Neuroprogressive & Dementia Network

Dementia is one of the foremost public health challenges worldwide. As a consequence of improved healthcare and better standards of living more people are living for longer. This means in Scotland that the number of people with dementia is expected to double between 2011 and 2031.

At the same time, neuroprogressive diseases including Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis are increasingly understood to have commonality in underlying causes, patient experience, symptoms and their management.

To advance understanding of the diseases and new treatments, inter-disciplinary research is crucial. Supported by the NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network a wide range of research studies are conducted within the NHS and Care Home settings including:

• research into the underlying mechanisms and causes
• prevention
• new symptoms
• disease-modifying treatments
• better care

They support researchers from across a range of disciplines and deliver this research across Scotland in a wide range of healthcare settings, including primary and community care, mental health services and acute hospitals. Research capacity in Huntington’s disease and Motor Neurone Disease is also being increased with 3-year Clinical Research Fellowships being jointly funded with CSO.

Close working with colleagues from Mental Health and Age & Ageing also ensures high levels of collaboration across Scotland.