Alzheimer's Research UK

Research FAQs

1. Do you fund research using animals?
2. Do you fund research using stem cells?

1. Do you fund research using animals?

About animal research

To develop new treatments their effects need to be seen in a whole living system. Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to test the effects of new drugs in a test tube or on a computer, because we can’t see effects on the brain, or for example, memory.

Research using animals has produced some of the most important findings to date and made real progress in the fight against dementia. The current dementia treatments are available because of animal research. The most common animals that are used in dementia research are fruit flies and rodents.

Our policy

We support research using animals where necessary. Experiments that involve animals are an important part of medical research. Animals are only used when there is absolutely no alternative, and their use is strictly regulated by the Home Office.

We fund research that offers the greatest hope in defeating dementia. Find out more about how we award money for research. We are a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities. More information on animals in research can be found on its website.

How can I support dementia research, but not projects that use animals?

We can restrict any donation to non-animal research projects on request. You simply need to let us know when making a donation.

2. Do you fund research using stem cells?

About stem cells

Stem cells are specialised cells in our bodies. They can grow into any other type of cell. A stem cell can become a blood, bone or brain cell. This unique ability makes them useful for research. There are no treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias that use stem cells, but scientists can

• Turn stem cells into nerve cells.
• Use these to study brain cells, and the effects of Alzheimer’s, in the lab.

Stem cells come from two sources

• Adults. Stem cells can be collected from a small skin biopsy.
• Embryos. Stem cells can be collected from embryos after abortions or embryos leftover from IVF treatments.

All UK research involving stem cells from embryos is strictly regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

Our Policy

We support research using stem cells. This is because they could help us understand Alzheimer’s and other dementias. They could also aid in the development of new treatments.

We fund research that offers the greatest hope in defeating dementia. Find out more about how we award money for research. We are currently supporting 6 projects, out of 125, that use stem cells.

How can I support dementia research, but not projects that use stem cells?

We can restrict any donation to non-stem cell research projects. You simply need to let us know when making a donation.