Bath-based charity and Research Institute for Brain Health, ReMind UK, has received £200k in funding over two years from philanthropist, John Osborn CBE.  

The funding will be invested to expand ReMind UK’s research capabilities.  

Last year saw a 55% growth in ReMind UK’s research studies and non-drug related trials work with the charity running eight clinical trials and four academic studies and as well as preparing to start five major new clinical trials this year. 

To support their growing research activity, ReMind UK is now calling for more local people, with or without dementia, to get involved and become research volunteers to support the search for new treatments for devastating dementia illnesses such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

In 2024 the overall number of people taking part in research or registered to do so at ReMind UK increased by 11% and the number of healthy volunteers on their register was 245% above their previous annual average enabling the charity to successfully support five new research studies with Healthy Brain volunteers. 

To help ReMind UK continue to develop its search for dementia treatments, local people can get involved in their research projects either as a ‘Healthy Brain volunteer’ if they don’t have a dementia diagnosis or through joining their ‘Dementia Research Register’ to receive information on opportunities to take part in research or clinical trials for people in the earlier stages of dementia.

Visit Current research at ReMind UK – ReMind UK

ReMind UK is a rare example of an independent charity combining research into neurodegenerative diseases with clinical practice in their memory clinic.  They have been delivering world-leading research alongside offering expert memory services since 1987. Their team of research nurses, psychologists and doctors work across a wide portfolio of clinical trials and research studies every year.

As well as research into drugs-based treatments, the charity collaborates on studies looking at management of neurodegenerative disorders and interventions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dental health and optimised drug management in settings such as care homes and hospices to help understand what keeps people living well for longer.

Dr Tom Welsh, Research and Medical Director at ReMind UK said: “It is an exciting time for dementia research. 2024 saw the initial generation of the first drugs licensed in fifteen years for Alzheimer’s Disease with the second and third generation coming through the pipeline. It’s a good indicator we’re on the right track, and we will have better efficacy and safety of these drugs coming through from now on. ReMind UK continue to be at the forefront of this work to get ahead of dementia and change the lives of thousands of people across the world.”

Melissa Hillier, Chief Executive Officer for ReMind UK said: “The team at ReMind UK aim to offer the chance to be involved in research to everyone diagnosed with a dementia causing condition at our memory clinic. Research into conditions of older age, is woefully under-funded in comparison to heart disease and cancers, and to measure the efficacy of our treatments we need more specialists and more research participants.  Over 1.1 million people in the UK are predicted to have dementia in the next five years and currently there is no cure, by getting involved in our research or clinical trials you can play your part in building a better future for local families impacted by dementia.”

ReMind UK collaborates in partnerships with local universities in Bath, Bristol and Exeter and NHS Trusts including the Royal United Hospital, Bath and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP).  The charity specialises in research into neurodegenerative diseases particularly early-stage Alzheimer’s disease which is the cause of over 60% of dementias and other causes of dementia.  ReMind UK aims to offer PHD fellowships and training pathways for more researchers into diseases causing dementia when more funding becomes available.  

To join ReMind UK’s Dementia Research Register or become a Healthy Brain volunteer email their Research Manager vanessa.bishop@reminduk.org or visit www.reminduk.org/research-institute-for-brain-health/current-research/ 

Or to support the charity’s vital research work visit www.reminduk.org