A “big, bold global push” is needed to beat dementia, David Cameron has told a summit in London.
He pledged to accelerate progress on dementia drugs, by increasing funding and making new drugs more accessible. The prime minister was speaking to an audience of 300 experts who have pledged to find a cure by 2025.
He wants a team of experts to report back to him on how drugs companies can be encouraged to develop new dementia medicines. In his speech, he told experts that dementia is one of the “greatest enemies of humanity”.
So what is dementia?
The often misunderstood condition of dementia is caused by a number of diseases that affect the brain, the most common being Alzheimer’s.
The condition often starts with short-term memory loss, but it can also affect the way that people think, speak and do things, although symptoms can differ from person to person. Imagine the brain as a string of fairy lights, with each light representing a different skill such as memory, speech or movement. The action of dementia on the brain is as if some of the lights are flickering on and off, whilst others go out for good, and some continue to work as normal.
The 10 signs of Dementia:
Dementia can significantly affect a person's lifestyle - here are the key signs and symptoms to look out for...
- Struggling to remember recent events but easily recalling the past
- Finding it hard to follow conversations or programmes on TV
- Quickly losing the thread of a conversation
- Forgetting the names of friends or everyday objects
- Repeating sentences
- Difficulty with thinking and reasoning
- Feeling anxious, depressed or angry about forgetfulness
- Others commenting on their forgetfulness
- Confused even when in a familiar environment
- A decline in the ability to talk, read or write
The diagnosis process:
Only 48% of people with dementia are professionally diagnosed, yet a timely diagnosis may help gain access to medication that can help slow the progression. Catching the condition early can also allow a person with dementia to plan and make arrangements for the future.
2. Consult your GP
Your GP is the first person to speak to, they can help rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. A doctor can also help identify other possible causes of confusion, such as poor sight or hearing, emotional traumas such as bereavement, or medication side-effects.
2. Referral
Your GP may then refer the person being diagnosed to a specialist consultant, for further assessment and possibly a brain scan.
Further Information and support: Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society Research and Development directorate work closely with different groups and organisations who are dedicated to dementia research.
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