Dementia studies

Find out about some of the wide-ranging types of studies available via the Join Dementia Research service.

Face to face studies currently open

14 April 2022

After a period of many online studies, we are pleased to share that researchers are increasingly inviting participants to take part in face to face studies.  Here are some examples of studies currently looking for volunteers to take part in different parts of the UK: Sleep, gut health and cognition study Insomnia in later life […]

How can virtual reality help with early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease?

7 March 2022

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK and the symptoms develop gradually over many years. Background The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can progress slowly and many, such as getting more forgetful, can be attributed to ‘just getting older.’ This can make diagnosis more difficult and currently there is no single […]

Give your views on possible new Alzheimer’s treatments

15 February 2022

All medicines may have side effects for the people who take them. But if there was a new treatment to slow or stop Alzheimer’s, how would you weigh up its benefits against its potential risks? That’s what researchers are asking as part of a new project. One of our charity partners, Alzheimer’s Research UK, has […]

Can we predict Parkinson’s?

27 January 2022

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that leads to tremors, stiffness and difficulty with walking, as it can affect balance and coordination. Parkinson’s has more than 40 symptoms, both motor and non-motor, which usually begin gradually and get worse over time. Every hour, two more people are diagnosed. That’s the same as 18,000 people every […]

Researching the best way to improve well-being for dementia carers

12 January 2022

Many people who are living with dementia are cared for at home by a family member or a friend. We know that unpaid caring can be stressful and impact both mental and physical health, so what can be done to help? Aim of the study Researchers from Bangor University with funding from the National Institute […]

Developing strategies for a good night’s sleep

2 December 2021

Many people living with dementia have sleep difficulties which can be troublesome for the person affected, their families and carers. Problems can include reduced and or disturbed sleep, nighttime awakening, wandering and excessive napping during the day. There are currently no effective treatments to help. Aim of the study Researchers from University College London (UCL) […]

Developing scan technology for more accurate data about Alzheimer’s disease

4 November 2021

Patient lying down for a PET scan

Although Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in the UK, the exact cause is not yet fully understood. With the exception of Aducanumab – which was recently approved for use in the U.S – most current treatments offer partial improvement in symptoms rather than helping to slow down the progression of the […]

Lewy body dementia studies currently recruiting participants

29 October 2021

October marks Lewy body dementia awareness month. The condition – sometimes called dementia with Lewy bodies – is one of the most common forms of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, yet surprisingly little is known about it. When someone develops this type of dementia, protein deposits called Lewy bodies develop in the brain […]

Online studies open!

24 August 2021

Did you know that many of the studies on Join Dementia Research are open to anyone over 18 without a dementia diagnosis? These tend to be online studies, which can be done at home, at a time to suit you. Because these studies are keen to attract a large number of people they run for […]

RadioMe

16 August 2021

The beneficial aspects of listening to music such as calming anxiety, reducing stress and inducing a relaxing effect, are being tested in a new study for people living with dementia. The context As well as experiencing cognitive decline, people with dementia often also suffer from ‘neuropsychiatric symptoms’ such as depression, irritability, anxiety and hallucinations. In […]