Dementia research studies
Find out more about our current dementia research studies and how you can get involved.
Our Dementia Research Unit focuses on drug development for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and memory problems, as well as trials and observational studies looking at therapeutic options.
We value the opportunity to be involved in worldwide research studies that are funded by pharmaceutical companies. These studies are usually clinical trials that have the potential to make major breakthroughs in the treatment of long-term mental illness, such as dementia.
We're currently conducting a number of industry-sponsored trials and has a growing reputation for setting up, carrying out and completing trials to the highest standard. We work with a range of leading pharmaceutical companies to develop breakthrough drugs that will ultimately improve services and care.
Alongside working with industry and academic partners, we believe that the people who use NHS services and those who work in the NHS, should have the opportunity to take part in, and benefit from, research.
If you would like to learn more about the type of research we do, and receive study updates, you might like to join our Research Network - our community of patients, staff and anyone interested in mental health research.
The National Institute of Health Research manages Join Dementia Research which is a register to help you connect with dementia research locally and nationally.
The Dementia Research Unit
The Dementia Research Unit offers patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials, as well as other therapeutic options. Most studies examine the effect and impact of new medications on the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, or look at the way in which current medications can be repurposed to help people with the disease. Most dementia clinical trials explore ways to reduce the damage that harmful proteins cause in the brain as the disease progresses with a view to slowing down and reducing the impact that dementia has on patient’s lives.
How do clinical trials work?
Patients are usually randomised into one of two groups and may receive a new treatment or a placebo. As part of the data collection process, we use questionnaires to ask patients about the impact that the disease has on everyday life, assess their memory and cognition, and also gather information from their carer.
Although lots of safety data has already been gathered about new medications before they are used with research participants, most of our clinical studies are designed to include people in the early stages of their illness with quite mild symptoms, who are generally in good physical health. This is both to ensure patient’s safety and means that data collected is as unbiased as possible. Although some study visits can be conducted at home, most of our research requires patients to come to the clinic in Crowborough or Brighton on several occasions. Travel costs are reimbursed or we can book a taxi if this is more convenient.
Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK and it's hoped that research will help us find a cure.
What types of research takes place at the Dementia Research Unit?
Examples of the type of research that you may be able to volunteer for include:
- Medication studies
- Completing questionnaires and interviews
- Imaging studies (x-rays and scans)
- Lifestyle, diet and exercise studies
- Observation studies
- Giving your opinion about treatments received
Volunteering for a research study
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering for a study, our team will discuss this with you, your carer or relatives and anyone else you wish to involve. We will inform you of possible benefits and potential risks, so you can decide if you wish to take part. You will be told about the time commitment, which varies from study to study, as well as the possibility of receiving a placebo or being in the control group in a study. If you choose to take part, your routine clinical care will not be affected.
Why should I take part?
Some patients who volunteer say they are doing so to help improve treatments for future generations, as well as potentially experiencing the benefits of new medications themselves. In addition, all of our study participants receive close physical health monitoring throughout the trials they take part in, which usually includes regular blood tests, ECGs and sometimes tests such as MRI or PET scans. Our friendly team of research nurses and clinical research coordinators will do everything they can to make your experience, and that of the person accompanying you, as pleasant as possible. We have a lovely space at our unit, within Crowborough Hospital, and look forward to welcoming you.
Contact
If you know someone who may be interested in taking part in a clinical trial, or would like to find out more about dementia research please contact us. You will be under no obligation to take part:
Dementia Research Unit, Grove House, South View Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1HB
Call: 01892 603107 (please leave an answerphone message and we will call you back)
What is the study about?
The trial will look at the use of a drug called Memantine for treatment of people with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) symptoms. The aim of the trial is to find out if Memantine treatment can help improve overall health and functioning for people with DLB or PDD.
Who is running the study?
The trial is sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and funded by the Health Technology Assessment | NIHR
Why is the study being run?
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) are related complex illnesses with a wide range of distressing symptoms. People with DLB/PDD have worse quality of life, more complex symptoms, higher care costs, and are more sensitive to medications than people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEI) are commonly used medicines that can help people with DLB/PDD by improving day to day functioning and thinking abilities. Another drug which might help is Memantine, used to treat moderate to severe confusion in AD. It may help to improve memory, awareness and the ability to perform daily functions; however, it is not clear if adding Memantine to AChEI is beneficial for people with DLB/PDD.
