UK: Government to invest £375 million in neurodegenerative disease research, 2021

[Sly Saint]

• Funding includes at least £50 million for motor neurone disease (MND) related research to find a cure
• New National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Motor Neurone Disease Research Unit to attract more innovative research applications

People living with neurodegenerative diseases could live longer, healthier lives due to innovative new research, following a government commitment to invest £375 million over the next 5 years.

At least £50 million will be made available specifically for research to help find a cure for MND – a condition that affects the brain and nerves and affects 5,000 people in the UK. New, innovative projects will help researchers to better understand the disease and its related conditions, develop and test treatments and improve care for those living with MND.

The full £375 million investment will fund projects into a range of diseases such as Pick’s Disease, Fronto-temporal dementia, wernicke-korsakoff, Parkinson’s disease dementia, Lewy Body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment, improving our understanding while searching for new treatments.

For MND, a new NIHR research unit will be set up to co-ordinate research applications for the new funding, encouraging more innovative studies with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...million-in-neurodegenerative-disease-research

 

[Haveyoutriedyoga]

Do we know whether MND was considered in that study where they found ME is funded at about 7.4% commensurate to quality of life and disease burden? Would be interesting to know whether it was deemed to be poorly funded.

 

[Trish]

I'm glad MND is getting research funding, along with other listed diseases. They all cause dreadful suffering.

 

[Wonko]

I am surprised to see MCI on the list, I was not aware it was classified as a neurodegenerative disease.

I have a diagnosis of MCI, have had for about a decade, the consultant ventured no opinion but I suspect that in my case it's secondary, an effect of, ME.

I am not aware of any treatment options, or research, I was told that no action would be taken until it progressed into something they could be bothered to treat.

So research funding - is good.

 

[CRG]

The usual trick of putting a multi year figure in the headline, which will be endlessly repeated year on year making it appear that the investment is 5 times higher than it is. £75 million a year appears to be an increase on this area of research but it needs picking through the accounts to see whether this is all real new money or just old promises repackaged. Interesting Hansard debate here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commo...27-4531040E8228/MotorNeuroneDisease(Research)

 

[DokaGirl]

The usual trick of putting a multi year figure in the headline, which will be endlessly repeated year on year making it appear that the investment is 5 times higher than it is. £75 million a year appears to be an increase on this area of research but it needs picking through the accounts to see whether this is all real new money or just old promises repackaged. Interesting Hansard debate here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commo...27-4531040E8228/MotorNeuroneDisease(Research)

Yes, recycling the funding announcements, a favorite trick of governments in Canada too

Good to see this funding for these diseases.

 

[DigitalDrifter]

Does any one know how much the government spends towards ME per year? Also how much of it goes towards quack psychosocial research?

Mod note: discussion here - Funding of ME/CFS research in the UK