Research
Dementia information
Alzheimer’s Research UK has funded over £15.1 million of research to revolutionise our understanding of different types of frontotemporal dementia, including those linked to PPA, and so paving the way towards a cure.
In this section:
Research is the only way we’ll find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat dementia and scientists need your help.
Without people volunteering to take part in research, finding a cure would be impossible.
People with dementia, their carers, and people without dementia are all needed to take part.
Anyone over the age of 18 can register to Join Dementia Research, which is run by the NHS. This will match you to research studies you are suitable for. Then you get to choose which ones to take part in.
People have many different reasons for wanting to volunteer for dementia research, and it’s their support that will drive forward our progress and change the lives of everyone affected by dementia.
I’m proud that despite everything my mum has been through, she has made a huge contribution to dementia research by volunteering for research studies. Through brain scans, psychometric tests and interviews, she's enabled researchers to understand more about dementia, in the hope of helping to protect future generations. Now more than ever we need to continue our research efforts to get closer to a cure for dementia so that people don't have to experience what my mum has.
- Will, whose mum is living with PPA
Watch our video following Professor James Rowe and his work researching frontotemporal dementia.
Our research
As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, we are working to revolutionise the way we treat, diagnose and prevent dementia. And then, we will find a way to cure it.
With generous support and donations from people across the UK, we are able to fund the important research being led by scientists here and across the world. And we know this can get us closer to a cure.
So far, we’ve invested over £176 million in the best research powering the most forward-thinking scientists and joining forces with world-class organisations. This includes over £5 million of research into different types of frontotemporal dementia, including those linked to PPA.
With your support, we promise we will not stop until dementia can no longer destroy lives.
We are Alzheimer’s Research UK.
We exist for a cure.
Research projects
Treating hearing loss in people at a high risk of dementia
Researchers at the University College London are developing a pilot trial to ensure people with hearing loss and mild cognitive dementia start and continue to use hearing aids. They will follow-up to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing the risk of dementia.
Looking into head injury and dementia
Research at Imperial College London is exploring the link between head injury and dementia
Can we reduce the risk of dementia in the over 75’s?
Researchers at the University of Cambridge are exploring an whether an internet based intervention could encourage healthy lifestyle changes in people aged over 75, who are at a higher risk of developing dementia.
Can we predict the development of Alzheimer’s?
Researchers at King’s College hospital are investigating a new way to look at the brain that could potentially predict the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Read about volunteer experiences of taking part in research
Find out more about taking part in research
Downloads
Dementia information
Read more about treatments for dementia, including information on treating depression, anxiety and agitation and for information on antipsychotics.
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PDF, 1.16 MB, 13 pages
Find out more
You can find out more about current diagnosis and treatments for each type of dementia on the following pages:
Order health information
Alzheimer's Research UK has a wide range of information about dementia. Order booklets or download them from our online form.
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This information was updated in April 2025 and is due to be reviewed in April 2027. It was written by Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you’d like a version with references or in a different format.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
