Research news

Semaglutide does not slow Alzheimer’s, despite initial hopes that it might help against dementia, new research has shown.  What were the results? Researchers carried out 2 large trials involving more than 3,800 people. Previous research suggested the drug, which is the active ingredient for the weight loss jab Wegovy, could delay the progression of clinical […]

New research has found why living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood may increase the risk of dementia. Researchers from the University of Cambridge have found a link between living in a deprived area and damage in the brain’s blood vessels. Poor lifestyle factors also increased the risk. People in these areas experience worse memory and thinking […]

A new study into using blood tests to transform Alzheimer’s diagnosis is welcoming its first participants. The ADAPT (Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Plasma pTau217) study is investigating whether a blood test can improve the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. It is being led by Professor Jonathan Schott and Dr Ashvini Keshavan at University […]

An online toolkit designed to improve crisis support for people with dementia has been welcomed by healthcare staff. However, new research has found that it did not lead to a reduction in psychiatric hospital admissions. The AQUEDUCT programme aimed to support Teams Managing Crisis in Dementia (TMCDs) through a new toolkit. TMCDs are community-based healthcare […]

A recent study involving people from the Join Dementia Research community has looked at the topic of sleep in dementia. Sleep disturbances are a common and distressing issue for people with dementia and their families. These disturbances can make the symptoms of dementia worse. They can also negatively affect the quality of life for both […]

Last week it was announced that the dementia drug, donanemab, has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This means it will be available under private prescription in the UK. However, it has been rejected by National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), so it will not be available on […]

News of the approval of the new Alzheimer’s drug has hit the headlines this week. Lecanemab has been approved by the MHRA, the UK’s regulator, but has been rejected by NICE so it will not be available on the NHS. Lecanemab is part of a new class of drugs that is emerging. It slows the […]

With social media platforms offering an easy way of finding out what is happening locally, it is easy to see the appeal for people living with dementia.  In order for these platforms to be even more effective, new research supported by Join Dementia Research highlights the need for social media guidance specifically for carers of […]

People with Down’s syndrome have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This is because most people with Down’s syndrome will have clumps of amyloid and tau proteins in their brains by the age of 40 – these are believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease. Two thirds of people with Down’s syndrome develop Alzheimer’s by the […]

Dementia Action Week took place from between 15 to 21 May this year and focused on getting an earlier diagnosis. Throughout the week, Join Dementia Research celebrated patients, members of the public, healthcare professionals and researchers involved in research. Here’s some of our highlights from this year’s campaign – a selection of videos and written […]