Öpik Joins Call For More Alzheimer's Research Funding

2.17.08pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 29th Aug 2006

Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik has backed a Motion in the House of Commons urging the Government to fund more research into Alzheimer's disease.

The Early Day Motion (EDM), endorsed by the Alzheimer's Research Trust (ART), claims that Alzheimer's funding is not keeping keeping pace with the rising prevalence of the disease. The EDM has cross-party support and has been signed by over 100 MPs.

Lembit said:

"The underfunding of Alzheimer's research is deeply concerning. There are over 750,000 people with dementia in the UK and the figure is rising, but only 2% of funding through the Medical Research Council is allocated to Alzheimer's.

"Great advances in our understanding of the disease and new approaches to treatment and prevention are being made in the UK, so I'm committed to supporting the Alzheimer's Research Trust's campaign to ensure funding for Alzheimer's increases significantly".

Alzheimer's disease costs nearly ten times more than cancer to treat but receives only a tenth of the Government research funding allocated to cancer. The EDM urges the Government to fund more research into the diagnosis, treatment and cure of Alzheimer's. It also supports the aims of the leading Alzheimer's research charity in the UK, the Alzheimer's Research Trust (ART), which is dedicated to encouraging and funding cutting edge research.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Early Day Motion (EDM 2301 - Research Funding for Alzheimer's Diagnosis, Treatment and Cure) was tabled on Tuesday 6th June by Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam

There are currently over half a million people with Alzheimer's in the UK, a number predicted to double in the next 20 years

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for around two thirds of dementia in the elderly

There is no cure, long-term treatment or prevention for Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Research Trust provides free information on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: phone 01223 843899 or visit www.alzheimers-research.org.uk. The charity relies solely on public donations to fund its research

For further information about the Alzheimer's Research Trust, please contact Chris Duncan on 0207 815 3955 or email chris.duncan@munroforster.com