The Scottish Dementia and Neurodegenerative Network is funded by the Chief Scientist Office to promote a culture of clinical research in dementia across Scotland and improve recruitment to high quality studies from both urban and rural areas. 

Your local research centres are located in Murray Royal Hospital (Perth) and Ninewells Hospital (Dundee), where several world-class studies are ongoing involving individuals with a diagnosis of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases as well as healthy volunteers. 

The network offers a variety of research, from questionnaire based studies to interventional clinical trials (involving either already licensed medications or investigational products).  Interestingly, two of the network’s current studies were featured on a recent episode of BBC Horizon’s program 'Curing Alzheimer’s' (aired at 8pm on 11 May), which focussed on the exciting advancements being made in the bid to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.  

If taking part in research isn’t for you then there are other ways you can become involved with the network, for example by becoming a ‘JDR champion’ and promoting a national research register called ‘join dementia research’ (www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk); or becoming a member of our patient public involvement group and offering a lay opinion to innovative researchers on their upcoming studies.  

To find out more information on getting involved with the Dementia and Neurodegenerative Network you can call 01738 414535, email Tay-UHB.SDCRNteam@nhs.net or visit our website at http://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-areas/dementia-and-neurodegenerative-disease/