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 throughout the country in addition to our international collaborations. 

The report provides an update from each of the key areas of research including: Diagnosis; Fundamental science; Living with dementia; Prevention and the work of the Scottish Dementia Informatics Partnership. In addition, we also provide data on the research that has taken place in Scotland in 2019, using our previous Impact Report’s data as a baseline to measure our field’s success and identify areas for further development.

Prof Craig Ritchie, Professor of the Psychiatry of Ageing at the University of Edinburgh and Chair of the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC), said: “This report highlights the fantastic progress being made by everyone in the Scottish dementia and brain health research community in 2019. Despite current challenges SDRC will ensure that in 2020 and beyond we will grow the research portfolio and ensure our research impacts practice”

Carleen Smith, Scottish Dementia Research Officer (SDRC), added: “In this second SDRC Report, I am still amazed at the breadth, diversity and quality of our dementia and brain health research. I am delighted that this report allows the SDRC to highlight this. Even during these difficult times, we still want to champion the achievements of our amazing dementia and brain health researchers from all over the country.”     

The results once again demonstrate the significant contribution and key position of Scotland to global dementia and brain health research over the past five years.  Scotland has been awarded 270 grants totalling £113 million of funding during this time. We have had 721 active dementia researchers over the last five years, with an additional 148 PhD students.  They are working across all disciplines of dementia and brain health research and are presented within the SDRC themes.

The Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC) is a network of dementia researchers, policy makers and people living with dementia from across Scotland. The membership-based organisation was formed in 2013. SDRC champions the work of world-class dementia researchers in all disciplines across Scotland. In addition, the SDRC aims to help develop this research further still by promoting collaboration and the sharing of new ideas among its membership.

Click here to read the report in full.