The UK’s primary dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s UK, has launched a new survey that aims to help shape future treatments for the neurological disorder.
The survey in question analyses participants’ views on the aspects of daily life that are most important to them, and which they’d most like to protect if they were to develop a disease that causes dementia.
Currently, new treatments are assessed on their ability to alter markers of disease, improve performance on memory and thinking tests and impact a person’s day-to-day life. However, there is little information in the UK about the aspects of daily life that are valued most highly by those with dementia or those facing the condition in the future.
Alzheimer’s is a complex disease and one of the largest challenges facing healthcare today, with lots of failed treatments in past pipelines.
Earlier this year Biogen and Eisai stopped two global Phase III trials of the Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab, after interim analyses indicated that the agent was ineffective and would not meet the primary endpoint.
Novartis, Amgen and Banner Alzheimer’s Institute also recently decided to discontinue investigation of the BACE1 inhibitor CNP520 (umibecestat), citing that potential benefit for participants in the studies did not outweigh the risk.
Minister for care, Caroline Dinenage commented that dementia is one of the “major health and care challenges of our time”, before noting that it’s “crucial” for the UK to be at the “forefront of cutting-edge research to develop new treatments and help people live the best quality of life.”
She continued, “Whether you have dementia or know someone who has, I urge you to take part in this survey to equip researchers with the information needed to make the UK the best place in the world to live with dementia.”
Over 850,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia. The condition is caused by brain diseases, most commonly Alzheimer’s, which cause brain cells to die and impair the brain’s ability to function. With few treatments available, and none that can tackle the course of the underlying disease, Alzheimer’s and other dementias are now the country’s leading cause of death.
