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Dementia progress 'achingly slow' says global envoy | Dementia progress 'achingly slow' says global envoy |
(35 minutes later) | |
Progress on new research and treatments for dementia has been "achingly slow", an expert has said. | Progress on new research and treatments for dementia has been "achingly slow", an expert has said. |
Dr Dennis Gillings, new world dementia envoy, said a pledge by G8 countries to develop a cure or treatment by 2025 was "impossible" without better incentives for investment. | |
He also called for faster and cheaper clinical trials for drugs. | He also called for faster and cheaper clinical trials for drugs. |
It comes as PM David Cameron is due to call for a "big, bold global push" to tackle the problem at a London summit. | |
Around 800,000 people in the UK - and 44 million globally - have dementia. | Around 800,000 people in the UK - and 44 million globally - have dementia. |
'Special case' | 'Special case' |
Six months since the UK hosted a G8 summit on dementia, the prime minister is speaking at a follow-up event in central London where he will commit to accelerating progress on dementia drugs. | Six months since the UK hosted a G8 summit on dementia, the prime minister is speaking at a follow-up event in central London where he will commit to accelerating progress on dementia drugs. |
Experts and health officials from other G8 countries are expected to attend. | Experts and health officials from other G8 countries are expected to attend. |
Dr Gillings, who was appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron to be the global leader on dementia, warned: "Just as the world came together in the fight against HIV/AIDS, we need to free up regulation so that we can test ground-breaking new drugs. | |
"The amount of scrutiny by regulators is considerable, but there probably needs to be a special case made for dementia by regulators so they can help move things through more quickly... | |
"Simplify the clinical trials process or simplify the sort of data being demanded." | |
Cancer v dementia research | Cancer v dementia research |
Source: Alzheimer's Research UK | |
Dr Gillings added that a major barrier to research was the "ratio of risk to reward" facing pharmaceutical companies investing in dementia. | Dr Gillings added that a major barrier to research was the "ratio of risk to reward" facing pharmaceutical companies investing in dementia. |
Only three out of 104 dementia drugs assessed in clinical trials since 1998 have received regulatory approval. | Only three out of 104 dementia drugs assessed in clinical trials since 1998 have received regulatory approval. |
Globally, research and development losses in dementia since then have reached around $50bn (£29bn). | Globally, research and development losses in dementia since then have reached around $50bn (£29bn). |
'Massive Challenge' | 'Massive Challenge' |
A key reason for the lack of movement in this area, along with limited funding, is simply that research is extremely difficult. | A key reason for the lack of movement in this area, along with limited funding, is simply that research is extremely difficult. |
"The brain is our most inaccessible organ," said Tim Parry from Alzheimer's Research UK. | "The brain is our most inaccessible organ," said Tim Parry from Alzheimer's Research UK. |
"We're looking to find the fault in the world's biggest supercomputer (our brains) but we're doing it in the dark. It's an absolutely massive challenge." | "We're looking to find the fault in the world's biggest supercomputer (our brains) but we're doing it in the dark. It's an absolutely massive challenge." |
The charity is announcing a £100m research campaign as part of the summit. | The charity is announcing a £100m research campaign as part of the summit. |
Its chief executive, Rebecca Wood, said: "Will feed innovative academic discoveries into the drug development pipeline, helping treatments to reach people with dementia more quickly. | |
"It's imperative that efforts to remove regulatory barriers are successful to allow new dementia research partnerships to thrive and deliver on their promise." | |
The government will also announce the Medical Research Council's new UK Dementias Research Platform (UKDP) which it hopes will "speed up" research into dementia. | The government will also announce the Medical Research Council's new UK Dementias Research Platform (UKDP) which it hopes will "speed up" research into dementia. |
The £16m public-private partnership aims to enable earlier detection of dementia, improved treatment and - ultimately - prevention of the disease. | The £16m public-private partnership aims to enable earlier detection of dementia, improved treatment and - ultimately - prevention of the disease. |
The key project will be the world's biggest study into dementia involving two million people in the UK who scientists have already been tracking as part of other studies. | The key project will be the world's biggest study into dementia involving two million people in the UK who scientists have already been tracking as part of other studies. |
Jeremy Hughes chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society said: "Today's announcements mean the UK is leading the fight in dementia research but our global partners will be crucial to fulfilling the promise of the G8." | |
Dr John Gallacher, from Cardiff University and director of the UKDP, said neurodegeneration could be linked with changes in parts of the body "seemingly unrelated" to the brain. | Dr John Gallacher, from Cardiff University and director of the UKDP, said neurodegeneration could be linked with changes in parts of the body "seemingly unrelated" to the brain. |
He said it was "imperative" to look at the different stages of developing the disease. | He said it was "imperative" to look at the different stages of developing the disease. |
"By looking at the links between development of the disease and other factors - such as diet or illness - we hope to unearth targets for new drugs or new uses for existing drugs," he added. | "By looking at the links between development of the disease and other factors - such as diet or illness - we hope to unearth targets for new drugs or new uses for existing drugs," he added. |