A new round of research funding announced by the government will see more than £800 million allocated to drive diagnosis and treatment in a variety of priority areas, including dementia.
Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) welcomed the funding but said that dementia research was at a “tipping point”. David Thomas, ARUK’s head of policy, said the charity was concerned about a fall in the number of dementia trials in the UK and fewer people enrolling in them.
“There is huge potential in the UK to be at the cutting edge of clinical dementia research,” Thomas said. “To realise this potential, some of the funds should be invested in the creation of a network of high-performing clinical trial sites across the UK. The government must deliver on its promise to double dementia research funding to £160 million a year by 2024.”