The aim of this trial is to find out if adding Memantine to AChEI improves overall health and functioning for people with DLB or PDD.
What will taking part involve?
If you agree to take part you will join one of two trial treatment groups for 12 months:
- a placebo (‘dummy’ drug) group OR
- a medication (Memantine) group
You will have planned visits and phone calls with the local trial team, who will ask you about your symptoms, how you feel and your study treatment.
A family member or person who knows you well will also be asked to answer questions about your symptoms and about how they are feeling.
Who can take part?
Potential participants should be currently taking cholinesterase inhibitors
Contact details
- For more information please email spft.
dementiaresearchunit or call 01892 603107 (please leave a message).@nhs.net - Further information can be found on the study website: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/cobalttrial/
COGNIKET-MCI is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, multi-country, pivotal trial to study the effects of a nutritional intervention of ketogenic medium-chain triglycerides (kMCT) and B-vitamins on cognitive functioning in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
What is the study about?
Société des Produits Nestlé has developed a nutritional formulation, called BrainXpert intended for dietary management of people with mild cognitive impairment. The purpose of the COGNIKET-MCI studies is to learn about the efficacy of BrainXpert and understand its long-term tolerability, when compared with placebo, when taken twice daily over 12 months in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Who is running the study?
The study sponsor is Société des Produits Nestlé and it is being run by Professor Tabet and the team at the Dementia Research Unit.
Why should you take part?
• Participants will be helping others by contributing to medical research.
• Participants' condition will be checked as long as their participation in the trial lasts.
• The nutritional product may help to improve their condition.
What will taking part involve?
The study will be explained fully to you and your partner, it includes:
• 2 intervention periods: a blinded intervention period (the first 52 weeks) and an open-label intervention period (the final 26 weeks).
• Taking BrainXpert/Placebo twice daily over 18 months
This trial has a screening visit and 4 study visits at the centre, which involves
• Physical examination
• Memory tests and questionnaires on how well you manage daily routines
• Blood samples
Who can take part?
You may be able to take part if you:
• are at least 60 years of age
• Have a diagnosis of Mild cognitive impairment
• Have a study partner who is willing and able to attend trial visits.
How can I take part?
If you would like to hear more about the study please leave a message on our voicemail with your name and telephone number giving the reference ‘COGNIKET-MCI study’. We will give you a call back and tell you more about the study and can arrange to send you some written information. Alternatively, you can email or write to us using the details below:
Contact details
Atsuko Fujisawa or Alice Russell
Clinical Research Coordinators
Dementia Research Unit,
Grove House,
Crowborough TN6 1HB
Office Tel: 01892 603107 (Please leave a message)
Email: spft.
What is the study about?
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of pre-existing Type 2 Diabetes and dementia on the way people present to the memory clinic, their diagnosis, outlook, mental health, and carer support.
This is a feasibility study. In this study, we aim to determine the feasibility of assessing and following up two groups of patients with dementia for one year.
One group will have both dementia and Type 2 Diabetes, and the other group will have dementia without Type 2 Diabetes. This will help us understand the impact of Type 2 Diabetes on dementia, in comparison to those without Type 2 Diabetes.
Who is running the study?
This study is sponsored by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
The researcher is Dr Ain Nizam who is a part-time Psychiatry doctor, and part-time PhD student at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. This research study is part of her PhD studies, and she is supervised by a supervisory team led by Professor Naji Tabet, Professor of Dementia at the Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
Why is the study being run?
This study will help us understand the impact of Type 2 Diabetes on dementia, in comparison to those without Type 2 Diabetes.
Why should you take part?
Your participation will contribute to the future benefit of individuals with dementia and their caregivers, as the results of this study will be used to assess the feasibility of conducting larger studies in this topic.
What will taking part involve?
We will invite you and your carer to an interview at the start of the study and another interview the end of the study. During the interviews, you and your carer will be asked to complete some questionnaires.
If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you will be asked to keep a record of any significant diabetes-related incidents requiring medical attention (e.g. low blood sugar levels), hospital admissions related to diabetes, and changes in diabetes medications during the 1-year study period. You and your study partner will be given a sheet to record these events.
