Alzheimer's Research UK has launched an online interactive website in a bid to dispel the belief that dementia is a natural part of ageing.

The Brain Tour website explains how the brain works and the effects of Alzheimer's and other causes of dementia has on it, along with the symptoms these diseases cause.

The organisation said that as "well as being a fun way to explore this most mysterious of organs", developers at the charity believe the new tour could help break down a common misunderstanding - that dementia is an inevitable part of ageing.

Alzheimer's Research UK hopes to show that dementia is caused by diseases that affect the brain in specific ways and has been endorsed by Professor Julie Williams.

She is a leading geneticist and chief scientific advisor to Alzheimer's Research UK. Her discovery of the first new genes associated with Alzheimer's was one of Time magazine's scientific discoveries of 2009.

Professor Williams, said: "The brain houses our memories, thoughts and emotions, as well as controlling everything from our movements to sleep. It's also vulnerable to diseases like Alzheimer's and forms of dementia.

"The new Brain Tour gives everyone a chance to explore the different parts of the brain, but also to learn about how it can be affected by dementia. The Tour also showcases some of Alzheimer's Research UK's work and how it can be used to defeat dementia.

"Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain, but these diseases can be beaten with enough good research. We don't need to accept that dementia is inevitable, and we must support the fantastic, world-leading scientists we have in the UK in their battle to understand how dementia changes our brain."

Visitors to the site can also tweet or link information to Facebook and set up donations to help fund Alzheimer's Research UK research.

Source: Alzheimer's Research UK