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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, the recently appointed global dementia envoy, said the pledge by G8 countries to develop a cure or treatment by 2025 was "impossible" without better incentives for investment. 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.
"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", said Dr Gillings, who was appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron to be the global leader on dementia. 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 researchCancer v dementia research
Source: Alzheimer's Research Source: Alzheimer's Research UK
"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. This happened with HIV in the mid-80s."
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, Jeremy Hughes, said: "We have seen the huge progress that has been delivered for cancer research because of a sustained boost in funding and now we need the same for people with dementia." 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.
Mr Hughes 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." 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.