Eight new research projects, that will explore a variety of techniques and technology aimed at improving detection and diagnosis of dementias, are to receive over £8 million in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) it was announced today.
The successful projects were selected following a peer review panel and were developed in response to the Sensing and Imaging for Diagnosis of Dementias (SIDD) call issued by EPSRC in December 2013.
The research will involve academics from 11 UK universities who will investigate different uses of sensing and imaging. These include:
Life Sciences Minister, George Freeman said; "Britain is already a world leader in clinical research and it's right that we are harnessing this expertise to help tackle one of the biggest health challenges of our time; dementia. This investment will lead to improved detection and diagnosis of dementia and ultimately deliver better care for patients."
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC's Chief Executive, says: "The UK faces a huge challenge over the coming decades, we have an aging population and a likely rise in the numbers of people suffering from dementias. These research projects will improve our abilities to detect and understand dementias and how the disease progresses.
"The development of new healthcare technologies and improved clinical care are being made possible by advances in engineering, physical sciences and mathematics and we must continue to support these fields to improve the quality of life of our population."
For further press information please contact the EPSRC press office:
01793 444 404 or email pressoffice@epsrc.ac.uk
Notes for Editors
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the UK's main agency for funding research in engineering and physical sciences. EPSRC invests around £800m a year in research and postgraduate training, to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change. The areas covered range from information technology to structural engineering, and mathematics to materials science. This research forms the basis for future economic development in the UK and improvements for everyone's health, lifestyle and culture. EPSRC works alongside other Research Councils with responsibility for other areas of research. The Research Councils work collectively on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK.