A new centre of excellence for research into dementia has been launched at the University. The Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre was opened by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The Centre, launched on World Alzheimer’s Day, has been funded by a six-figure grant from Alzheimer Scotland. It is based within the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Languages Sciences. A high quality research environment The facility will provide a high-quality research environment for investigations into dementia. It will commission and build a balanced portfolio of scientific and clinical research and develop and maintain a brain tissue bank. There could be no more fitting way to mark World Alzheimer’s Day than opening this impressive new Dementia Research Centre which will aim to help improve the treatment available to people living with the illness and our knowledge of the causes of dementia and its risk factors.This new Centre of excellence in dementia research will play a significant part in contributing to our knowledge of the illness and the standard of dementia care provided. Nicola SturgeonDeputy First Minister There are over 82,000 people with dementia in Scotland and that figure is set to double within a generation. Dementia is one of the biggest health and social care problems that Scotland faces. There are currently very few drugs available to people with dementia and not everyone benefits from them. It is vital that we invest in clinical and scientific research, to help people live well with the illness and ultimately to work towards prevention or a cure.We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with the University on the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre. This would not have been possible without the generosity of the Scottish public, whose donations have allowed us to create this Centre. We want the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre to link in with Scotland’s growing dementia research community. This community is already producing fantastic work, but more needs to be done if we are to tackle the dementia challenge that Scotland faces. Henry SimmonsChief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland Professor John Starr, Co-Director of the University’s Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, is to lead the new centre. Related links Alzheimer Scotland School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences Publication date 15 Oct, 2015
