Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
20 June 2014 09:23
Scientists have announced a new large-scale study into dementia
The health details of around two million UK volunteers are to be used in the biggest ever research effort into dementia.
The Medical Research Council's £16 million UK Dementias Research Platform (UKDP) will involve the latest genetic, brain imaging and cognitive knowledge and health and lifestyle information from people older than 50 from studies such as the UK Biobank.
Backed by industry and Government money, the research will see scientists examining the causes of dementia across Alzheimer's and other conditions.
They want to find out the types of people the conditions affect the most and learn more about what causes them in the first place, as well as better understanding the biomarkers and what speeds up and slows down the processes.
UKDP director and University of Cardiff scientist Dr John Gallacher said changes in the body other than in the brain are known to trigger and affect dementia and this can happen a long time before people are diagnosed with it.
He said infected and inflamed organs can have an impact on the condition and the key to knowing more about this is studying people who do not have it, those considered likely to contract it and those who have it already.
Dr Gallacher intends to examine the effects numerous factors have on dementia, such as other illnesses and what people eat. The ultimate goal is to use the information to find new ways or use drugs that already exist to treat it.
UKDP and six big companies have agreed to pool their information and resources on dementia in the biggest body of research into the condition to date.
Science Minister David Willetts says by collaborating in this way they are doubling the amount of money that has been spent on researching dementia in recent years and provides an example of the high quality life science work that is going on in the UK.
People suffering from Alzheimer's can secure comprehensive Alzheimer's travel insurance before travelling abroad.
22 September 2017
A new computer code that can be applied to GP surgery data could be the answer to identifying those most at risk of developing bowel cancer.
[more...]
21 September 2017
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over a growing resistance to antibiotics.
20 September 2017
Thousands of Ryanair flights have been cancelled over the next six weeks, as the airline says it "messed up" allocation of its pilots' annual leave.
19 September 2017
Manchester's Girlguides are being urged to help the elderly with a new badge incentivising youngsters to tackle senior loneliness.
16 September 2017
Holidaymakers are being evacuated as winds up to 200km per hour hit Central Vietnam, with Typhoon Doksuri damaging houses, roads and infrastructure.
15 September 2017
People in parts of East Anglia are eight times more likely to survive liver disease than Blackpool residents, according to new data by Public Health England (PHE).
14 September 2017
A non-invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery that helps people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight is being recommended for widespread use by NHS experts.
13 September 2017
Almost half of UK adults travelling to areas at risk of malaria are not covering themselves by taking medication, despite recommendations made by the NHS and world health organisations.
12 September 2017
A new health warning has been issued by scientists in Sweden, suggesting e-cigarettes with nicotine could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
09 September 2017
Researchers have developed a futuristic pen-like device that can tell whether someone has cancer much faster than current technology.
08 September 2017
A staffing crisis in the NHS is seeing cancer patients turned away from their GP surgery and instead visiting A&E, a report has claimed.
07 September 2017
Whether it's binge-watching box-sets, shopping for clothes, chatting to friends or picking up work emails, staying connected is pretty much essential to everyday life.