementia research. 2024 saw the initial generation of the first drugs licensed in fifteen years for Alzheimer’s Disease with the second and third generation coming through the pipeline.
“It’s a good indicator we’re on the right track, and we will have better efficacy and safety of these drugs coming through from now on.
“ReMind UK continue to be at the forefront of this work to get ahead of dementia and change the lives of thousands of people across the world.”
Melissa Hillier, Chief Executive Officer for ReMind UK, said: “Our team aim to offer the chance to be involved in research to everyone diagnosed with a dementia causing condition at our memory clinic.
“Research into conditions of older age is woefully under-funded, in comparison to heart disease and cancers, and to measure the efficacy of our treatments we need more specialists and more research participants.
“Over 1.1 million people in the UK are predicted to have dementia in the next five years and currently there is no cure, by getting involved in our research or clinical trials you can play your part in building a better future for local families impacted by dementia.”
ReMind UK specialises in research into neurodegenerative diseases particularly early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, the cause of over 60% of dementias, and other causes of dementia.
The charity aims to offer PHD fellowships and training pathways for more researchers into diseases causing dementia when more funding is available.
To join ReMind UK’s Dementia Research Register or become a Healthy Brain volunteer, email their Research Manager [email protected] or visit this page.
