About Alzheimer’s Research UK and dementia

Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) is the UK’s leading dementia research charity. ARUK believes that science and innovation hold the key to defeating dementia and invests in world class, pioneering scientists who are driving forward research towards treatments, preventions and a cure. In 2012 ARUK is delighted to be working once more with the committed staff of Iceland Foods, who have already raised well over a million pounds to support ARUK's research mission, with the promise of much more this year. 

Last year Iceland supported a research project into early-onset Alzheimer's disease led by Professor Nick Fox of UCL Institute of Neurology in London. This year Iceland has pledged a further £1 million to extend this work by funding a research project that aims to improve early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and trial preventive treatments that may defer the onset of symptoms. ARUK's Director of Research Dr Eric Karran explains how exciting this could prove...

Dementia is the UK’s greatest medical challenge affecting over 820,000 people across the country. Surrounding those people is a network of family members and carers profoundly affected by the condition. In fact, around half the UK population is touched by dementia through a family member or close friend.

Outside the enormous social impact of dementia, it also poses a huge economic challenge. The cost of dementia to the UK economy is estimated to be £23bn - more than heart disease and cancer combined. In spite of this, and in spite of some recent Government research investment, scientists working on dementia are still outnumbered one to six by those working in cancer.

No matter how you look at it, we are still not doing enough to help those living with dementia now, and the many more people who will be affected as our population ages. While age remains a great risk factor for dementia, it is not inevitable. It is caused by diseases in the brain. We have beaten diseases in the past, and we can do it again for Alzheimer’s and other dementia-causing conditions; we just need more research. Iceland’s incredible fundraising is helping ARUK to take major steps forward towards a breakthrough that will consign dementia to history.

Alzheimer's Research UK is a Registered charity no. 1077089 and SC042474

For more information about Alzheimer's Research UK please visit their website.