UCL takes the lead with £8.5m funding for dementia research

UCL has been awarded more than £8.5 million by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to help tackle the challenges associated with dementia. The investment was announced at today's G8 dementia summit and represents a significant proportion of the total £20 million funding awarded by the two organisations for research into dementia prevention and improvements in the quality of life for people with dementia. There are currently 44 million people in the world living with dementia and by 2050 this number is set to treble to 135 million. Last year Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to tackle the 'national crisis' posed by dementia and this week ministers, researchers, pharmaceutical companies and charities are gathering in London for the G8 dementia summit. It is imperative to develop an understanding of the needs of those with dementia, their families and the communities they live in. Paul Boyle, ESRC Chief Executive The summit aims to develop co-ordinated global action on dementia, stimulating greater investment and innovation in dementia research. "Dementia is a major challenge for our society," says ESRC Chief Executive Paul Boyle.