HD research news - medical research into treatment & prevention

Creation of a UK research network for dementias and neurodegenerative diseases

August 2006

A Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN) dedicated to supporting research into a range of neurodegenerative conditions, including Huntington’s disease has been formed. Established by the UK Clinical Research Network and the Department of Health, DeNDRoN consists of seven new Local Research Networks.

These Local Research Networks will facilitate and coordinate clinical trials taking place within the NHS and will work with organisations such as the Huntington’s disease Association to ensure that research resources and methodological expertise are shared and that the research carried out is relevant to people living with Huntington’s disease.

Each Network will have dedicated research staff to resource new neurodegenerative clinical trials and to work with hospitals, GPs, care homes and patient bodies to identify suitable patients for clinical research.

Professor Ian McKeith, Co-Director, Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network, said:

“The Dementias and Neurodegenerative Disease Research Network will forge partnerships between specialists in psychiatry and neurology together with teams in primary care who treat this large group of patients with complex and often long-term diseases. The network will offer unprecedented opportunities to bring the latest clinical treatments and trials to people in the UK. The new scheme will work in close partnership with patient organisations to ensure that we are addressing the research questions that are of most importance to them.”

Strengthening clinical research in neurodegenerative conditions is a key step to improving the delivery of healthcare services to people living with conditions such as Huntington’s disease.