2 June 2008

Dundee scientists explain dementia, as poll reveals half of all Scots affected

Scotland’s top scientists are presenting their research on dementia to the public on Tuesday evening, as an Alzheimer’s Research Trust poll reveals that almost half of all Scots are touched by the disease.

The scientists are delivering a series of public lectures about how dementia is being tackled in Scotland at the University of Dundee’s Ninewells Medical School about their efforts to tackle Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The lectures take place between 6.30 and 8.30pm at Lecture Theatre 1, Ninewells Medical School, Dundee on Tuesday 3rd June.

The evening includes talks from Dr Marie Janson of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, Dr Calum Sutherland of the University of Dundee’s Division of Pathology and Neurosciences, Dr Gary Cousland, a consultant psychiatrist from Perth’s Murray Royal Hospital, and Dr Norman Alm of the University of Dundee’s School of Computing.

The lecture series is happening just as a YouGov poll, commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, has found that 47% of all Scots - 2.4 million people - know a close friend, family member or someone else with dementia.

65,000 people in Scotland - and 2,000 in Dundee alone - have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, a figure set to double within a generation.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: "This new poll demonstrates the extent of the dementia crisis in Scotland. These lectures in Dundee will show members of the public how Scottish scientists are fighting back as we seek new treatments, preventions and a possible cure for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Unfortunately dementia research is hindered by lack of funds. Only £11 is spent on UK research into Alzheimer's for every person affected by the disease, compared with £289 for cancer patients."

Dr Calum Sutherland, a research scientist at the University of Dundee, said: "These lectures provide an important opportunity to engage with the public, and help a wider audience understand what Alzheimer’s is and how we are trying to fight it. As the Alzheimer’s Research Trust’s latest poll shows, nearly half of us are touched in some way by dementia. Unfortunately cutting-edge medical research is very expensive and in order to tackle this epidemic we urgently need more balanced funding between the major health problems of our society."

For further information or to speak to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust’s Chief Executive Rebecca Wood, please contact the charity’s Press and Public Affairs Officer Andrew Scheuber on 01223 843304 or email press@alzheimers-research.org.uk.

Notes to editors

• The Alzheimer's Research Trust provides free information on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: phone 01223 843899 or visit www.alzheimers-research.org.uk. The charity is the UK’s leading research charity for dementia and relies solely on public donations to fund its research.
• Earlier this year, Terry Pratchett donated $1 million (£500,000) to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust.
• YouGov/ART Survey Results - 2078 people were polled across the UK on 19th April-1st May 2008. 35% of Scottish respondents know a family member, 2% a close friend, and 10% someone else close to them with dementia. Results were weighted to be nationally representative
• There are currently over 700,000 people with Alzheimer’s in the UK, a number predicted to double within a generation.
• Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for around two thirds of dementia in the elderly. There is not yet a cure.

Andrew Scheuber
Press and Public Affairs Officer
Alzheimer's Research Trust, the UK's leading research charity for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Registered charity no. 1077089
The Stables, Station Road, Gt Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5LR
Switchboard: 01223 843899 Press office: 01223 843304 Fax: 01223 843325
Mobile: 07748 272171
http://www.alzheimers-research.org.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk