Daniel Zeichner MP joined local scientists for the Westminster launch of an awareness-raising campaign from Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Cambridgeshire based leading dementia research charity.

Daniel met scientists at the forefront of dementia research, learned about Alzheimer’s Research UK’s work to fight dementia and improve public understanding and heard from World Dementia Envoy, Dennis Gillings, on the global response to the growing challenge of dementia.

Dementia is the most feared condition for over-55s in the UK, and nearly half of this group believe dementia is the biggest medical challenge facing the UK today. Yet less than a quarter of people in the UK recognise that brain diseases like Alzheimer’s are behind the distressing symptoms.

Alzheimer’s Research UK’s national awareness-raising campaign aims to highlight the challenge of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and the urgent need for investment in research to fight these diseases.

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, said:
“Our awareness campaign challenges society to change its thinking about dementia, and to recognise that it’s not an inevitable result of ageing: it’s caused by diseases that can be fought. We’ve seen major advances in the fight against other diseases such as AIDS and cancer, thanks in part to a political will to back research, now we want to see similar breakthroughs for dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is leading the fightback, and we need the public and politicians to add their voices to our campaign.”