More research is being done than ever before, and we already understand a lot more about dementia than we used to. Some people who are living with dementia help with this, by taking part in research projects.
Sometimes the media reports on research that is still at a very early stage. Promising results in the laboratory are always good news, but it can take a long time to turn them into a treatment that can be used to help people.
At the moment, there is no way to halt or reverse the brain changes that cause dementia. It’s hard to know exactly when there will be new treatments for the different types of dementia, but research is already helping doctors to find the best ways to care for people with dementia.
Research has also helped to develop medicines that can relieve some of the symptoms that people with dementia experience’, such as depression. There are also medicines that may help to keep a person’s symptoms stable for longer. Everyone is different, but for some people these medicines can make a real difference.
This information was updated in November 2019 and is due for review in November 2021. Please contact us if you would like a version with references.
