£1.5 M For Dementia Research Launched

New £1.5 M For Dementia Research Launched By Alzheimer’s Society And The Bupa Foundation

Alzheimer’s Society and the Bupa Foundation today announce the launch of a ground-breaking partnership to boost research into dementia and its causes.

The two charities are together launching a £1.5million fund to support research into an issue that is affecting more and more people in the UK and internationally.

Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, deputy chairman of the Bupa Foundation said:

“Dementia is a cruel condition which robs people of their memories - and in future more and more people will be living with the condition or be affected by it. £1.5m will make a real difference and help advance our knowledge of dementia.”

The new fund aims to encourage partnership and collaboration between institutions to maximize expert involvement and to share knowledge and best practice. Researchers can apply for grants ranging from £100,000 to £750,000 and the fund is also open to applications from researchers in Australia, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Thailand, as well as the UK.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society said:

“Dementia research is seriously under-funded. Much more needs to be invested if we are to see the same advancements in dementia care and treatment as we have seen for cancer. By delaying the onset of dementia by just five years we could halve the number of deaths from the condition, saving 30,000 lives a year, but without progress in research the economic cost of the disease is likely to rise to £27 billion by 2018.”

This research fund between Alzheimer’s Society and the Bupa Foundation charity coincides with a series of joint initiatives involving Alzheimer’s Society and Bupa. Alzheimer’s Society has been named the nominated charity for the Bupa Great Runs series – which includes the world’s largest half marathon, the Bupa Great North Run. Alzheimer’s Society and Bupa have also worked together to create the pioneering Dementia Champions programme for Bupa’s specialist dementia care homes.

Alzheimer’s Society currently invests more than £1.6 million a year in dementia research and has funded over 100 research projects in leading scientific institutions across the UK.

Since being established in 1979 The Bupa Foundation - an independent medical research charity to fund research to prevent, relieve and cure sickness and ill health - has donated around £26 million, the vast majority of which has gone to medical research teams in the public sector. Â

The closing date for applications is 28 February 2010. Grants would be awarded in line with guidelines issued by the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC).Â

For details on how to apply go to: www.bupafoundation.co.uk or www.alzheimers.org.uk/research

More information on the £1.5m fund:

The topics that may be considered for funding in the areas of cause, cure, care and prevention include:

• Epidemiology of all forms of dementia
• The causes of dementia and mechanism of disease progression
• The causal relationship between genetics and lifestyle factors predisposing people to dementia
• Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dementia
• Slowing the progress of dementia
• Developing (non-embryonic) stem cell therapies with translational benefits for people with dementia
• Evidence for dietary supplements or complementary therapies as an alternative to drugs
• Improving Quality of life for people with dementia in their own homes or care homes
• How to best train staff in all health sectors, at all levels, in communicating with, understanding the needs of, and caring for people with dementia
• Management of anxiety, agitation and other behavioral symptoms, without the use of antipsychotic drugs
• The impact of acute hospitalization of people with dementia
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• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer’s disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.
• Alzheimer’s Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them. Alzheimer’s Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting www.alzheimers.org.ukÂ
• Alzheimer’s Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk

Bupa Foundation
The Bupa Foundation is an independent charitable organisation that funds medical research into the prevention, relief and cure of sickness and ill health. Since 1979 The Bupa Foundation has awarded grants in excess of £26 million to medical research and healthcare initiatives across a range of disciplines from surgery to occupational health. Further information on the Bupa Foundation is available at www.bupafoundation.co.uk

On average Bupa donates £2.5 million to the Bupa Foundation every year. The vast majority of grants in the UK go to medical research teams in NHS hospitals.

The Bupa Foundation Awards are made annually to recognise excellence in medical research and healthcare. The seven categories are – patient safety, clinical excellence, communication, epidemiology, medical research, health at work and care. Award winners receive a cheque for £15,000.Â

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