Science Minister Lord Vallance today announced the third challenge of UKRI (UK Research and Innovation’s Research and Development (R&D) Missions Accelerator Programme, The Dementia Patient Flow Research and Innovation(R&I) Challenge.
The minister called on researchers and innovators to address the need for timely diagnosis of dementia to help address patient needs and ease pressure on the NHS.
The necessity of research
Speaking during a visit to the Medical Research Council (MRC)’s UK Dementia Research Institute in Cambridge with Health Minister Zubir Ahmed, Lord Vallance said:
Few people in the UK will go through life untouched by the impact of dementia, whether through a personal diagnosis or in caring for, or coming to terms with, its effect on a loved one.
We must therefore grasp the opportunities that science and technology offers in getting people the early and effective diagnosis they need to continue living fulfilled lives while reducing the pressure on hospitals.
Whether it involves advanced blood tests or home AI tools and much more besides, we’re setting a clear, measurable and ambitious target, challenging researchers to drive forward potentially game-changing discoveries to transform the lives of people across our country while building an NHS fit for the future and growing our economy.
A million people in the UK living with dementia
Around a million people in the UK living with dementia, a number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
Researchers and industry have been backed by £5 million of initial funding, through the Dementia Patient Flow R&I Challenge.
Their goal is to come up with ideas to improve the quality of life for those living with this devastating disease and ease pressure on the NHS.
The aim is that, by 2029, more than 92% of patients could be diagnosed within 18 weeks of a doctor’s referral, up from less than half currently.
Investigating potential solutions
Solutions could include:
- ramping up work on blood tests that spot the build-up of proteins associated with dementia
- saliva analysis that notices hormone changes at the early stages of a fading memory, or even before symptoms have begun to show
- Such breakthroughs would mark a significant shift from traditional tests relying on noticeable signs of decline.
Potential outcomes
This research could allow early treatment to help manage symptoms, slowing progression through lifestyle changes, and improving quality of life of dementia sufferers.
Other potential solutions could see the development of AI-powered daily routine assistants which work through smart speakers or tablet devices and learn the activities someone enjoys and their cognitive abilities.
This could then
- suggest brain training exercises
- offer reminders for daily tasks
- help with simple cooking instructions
- facilitate video calls with family
One in four acute hospital beds occupied by a person with dementia in England
With one in four acute hospital beds occupied by someone with dementia in England, these tools will help people get the care needed, when it is needed, in their community
This will support the NHS as we build a health service fit for the future.
Professor Patrick Chinnery, MRC Executive Chair, said:
Dementia is a deeply personal and complex condition that affects millions of families across the UK. As both a clinician and researcher, I see first-hand the urgent need for earlier diagnosis and more personalised care.
The UKRI Dementia Patient Flow R&I Challenge is a bold and timely initiative that brings together the UK’s scientific excellence and clinical insight, from across academia and industry, to deliver real change.
By accelerating innovation, from advanced diagnostics to smart technologies, we can transform the patient journey, ease pressure on the NHS, and give people living with dementia the chance to lead fuller, more independent lives.
Backed by funding
The Dementia Patient Flow R&I Challenge is the third part of the R&D Missions Accelerator Programme, backed by £500 million set out in the government’s Spending Review.
The programme, coordinated by UKRI, marks the first time government has set clear, measurable and stretched targets for R&D to deliver its core missions.
The announcement also comes alongside further support for those with dementia, with Innovate UK announcing £1.2 million for two projects accelerating innovation in digital cognitive assessments.
It will also support blood biomarker (molecules in the body which can indicate illness) research already running via Dementias Platform UK’s READ-OUT study.
This will test if the combination of blood and digital testing can provide more accurate diagnoses of cognitive conditions across the NHS, as part of the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative System Preparedness work.
Investing in dementia solutions
The investment will support University of Oxford spin-out Kneu Health in real world testing of innovative smartphone-based cognitive assessment technology.
The system will allow patients to complete assessments at their clinic appointment and afterwards, providing clinics with comprehensive profiles that help to ensure appropriate treatment.
It will also support Food for the Brain Foundation’s web-based test that assesses four key areas of brain function:
- thinking speed
- memory
- recognition
- decision-making
It can be completed in clinic and at home using standard web browsers, before being integrated into NHS services.
This work will build on existing projects committed to transforming dementia treatment, including:
- the Blood Biomarker Challenge, which funds READ-OUT
- work through the UK Dementia Research Institute to trial technologies like cameras and sensors which detect dementia earlier
- the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals Neurodegeneration Initiative programme, which is accelerating innovations in biomarkers, clinical trials and implementation
