Dementia Research in Scotland

Scotland’s dementia research community has strong tradition of impactful research with outcomes that improve the lives of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Visit our Research Themes page for an overview of the types of ongoing research taking place in Scotland.

See below for some of the work of researchers, and how we can help you with your research.

Promoting Research

 

The SDRC works to celebrate the ongoing work of researchers.

If you have something you would like to share with the SDRC membership, please get in touch. 

Scottish dementia and brain health research in 2022 in numbers

We attracted 54 research grant awards, totaling £14.5 million in research grants

Over 700 Scottish-based researchers contributed to a research paper or grant award

Scottish-based researchers published over 300 papers into scientific journals

    We collaborated with 2200 international researchers in 49 countries

    Research spotlight: blog

    SDRC Annual Report 2021/22: Fundamental Science

    In the SDRC Annual Report 2021/21 we dedicated a section each to the progress and ongoing work of the SDRC research themes.  The following extract is focusing on the Fundamental Science theme, led by Professor Frank Gunn-Moore and Dr Sophie Bradley. Read more below....

    SDRC Annual Report 2022/23: Living with Dementia

    Earlier this year, the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium launched our Annual Report. In addition to providing an overview of all dementia and brain health research in the past year, we also have a section in the report dedicated to each of the SDRC research...

    Early Career Researchers: Clarisse de Vries

    Throughout the next two weeks, the SDRC are celebrating our next generation of researchers by publishing a series of blogs from PhD Students/ Early Career Researchers that were featured in the SDRC Annual Report 2019/20. First, we have Clarisse de Vries, whose...

    The launch of the SDRC Annual Report 2019/20

    The SDRC Annual Report 2019/20, launched on Monday 20th April, outlines what is new in dementia and brain health research in Scotland in the past 12 months. Once again, we are able to show the truly amazing quantity, quality and diversity of research happening...

    COVID Impact on ECRs: Katie Gambier-Ross

    If you have been following on the SDRC website, you will have seen our blog series featuring some wonderful Early Career Researchers and student, sharing insights on how COVID has been impacting their research and career prospects, as well as some helpful tips for all...

    Early Career Researchers: Angela Gregory

    The SDRC are committed to celebrating our next generation of researchers by publishing a series of blogs to PhD Students/ Early Career Researchers.  This week we are featuring those that were in the SDRC Annual Report 2019/20. Read about the research by Angela...

    Early Career Researchers: Bryan Mitchell

    Throughout August, the SDRC are celebrating our next generation of researchers by publishing a series of blogs to PhD Students/ Early Career Researchers.  For the first week, we are featuring those that were in the SDRC Impact Report 2019. Read about Bryan Mitchell,...

    SDRC Annual Report 2021/22: Prevention

    Dementia Prevention, is one of the themes of the SDRC and featured in the SDRC Annual Report 2021/22. Theme lead, and SDRC chair, Professor Craig Ritchie, has written the following extract from the report dedicated to the research across Scotland on dementia...

    Researcher Blog: Doing Rapid COVID research

    Today's SDRC blog provides insights from three investigators and offers tips on doing rapid COVID research. George Palattiyil, Sarah Swift and Debbie Tolson have shared their experiences of working together remotely and the process of the research, from the...

    Scottish Brain Health Register: An Update

    Earlier this year, the SDRC announced the launch of the Scottish Brain Health Register. The register is led by the Scottish Dementia Informatics Platform (part of the SDRC) and supported by Alzheimer Scotland, you can read more about the launch in our previous blog...

    Research spotlight: video

    video coming soon

    Are you a researcher that would like to feature in this spotlight section? Get in touch to write a blog or share a video with us!

    How can I get involved in dementia research in Scotland?

    Join Dementia Research

    Anybody over the age of 18 can take part in dementia research in Scotland. The first step is signing up to support vital research studies across the nation. 

    Join Dementia Research is UK-wide service which allows you to register your interest to take part in dementia research and be matched to suitable studies. The register is open to anyone – so you do not need to have a diagnosis of dementia or any family history of the illness. You can also sign up someone else to the register, if you have their consent to do so.

    Visit the Join Dementia Research website for more information. You can also find out more about volunteering for dementia research studies by calling Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Hour helpline on  0808 808 3000

    Supporting Research

    Funding and Career Opportunities

    Research Associate: Drosophila models of neurodegeneration

      Type Research Associate Institution University of Glasgow Closing date 25 June 2025 Title Drosophila models of neurodegeneration University of Glasgow has recently launched an MRC-funded project – “Glial Homeostasis, Brain Ageing and Neurodegeneration”. You'll...

    Research Fellow: Astrocyte ageing & Bioinformatics

      Type Research Fellowship Institution Edinburgh Napier University, School of applied sciences Closing date 24 June 2025 Title Glial Homeostasis, Brain Ageing and Neurodegeneration Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Applied Sciences have recently launched an...

    Do you have insights to share with other researchers? Write a blog for the SDRC!

    We are always looking for SDRC members to feature on our website and write a guest blog for the SDRC. You may already be familiar with our blog series, where we welcome contributions from people with an experience of brain health or dementia research. Blogs are an...

    Research studies recruiting volunteers

    Share your experience: Dementia diagnosis process

    Do you have experience with the dementia diagnosis process? Support this research study at the University of Strathclyde Sarah-Jayne Hamilton from the University of Strathclyde is looking for people with memory concerns of mild cognitive impairment to join an...

    Take part in research: dementia diagnosis in the autistic community

    Lynsey Stewart, from University of Strathclyde, is recruiting participants for a research study. Lynsey's research project addresses the problem of dementia among autistic individuals.  See below for more information on how to get involved.  Project title: Improving...

    Research Study: Young onset dementia

    Are you younger than 65? Do you have young onset dementia symptoms? Do you live at home? Ziyue Want, from the University of Galway is recruiting for a research study which will help to develop a programme to improve social health of people with young onset dementia. ...

    Are you an Early Career Researcher?

     

    The SDRC understand the specific challenges that early career researchers have in their career. 

    Therefore we have created a range of resources dedicated specifically for early career researchers to support them in their development. 

    Webinars

    Educational content which offers practical education on specific elements of dementia or brain health research. Or masterclasses which will give advice on career progressions.

    Speakers are experts in their fields.

    Mentorship

    We assign early career researchers to a more experienced academic who will give one-to-one advice and support. 

    This programme is currently paused but SDRC members will be notified once it restarts.

    Useful links

    We know the dementia and brain health landscape can be intimidating to those new to research in this area.

    Visit our Useful Links page to get an overview of organisations that are relevant to research and academia.

    How can I be a part of the SDRC?

    The SDRC is the biggest network of dementia and brain health research in Scotland. We all work together to celebrate and grow the research community.

    Membership is free and open to all.