Scientists Call for More Funding for Dementia Research

A poll conducted this week by the Alzheimer's Research UK has revealed that fear for dementia has overtaken cancer and even death. The poll has helped draw attention to the startlingly low levels of funding for dementia research. Despite 820,000 people suffering from dementia presently in UK and an estimated 1.7 million people being affected by 2051, the investment in dementia research is severely low.

Alzheimer's Research UK's Chief Executive, Rebecca Wood said, "Public concern around dementia is at an all time high, yet dementia research is still the poor relation in both capacity and investment. We have such brilliant research talent in the UK which could make real inroads into defeating dementia with more support- our brain depends on theirs." According to the poll- 31% respondents feared dementia most, while 27% fearing cancer most and 18% death. 52% UK adults (30-50years) feared dementia for their parents, 42% feared cancer while 33% feared heart attack.

Dementia costs the UK economy 23billion pounds per annum. This amount is more than cancer (12billion pounds) and heart disease (8billion pounds) but is still insufficient. Today the scientists will call for more funding for research into dementia as more research needs to be done in this area.

Source: Medindia