New investment unites Exeter and Plymouth researchers to defeat dementia

Alzheimer’s Research UK will support 15 Network Centres of scientific excellence across the UK, including a brand new Centre in the South West. The Universities of Exeter and Plymouth will receive a much-needed boost in investment, benefiting from £50,000 of new funding over two years alone. The investment is part of the charity’s £100m Defeat Dementia fundraising campaign, announced in June by the Prime Minister.

With calls from the G8 Dementia Summit in December for increased collaboration and joint working in dementia research, the Alzheimer’s Research UK Research Network brings together scientists from a variety of disciplines, across the United Kingdom. Teams of scientists who would not normally encounter each other are able to pool their knowledge in projects that span the length of the country. As Exeter and Plymouth have built strong reputations for excellence in dementia research, it has become essential to create a nexus for researchers in the region. The institutions will alternate leadership of the initiative on an annual basis.

Nearly 13,000 people in Exeter and Plymouth alone have dementia and the formation of a new Network in the area will strengthen research taking place to understand and find a cure for the condition. As the newest member of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Network, which was first established in 1998, funding for the South West Network Centre will provide brand new opportunities for scientists to share resources, attend scientific conferences and pursue innovative projects with small experimental grants.

Besides providing a focal point for researchers, the Network will also serve to help the local community understand the progress being made in dementia research. Every year, scientists from Exeter and Plymouth will host a free public meeting, an informal event for the public to hear about the latest research findings. These events will foster dialogue between researchers and those touched by the condition, which can provide scientists with new insights into dementia and inspire new approaches to research.

Dr Katie Lunnon, lecturer at the University of Exeter and administrator of the South West Research Network Centre, said: “The South West Network Centre will act as a hub for dementia researchers from different backgrounds, allowing us to learn from each other and share resources. The great benefit of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Research Network is that it allows scientists to place their findings in the wider context of dementia research, and draw on other people’s expertise to make the journey from interesting idea to patient benefit faster and easier.”

Dr Eric Karran, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We will not find a cure for dementia by working in isolation. Investment in our Research Network is essential to bring scientists together to share ideas and resources. Supporting grass-roots research is crucial to lay strong foundations for larger studies and we are pleased to be able to invest in people and ideas that could provide the breakthrough moments we are all desperate for.

"Alzheimer’s Research UK is leading the way in terms of investment in research, but it is also crucial that we foster collaborations – locally, nationally and internationally. The Research Network will unite researchers across the UK in tackling dementia from different angles, in order to meet our aim to defeat dementia sooner.”

Dr Oleg Anichtchik, researcher at Plymouth University and Co-ordinator of the South West Research Network Centre, said:“I speak on behalf of the research community in the South West when I say how happy we are to have been named as an Alzheimer’s Research UK Network Centre. Researchers in the area are focussing on so many different topics; from trying to better understand rarer forms of dementia such as dementia with Lewy bodies, to how subtle modifications to DNA can alter the progression of Alzheimer’s. We also have strong connections with clinicians working with dementia patients and will aim to strengthen these through the work of the Network.”

Liz Ayre, from Budleigh Salterton in East Devon, lost her husband Mike to early-onset Alzheimer’s last year. She said: "Mike was only 46 when he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2008 – it was a terrible shock for us and our two daughters. Although he was quite active at first he rapidly deteriorated. The clever, quiet man we knew needed help with most everyday things – he couldn’t button his shirts, he couldn’t clean his teeth and his behaviour became increasingly disturbing. It broke our hearts when he needed 24-hour care in a nursing home. We wanted to shout from the rooftops that more money is needed for research to find new treatments. I’m so delighted to hear more funding is being made available for Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research experts here in the South West.”

Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter, said: "I am delighted to see this investment in local dementia research. Researchers in my constituency are already working hard to tackle this condition that affects so many in the region; this new funding will only strengthen our collaborative efforts to find a cure for dementia."

Read a Q&A with Katie Lunnon on the Exeter Blog.

 For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org