Scientists’ plea for help in dementia trials

Scientists are desperately reaching out to patients to take part in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease research

Trials for Alzheimer’s disease have almost doubled worldwide since 2013, sparking the call to action.

In the UK alone, 19 studies on potential treatments for the illness have put increased amount of pressure on researchers to recruit more participants.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh are asking for those suffering with dementia, or those suffering with early memory loss, to come forward and join Dementia Research. The service aims to pair volunteers with suitable clinical trials.

Professor Craig Ritchie, an expert in the psychiatry of ageing at Edinburgh University, believes that the best chance to understand diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s is to study the brain from the first moments of early memory loss.

“Dementia research is critically important, not least because of the huge number of people it affects. Although we have some drugs that manage some of the symptoms of dementia, we have a long way to go in terms of modifying the course of the disease,” he said.

“However, only by conducting high quality research will we be able to get conclusive evidence and move treatments forward. To do this research we’re relying on people who are experiencing the very earliest stages of memory problems to come forward and offer to take part.”

Wendy Mitchell, who is suffering from young onset dementia, has taken part in a clinical trial to regain her confidence, and provide essential support for the university.

“There currently is no cure and without willing volunteers to try out new drugs there will continue to be no cure. Taking part in research is my way of feeling useful again and contributing to finding that elusive treatment which in turn will create a better world for my children”, she said.

Around 850,000 people suffer from dementia in the UK, with some 40,000 diagnosed before the age of 65.

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