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

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Date published: 
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
News source: 
Alzheimer’s Research Trust
Region: 
Scotland

Scotland’s top scientists are presenting their research on dementia to the public, 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. 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 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.” 

 

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