Dementia Action Week: The drive for earlier dementia diagnosis

As part of Dementia Action Week (15-21 May), join Race Against Dementia by following the social media links below to explore the urgency for swifter diagnosis:

15-16 May: ‘Ask a RAD Fellow’. RAD Fellow Dr Aitana Sogorb-Esteve – whose research focuses on biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia – will answer your questions on diagnosis and symptoms.

18 May: Share diagnosis stories – yours or a loved one’s – with the RAD community. We can learn and support each other.

20 May: RAD will share ‘Ask a RAD Fellow’ questions and answers. All questions will be anonymous.

Dementia impacts the lives of millions across the globe. In the UK alone, 900,000 people live with dementia. 42,000 Britons under 65 have young onset dementia. Dementia is indiscriminate.

Research is making a difference.

Brain changes associated with dementia can begin at least 20 years before symptoms manifest. This presents a unique opportunity for early diagnosis and intervention, providing support and treatment to people with dementia – and their families – sooner.

RAD Fellow Dr Maura Malpetti’s pioneering work focuses on the development of a blood test that indicates cognitive impairment by detecting brain inflammation. It is a simple, quick and inexpensive alternative to invasive, arduous and costly brain scans.

“We explore new techniques and new tools to make progress faster.”

“Just like Formula 1, we are always seeking greater efficiencies – time, cost and overall performance. We explore new techniques and new tools to make progress faster. Research is not just about the answer but how you get to the answer too.” ~ Dr Maura Malpetti, RAD Fellow 

Maura’s inventive blood test solution aims to transform the way we screen and treat dementia. It has the potential to revolutionise the way we approach care, detection and treatment.

Dementia Action Week is a timely reminder of the ongoing battle against this life-altering disease. There is no time to waste, join the race against dementia today and help us fund breakthrough research. Maura is just one of our researchers working on making a difference.