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

    Early Career Researchers: Luisa Parkinson

    In the coming days, the SDRC are publishing a series of blogs featuring those that were in the SDRC Annual Report 2019/20.  Read about Luisa Parkinson's research as a PhD student from the University of Edinburgh in this excerpt below. I am in my second year of my PhD...

    Early Career Researchers: Stina Saunders

    Throughout August, the SDRC are publishing a series of blogs from PhD Students/ Early Career Researchers in dementia and brain health.   For the first week, we are featuring those that were in the SDRC Impact Report 2019.  Read about Stina Saunders' research as a PhD...

    Outgoing SDRC Chair: Professor Craig Ritchie Blog

    Today, 10th October 2022, the SDRC will open nominations for researchers to join Executive Committee and for the position of Chair- members will receive an email to their inbox with further details. SDRC Chair, Professor Craig Ritchie is standing down. Please read...

    Guest Blog: Enabling Research in Care Homes (ENRICH) Scotland

    In this guest blog from Enabling research in Care Homes (ENRICH) Scotland, we find out more about the work of the organisation and how they are working with care homes to increase representation in research. This blog is taken from the SDRC Annual Report, which you...

    New SDRC Executive Committee Member: Stina Saunders

    Our final announcement of new SDRC Executive Committee members is Stina Saunders. We are delighted to have Stina joining us and look forward to working with her and all the new members. Find out more about Stina in the blog below.   I am in the final year of my PhD at...

    The launch of the SDRC Impact Report 2019

    The SDRC are delighted to announce our Impact Report 2019, which was launched yesterday, 3rd June 2019 by Professor Craig Ritchie in his plenary session of the Alzheimer Scotland Annual Conference. The 840 delegates in attendance were among the first to get their...

    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. ...

    Early Career Researchers: Miles Welstead

    Following on from our very successful August PhD student and Early Career Researcher blog series, we have many more blogs to share with you during September! Our first one is by Miles Welstead.  Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with the series. I am a PhD...

    Alzheimer Disease International Clinician Survey

    This year Alzheimer's Disease International has commissioned McGill University, Montreal, Canada to produce this year's World Alzheimer Report on diagnosis, as well as the 2022 World Alzheimer Report on post-diagnostic support. The first of three surveys is now ready...

    Early Career Researchers: Anca Sandu-Giuraniuc

    As you may have seen, the SDRC have started a blog series featuring bios from ECRs. Read the series so far here. Today's bio is of Anca Sandu-Giuraniuc from the University of Aberdeen.  Anca is a postdoctoral research fellow working in Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging...

    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.