Dementia Translational Research Collaboration
Summary
The NIHR Dementia Translational Research Collaboration (Dementia TRC) comprises a group of research active dementia themes within the national network of NIHR Biomedical Research Centres, along with CRFs and members of the devolved nations.
We work with industry, academics and partners with research programmes aimed at accelerating the translation of discoveries into clinical practice and improve the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.
Our ready-formed Dementia TRC provides streamlined access to networks of internationally recognised investigators in the UK's leading centres of excellence.
With world-leading dementia expertise in experimental medicine and with access to state-of-the-art techniques and facilities, the Dementia TRC offers opportunities over and above its individual parts.
Collectively, we can provide significant opportunities to expand research capability and capacity, as well as offer a unique vehicle to enable collaboration and knowledge sharing with industry and the charity sector.
With our support, you can also gain access to patient and public cohorts from multiple sites across the UK, whether it's for involvement in your research and project development or to obtain their input into your study design.
We’re open to collaborate with academics and any life sciences company, including pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies, as well as other funders and charities, to carry out experimental medicine investigations in dementia and related diseases. We will consider fully-funded projects as well as projects that will look for third party funding.
Our expertise and capabilities
Our centres host world-class expertise and capabilities, and focus on:
- improving, aligning and streamlining imaging (including MRI and PET) techniques and processes
- developing novel biomarkers to facilitate early and more effective diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases
- discovery, development and delivery of innovative disease-modifying therapies, which include those discovered through the longitudinal study of genetically at-risk cohorts
- investigating novel technologies and devices, including in the wearables space, as tools for diagnosing, monitoring and treatment
- extrapolation of discoveries in young-onset dementia to older patient groups
- detection, prevention and treatment of protein misfolding and aggregation in dementia
We also want to develop the skills of researchers in the field of dementia and enhance the reputation of the dementia research landscape in the UK.
Our specialties include, but are not limited to:
- late-onset dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease and Lewy body dementia
- young-onset dementias
- frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease
- Parkinson’s disease, including progression to dementia
- neuroinflammation
- Huntington’s disease
We regularly review areas of unmet need to determine emerging topics of focus for the group.
Who we are
The NIHR Dementia TRC is part of the UK government’s response to the growing challenge of dementia.
The TRC comprises 8 NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) with dementia-related research themes and 3 Clinical Research Facilities (CRFs). These BRCs and CRFs are world-leaders in dementia translational research, based within top NHS-university partnerships.
Each centre is represented by an academic lead who acts as an advocate for the collaboration, provides scientific input into study design, and identifies and supports collaborative and business development activities.
The breadth of expertise in dementia in the UK
The map shows the locations of the dementia centres based across the UK (listed below) which are part of this TRC.
Our academic leads and centres
- NIHR UCLH BRC
Dr Catherine Mummery Chair - NIHR Newcastle BRC
Professor John-Paul Taylor(Joint Deputy Chair) and Professor David Burn - NIHR Oxford Health BRC
Dr Vanessa Raymont (Joint Deputy Chair) - Queens University Belfast
Professor Bernadette McGuinness - NIHR Cambridge BRC
Professor James Rowe - Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre and NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network - University of Edinburgh
Dr Tom Russ - NIHR Exeter BRC
Professor Louise Allan, Professor David Llewellyn and Professor Clive Ballard - NIHR Imperial BRC
Professor Paresh Malhotra - King's College London
Professor Dag Aarsland - NIHR Manchester BRC
Professor Chris Plack - Greater Manchester Dementia Research Centre
Dr Ross Dunne - NIHR Oxford BRC
Professor Peter Rothwell and Professor Clare Mackay - NIHR Sheffield BRC
Dr Dan Blackburn
Our projects
Brain Health Clinics
We have established a network of multi-disciplinary clinicians and academics working in cognitive services across the UK.
We share an ambition to fill the gap in dementia prevention services and are committed to collaborating on the development of clinical services and research in this area. We will do this by systematically identifying dementia risk factors at an early stage in people that present with mild neurodegenerative symptoms, with the aim to reduce their chance of developing dementia. To join the network and collaborate with us, please get in touch.