Dementia Uncovered
Dementia affects millions of us around the world. But many people don’t know that it’s caused by physical brain diseases.
We’ve teamed up with Ricoh to lift the lid on those diseases. Watch the real-life stories of people with very different forms of dementia and researchers working toward a cure.
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Frontotemporal dementia
'There’s a cure in sight'
Most people believe dementia only affects older people, but frontotemporal dementia is different. Many of Prof James Rowe’s patients are younger, with symptoms including changing personality and behaviour, or declining language skills. He explains the difference research could make for people with the disease.
Urvashi’s story: living with frontotemporal dementia
Urvashi was almost relieved to learn that her husband’s strange behaviour was not his fault, but caused by a disease. Frontotemporal dementia has turned their lives upside down. But despite the disease, Urvashi says her husband Bhupendra is still the man she fell in love with.
'There’s a cure in sight'
Most people believe dementia only affects older people, but frontotemporal dementia is different. Many of Prof James Rowe’s patients are younger, with symptoms including changing personality and behaviour, or declining language skills. He explains the difference research could make for people with the disease.
Urvashi’s story: living with frontotemporal dementia
Urvashi was almost relieved to learn that her husband’s strange behaviour was not his fault, but caused by a disease. Frontotemporal dementia has turned their lives upside down. But despite the disease, Urvashi says her husband Bhupendra is still the man she fell in love with.
Alzheimer's disease
'Research has the potential to affect millions of people’
For Dr Ashwin Venkataraman, the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s is personal. He’s seen the disease up close, in his family and his patients, and current treatments just aren’t good enough. But he believes research can change the lives of future generations.
Hat’s story: living with Alzheimer’s disease
When Hat’s mum Laura started behaving differently, her family put it down to depression. But as her symptoms got worse, Laura was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy – a rare form of Alzheimer’s. Hat explains how the disease has impacted the whole family.
'Research has the potential to affect millions of people’
For Dr Ashwin Venkataraman, the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s is personal. He’s seen the disease up close, in his family and his patients, and current treatments just aren’t good enough. But he believes research can change the lives of future generations.
Hat’s story: living with Alzheimer’s disease
When Hat’s mum Laura started behaving differently, her family put it down to depression. But as her symptoms got worse, Laura was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy – a rare form of Alzheimer’s. Hat explains how the disease has impacted the whole family.
Dementia with Lewy bodies
‘Our volunteers are at the cutting edge of science’
Right now, Dr Jay Amin has few treatments to offer his patients who have dementia with Lewy bodies. But he can offer the chance to take part in trials of new treatments. And he’s convinced that with the right investment, research can find a cure for the disease.
Themiya’s story: living with dementia with Lewy bodies
Themiya’s father Gunasena was always very independent, so it worried her when he began to experience hallucinations and falls. His symptoms are the result of dementia with Lewy bodies, and with no cure, she knows they’ll keep getting worse. Now more than ever, family is essential.
‘Our volunteers are at the cutting edge of science’
Right now, Dr Jay Amin has few treatments to offer his patients who have dementia with Lewy bodies. But he can offer the chance to take part in trials of new treatments. And he’s convinced that with the right investment, research can find a cure for the disease.
Themiya’s story: living with dementia with Lewy bodies
Themiya’s father Gunasena was always very independent, so it worried her when he began to experience hallucinations and falls. His symptoms are the result of dementia with Lewy bodies, and with no cure, she knows they’ll keep getting worse. Now more than ever, family is essential.
Vascular dementia
‘As a researcher, I’ve seen enormous progress’
Prof Michael Hornberger has always been curious about how our brains work. While we don’t yet know enough about vascular dementia, today we understand far more about what’s happening in the brain. And that understanding will one day help us treat or even prevent the disease.
Olive’s story: living with vascular dementia
When Olive was told she had vascular dementia, like many people, she didn’t know what that meant. But she knew it was affecting her ability to find the right words, and that people struggled to understand why. She and her husband Ronnie reflect on what the future might hold.
‘As a researcher, I’ve seen enormous progress’
Prof Michael Hornberger has always been curious about how our brains work. While we don’t yet know enough about vascular dementia, today we understand far more about what’s happening in the brain. And that understanding will one day help us treat or even prevent the disease.
Olive’s story: living with vascular dementia
When Olive was told she had vascular dementia, like many people, she didn’t know what that meant. But she knew it was affecting her ability to find the right words, and that people struggled to understand why. She and her husband Ronnie reflect on what the future might hold.
Behind Dementia Uncovered
Go behind the scenes to see what inspired the campaign.
About the campaign
Find out why Ricoh and Alzheimer’s Research UK are working to change perceptions of dementia. Our blog explains how we’ve expanded on our original Dementia Uncovered campaign, to deepen understanding about the diseases that cause dementia.
Simon Pegg uncovers dementia
See how Alzheimer’s affects the brain in our original film.
Alzheimer's Research UK is a registered charity, numbers 1077089 and SC042474.
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