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IMPACT REPORT 2024

EVERY THREE SECONDS, SOMEONE DEVELOPS DEMENTIA...

Our scientists are racing to change that – fast.

RESEARCH IN NUMBERS

£ 0

MILLION

DONATED TO FUND GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH

0

researchers have joined the Race Against Dementia network

0

RESEARCH PROJECTS BACKED

0

hours of dementia research hours – and counting

0 %

of fellows have been promoted to senior positions during their fellowships

0

cross-institutional collaborations have launched to accelerate discoveries

0

papers advancing dementia science published by fellows

£ 10

MILLION

secured by fellows for additional research whilst part of the Race Against Dementia network

FELLOWSHIPS

Our FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME

In partnership with leading dementia research charities, we back research fellows from the UK, Australia, South Africa, Europe and the USA. These researchers join a global network, receiving expert mentoring and Formula 1-inspired training to accelerate their progress.

DR ELISE MILOSEVICH

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

Race Against Dementia Alzheimer’s Research UK Fellow
Investigating post-stroke dementia, a condition affecting one in three stroke survivors, to improve understanding and potential interventions.

DR PRADEEP MANUNEEDHI CHOLAN

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

Race Against Dementia Australia Research Foundation Fellow
Exploring how gut bacteria influence Alzheimer’s progression, aiming to improve early diagnosis and develop new treatments.

DR AUDREY LOW

MAYO CLINIC

Race Against Dementia Mayo Clinic Fellow
Focusing on whether the fluid build-up between brain blood vessels is linked to the toxic proteins that cause Alzheimer’s, paving the way for new diagnostic tools.

IGNITION FUND

FAST-TRACKING UNEXPECTED BREAKTHROUGHS

Traditional research funding is often tied to a fixed plan – but scientific discovery doesn’t always follow a straight path. New leads emerge, and unexpected breakthroughs can’t wait. The Race Against Dementia Ignition Fund provides flexible grants of up to £100,000 to help scientists seize new opportunities and ensure promising ideas aren’t left behind.

DR GAYNOR SMITH

UNIVERSITY OF CARDIFF

Gaynor’s lab uses fruit flies to study Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on an under-studied gene called WWOX (WW domain-containing oxidoreductase). WWOX regulates cell growth and survival, and emerging research suggests it may protect the brain by preventing neuronal damage and inflammation – potentially reducing dementia risk.

DR YAZEAD BUHIDMA

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON

Yazead is investigating how immune cells in the brain are affected in frontotemporal lobar degeneration, a rare form of dementia. His research also explores whether viral infections could trigger or worsen the disease.

DR DAVID KOSS

UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

David is launching a new research group to study how genetic damage contributes to dementia, with a specific focus on dementia with Lewy bodies.

TEAMS PROGRAMME

ACCELERATING PROGRESS TOGETHER

In 2024, we dedicated £4.2 million to fund six research teams through the Race Against Dementia Teams Programme – an increase from the original plan to fund five, reflecting the exceptional quality of applications. Team selection is led by Rosetrees, a renowned partner in identifying bold, high-impact research initiatives.

Testing focused ultrasound as a non-invasive method to boost memory and attention in dementia with Lewy bodies – the first clinical trial of its kind.
Investigating how two key proteins interact to damage brain cells in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, aiming to develop treatments that can slow or stop disease progression.
Exploring how airborne pollution particles trigger immune responses that cause brain inflammation, with the goal of developing new prevention strategies.
Testing promising drugs for vascular dementia to address critical research gaps and the lack of specific treatments and clinical trials.
Conducting a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of citalopram, a licensed drug in treating challenging behaviours in frontotemporal dementia and related conditions.
Studying brain tissue from surgery patients to detect early changes linked to Alzheimer’s, identifying new ways to diagnose and treat the disease before symptoms appear.
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