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Healthy brain ageing for all

The UK’s leading research institute transforming the lives of people affected by neurodegenerative conditions

Dementia: The greatest health challenge of our time

In our ageing society, dementia touches us all - one in two of us will encounter its challenges in our lifetime, whether supporting a loved one, facing it ourselves or both.

For people living with dementia and their families, the complexity of these brain conditions has meant years of waiting - but now, with new knowledge and scientific innovation, the UK Dementia Research Institute is opening doors to treatments that were once thought impossible.

1.4 million

people in the UK are projected to be living with dementia by 2040

Siddharthan chandran in the clinic with a patient

UK DRI Director Prof Siddharthan Chandran in clinic in Edinburgh

What is neurodegeneration?

Dementia is caused by a number of neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neuron disease. They are all characterised by the death of neurons in our brain and nervous system (i.e. neurodegeneration), but can cause a wide range of clinical symptoms such as loss of memory, slowness of movement, changes in behaviour and confusion. Find out more about each neurodegenerative condition in our public resources.

Abstract image of brain on blue pink gradient background

Research: transforming the lives of people affected by dementia

A scientist at a tissue culture hood in a lab

UK DRI researchers working on stem cells 
to gain greater insight into motor neuron disease

We're solving the most complex puzzle: how our brains work, why they sometimes go wrong, and what we can do about it.

Our mission is to:

  • Discover what causes dementia
  • Develop new tools, tests and treatments
  • Deliver solutions to maintain brain health in an ageing society

Find out more about our mission

1000+ scientists

driving research breakthroughs

8 centres

hosted across leading UK universities

1 national institute

with a single mission to discover, develop and deliver solutions

Funders

The UK DRI was established in 2017 by our principal funder the Medical Research Council, in partnership with Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Since then we have established a number of partnerships to drive the groundbreaking research taking place at the Institute, aiming to transform the lives of people affected by dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions.