Leading the world on dementia

The Prime Minister today called for a global effort to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time: dementia. UCL scientists, working with clinicians at the university's partner hospitals, are at the heart of the battle to treat the condition. The UK is using its presidency of the G8 to spearhead a global effort to tackle dementia. To better understand the challenges that lie ahead, the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt recently visited a hub of scientists and clinicians leading dementia research projects. Mr Hunt was given a tour of facilities at the UCL Institute of Neurology and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN), part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The NHNN and neuroscientists based at UCL are at the research epicentre. Clinical researchers are faced with several challenges: they must develop new treatments to prevent, slow or stop the disease - and identify as early as possible those who will benefit from these treatments - and improve the treatment and care of those affected now.