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

    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...

    Early Career Researchers: Emma Elliott

    Today we have a new blog from Emma Elliott, a PhD student from the University of Glasgow.  It follows on from the August Early Career Researcher series on the SDRC website: read all our most recent blogs here. Find out more about Emma's research below: I’m in the...

    COVID Impact on ECRs: Miriam Scarpa

    In the coming days, the SDRC are publishing a series of blogs featuring Early Career Researchers who are sharing how COVID has impacted their research and career prospects. The first blogs in this series also featured in our COVID Research Impact Report which we...

    Life Sciences Event with the SDRC, SULSA, Brain Health Scotland & Alzheimer Scotland

    On the 26-27 May 2022, the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA), the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium, Brain Health Scotland and Alzheimer Scotland hosted world leaders in Life Sciences at a summit at the University of St Andrews.  This two-day...

    Menopause and Brain Health in Scotland

    In this blog, Rachel Tulloch, post-diagnostic support link worker and PhD student at King’s College London, shares findings from the early stages of her research project on Women’s Brain Health and the Menopause.

    Scottish Neurological Research Fund 2021: Award Announcement

    We have produced a report based on the findings of how COVID-19 has impacted our members’ research- with particular focus on ECRs

    Early Career Researchers: Juan Varela

    This week, the SDRC are publishing a series of blogs to PhD Students/ Early Career Researchers that were featured in the SDRC Annual Report 2019/20. Today's blog is from Juan Varela from the University of St Andrews  My academic background is a mixture of physics,...

    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...

    The SDRC Impact Report 2019- Prevention Theme

    Dementia Prevention, is one of the themes of the SDRC, which focus on the interrelated areas of dementia research. Theme lead- and SDRC chair- Professor Craig Ritchie, has written a section dedicated to the research across Scotland on dementia prevention and brain...

    SDRC Virtual Conference 2020

    This message is to inform you that in response to coronavirus and in anticipation of an ever-changing landscape, our Annual Scottish Dementia Research Consortium Conference scheduled for 20 April and the Early Career Researcher Workshop on 21 April 2020 will now be...

    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

    SDRC Research Mapping 2025

    SDRC Research Mapping 2025   Each year, the SDRC conducts a mapping exercise to determine Scotland’s contributions to brain health and dementia research. Here, we share the dataset that informed the completion of our mapping exercise for 2025. The aims of the...

    Nominations open for the SDRC Executive Committee

    Nominations open for the SDRC Executive Committee   The Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC) is inviting members to put themselves forward for election to the SDRC Executive Committee. There are a number of vacancies available, including one position...

    Alzheimer Scotland Student Research Programme 2027: applications open

    Alzheimer Scotland Student Research Programme 2027: applications open   Alzheimer Scotland, working with the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC), is pleased to announce the 2027 round of the Alzheimer Scotland Student Research Programme. The Programme...

    SNRF Round 4

    The Scottish Neurological Research Fund (SNRF) Round 4   The Scottish Neurological Research fund provides an opportunity for early career researchers working in different academic centres with a chance to test out ideas, researching the causes, prevention and...

    Funding Opportunity: Alzheimer Scotland Student Research Programme

    Alzheimer Scotland Student Research Programme The fourth round of the Alzheimer Scotland Student Research Programme is now closed to new applications. Thank you to those who have applied, we will contact you with an outcome in due course. We invite applications on the...

    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

    Research Study: DETERMIND seldom heard groups 

    The DETERMIND project is the largest national research program currently running designed to explore the lived experiences of people with dementia and their carers, with the aim of reducing inequalities and improving access to care services.   Currently, they are...

    Are you recruiting for a research study? Let us know!

    If you are a dementia or brain health researcher based in Scotland and are looking for participants for a project the SDRC can help.  Simply fill out the form below, and we can add your study to our recruitment page along with features in our newsletter and social...

    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.