Main content

SDRC report cover

The Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC) launched their first impact report during the Alzheimer Scotland Annual Conference held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on the opening day of Dementia Awareness Week. The report provides an extensive mapping exercise of Scottish dementia and brain health research over the last five years.

The report outlines what is currently known and describes future ambitions within each of the key areas of research including: Diagnosis; Fundamental science; Living with dementia; Prevention and the work of the Scottish Dementia Informatics Partnership.

Prof Craig Ritchie, Professor of the Psychiatry of Ageing at the University of Edinburgh and Chair of the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC), said: “This first annual impact report of the SDRC demonstrates Scotland’s important position within the global dementia and brain health research environment.  It will provide a benchmark as we develop our key contribution and leadership in the field over the coming years.”

Carleen Smith, Scottish Dementia Research Officer (SDRC), added: “Our impact report highlights the depth and breadth of research happening across Scotland and its potential in advancing our understanding of dementia and brain health.  It provides a platform for developing the work of the SDRC and engaging a wider audience in this crucial area of research.”       

The report outlines that in the past five years Scotland has been awarded over 400 grants totalling £185million, that we have 700 dementia researchers with an additional 150 doctoral training students working across all the disciplines of dementia research. Researchers have also collaborated with over 1200 researchers around the world from 43 countries in 433 institutions. The findings provide a baseline going forward to outline where Scotland’s contribution to dementia and brain health research can grow over the coming years.

The Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC) is a network of dementia researchers, policy makers and people living with dementia from across Scotland. The membership-based organisation was formed in 2013. SDRC champions the work of world-class dementia researchers in all disciplines across Scotland. In addition, the SDRC aims to help develop this research further still by promoting collaboration and the sharing of new ideas among its membership.

To read the full SDRC report please click here.

Interested in taking part in research?

We need everyone to take part in research, whether you have dementia or not. There are lots of active studies taking place in Scotland right now. If you'd like to take part, signing up is free and easy with Join Dementia Research. 

Find out about becoming a research volunteer.