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

    Dementia and Multi-Species Caring: Current Practice & Future Possibilities Workshop

    Funded by the British Society for Gerontology (BSG), this one-day workshop will bring together academics, students, people affected by dementia, policy makers and representatives of animal assistance charities, to explore future possibilities in animal-assisted...

    NHS Research Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network Strategy Launch

    On 3rd December 2021, the NHS Research Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Research Network (NRS NDN) launched a new strategy.  It sets out the Network's intention to involve, engage with, and support people with lived experience of neuroprogressive conditions or...

    COVID Impact on ECRs: Angela Gregory

    You may have read over the past few weeks we have been sharing blogs from Early Career Researchers on how COVID has been impacting their research and career prospects. Today's blog is by Angela Gregory, PhD Student at the University of the West of Scotland and...

    The SDRC Impact Report 2019- Living with Dementia Theme

    On the 3rd June 2019, we launched the SDRC Impact Report 2019  For the first time, we now have an overall picture of who is doing dementia research in Scotland. In addition to providing this overview, we also have a section in the report for each of the SDRC research...

    Alzheimer Scotland welcomes announcement of Scottish Brain Health Register

    Scotland’s largest annual dementia conference (Friday 8 June, EICC, Edinburgh) will see the official launch of the newly created Scottish Brain Health Register. The register is led by the Scottish Dementia Informatics Platform (part of the...

    SDRC Executive Committee Support: Dr Terry Quinn

    You may have read in our previous blog that we now have two new academics which will provide support to the SDRC Executive Committee with our growing activity. This support will run until our next Executive Committee election at the end of 2020.  The second of these...

    Participants Required for PhD Research Study: Carers and Former Carers who use Twitter

    Are you currently, or have been previously, a carer for someone with dementia? Do you have experience in using Twitter? If so, please consider participating in an interview to help us understand your opinions and perceptions towards dementia related information on...

    Guest Blog: Jennifer Waymont

    Today's blog is from Jenny Waymont, who recently completed her PhD and is now working with Brain Health Scotland. You may recognise Jenny from previous blogs, and also featured as an ECR in the SDRC Annual Report 2020. Jenny tells us about her where her career is...

    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,...

    The launch of the SDRC Annual Report 2020/21

    The SDRC Annual Report 2020/21, launched at the SDRC Annual Conference 2021 on Wednesday 16th June. It outlines what research has been ongoing in dementia and brain health research in Scotland in the past 12 months. Of course, it heavily features the impact COVID has...

    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.