Funding for Parkinson's research marks Dementia Awareness Week
21 May 2012
This week is Dementia Awareness
Week (20-26 May 2012) and to mark the start of it, we're
supporting 2 research projects in this area.
The research has been funded by the Lewy Body Society.
What is Parkinson's dementia?
We've teamed up with the Lewy Body Society to support 2 new research projects in dementia with Lewy bodies.
When someone has Parkinson's motor - or
movement - symptoms for at least a year before experiencing
dementia, this is known as Parkinson's dementia.
There is a similar condition called dementia with Lewy bodies.
This is diagnosed when someone has the symptoms of dementia either
before or at the same time as developing Parkinson's-like problems
with movement.
In some cases, no motor symptoms may develop at all.
Unravelling the secrets of dementia
As part of our work, we've teamed up with the Lewy Body Society
to support 2 new innovation grants to
investigate this area.
Dr Jose Bras and his team at University College London will use
a grant of £35,000 to analyse the DNA of 700 people with dementia
with Lewy bodies. Jose hopes to spot subtle genetic changes that
will help us understand the condition better.
Parkinson's UK Senior Research Fellow, Dr Tilo Kunath, is
already using nerve cells made from stem cells to better understand
Parkinson's and to test new drugs.
Now we've awarded Tilo's team at the University of Edinburgh an
extra £18,172 to do the same for dementia with Lewy bodies.
A priority for Parkinson's UK
We're working to make sure that people with Parkinson's dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies get the best possible care and support.
We've recently appointed a senior professional engagement and
partnership officer, Cecilia Yardley, jointly with the Lewy Body
Society.
Cecilia's role is to co-ordinate our work around dementia.
She will build links between the 2 charities, and other
organisations, to make sure that people with Parkinson's dementia
and dementia with Lewy bodies get the best possible care and
support.
Questions about dementia
We're also working with the James Lind Alliance to ensure
that future research on dementia addresses the most important
issues for the people affected.
The project aims to ensure that people with dementia, their
carers and health and social care staff who support them have an
opportunity to set the research agenda.
It's important that all types of dementia are included. So if
you have an interest in Lewy Body Dementias (dementia with Lewy
bodies and Parkinson's dementia) please take part in their short
survey:
James Lind
Alliance survey - setting priorities for dementia
The deadline for responses is 30 June.
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