There is a further interview where up to 12 participants with both dementia and Type 2 diabetes, alongside their carer, will be invited to talk about their hopes, concerns, expectations for the future, and their views about the care they have been receiving.
Who can take part?
If you can say yes to all these statements, you are welcome to take part:
- You have attended one of the memory clinics at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust;
- You have a diagnosis of dementia and possibly a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes; and
- You have a carer who is willing to take part as a study partner throughout the study and attend interviews together with you. Please refer to the separate Carer (Study Partner) Participant Information Sheet which will be provided.
How can I take part?
If you have any questions about this study, wish to discuss taking part or have any concerns, you can contact the researcher organising the study.
Contact details:
Dr Ain Nizam
T: 01892 603107
E: spft.
Dementia Research Unit,
Grove House,
Southview Road, Crowborough,
East Sussex TN6 1HB
What is the study about?
This study will adapt the Coping Strategy Enhancement (CSE) intervention, which is a non-pharmacological intervention, used to reduce the distress that is associated with hallucinations. This intervention will be adapted for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their family carers.
Who is running the study?
This first and last phase (Co-adapt and co-evaluate) will be conducted in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT). Whereas the trial will be conducted across two sites: SPFT and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW). The study will be conducted in a blend of face- to- face meetings or virtually. Amaani Al-Azzawi is working on this study as part of her PhD research.
What is the possible impact?
There are currently no non-pharmacological interventions that exist to support PLWD and their family carers to manage hallucinatory experiences, despite this being a common experience. The Coping Strategy Enhancement (CSE) intervention has been utilized with a range of patient groups across the lifespan and diagnoses and been found to be beneficial.
What will taking part involve?
Take part in 2-3 focus group meetings to co-adapt the CSE, and or participants will receive 4, 1 hour sessions of therapy with a clinical psychologist. The lead researcher will conduct a final assessment meeting and deliver exit interviews.
Who can take part?
- Focus group participants (Phases 1+4): Co-adapt and co-evaluate: PLWD, family carers of PLWD and clinicians that work with PLWD.
- Trial Participants (Phases 2+3): To receive the adapted intervention: PLWD and their family carers.
Contact details and further info
Dementia Research Unit, Grove House, Crowborough TN6 1HB
Tel: 01892 603107 (please leave a message)
Email: spft.
Amaani Al-Azzawi (Doctoral Researcher at Brighton and Sussex Medical School) presented a poster at the Alzheimer Europe Conference in Geneva, Switzerland in October 2024. This conference theme was “New Horizons-Innovating for Dementia”. The poster is based on the protocol of her empirical PhD research study: The OASIS study- A co-adaptation and co-evaluation of the Coping Strategy Enhancement intervention, in the context of hallucinations in dementia.
The poster was submitted within the sub-theme of ‘inclusion and intersectionality in dementia research’. This poster highlights the involvement of people with lived experience (PLWD, carers and clinicians) in the research study, from an initial scoping review and co-adaptation of the bespoke intervention materials to continual consultation with a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP). Amaani welcomed the chance to share the work that Sussex Partnership and the Sussex Voices Clinic are supporting, with international peers. See the poster here.
What is the study about?
OASIS-CARE is a survey which aims to understand the knowledge, confidence and approaches that care home staff have towards supporting people living with dementia who experience hallucinations, in care home settings.
Who is running the study?
- The study is sponsored by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- The Principal Investigator is Professor Mark Hayward.
- The study opened in October 2025 and will be open until March 2026.
What is the possible impact?
By identifying gaps in knowledge, confidence, and approaches towards hallucinations, the survey can inform targeted training programs for non-pharmacological support for hallucinations in care homes.
Why should you take part?
- £5 voucher for completing all compulsory questions on the survey.
- Contributing to research for people living in care homes.
- Research certificate upon request.
What will taking part involve?
Completing a 10-15 minute survey online.
Who can take part?
Any person who has a working role in a care home in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Contact details
Researcher contact for more details: a.
Parent study: Feasibility trial of an non-pharmacological intervention for hallucinations in dementia- the OASIS Trial- https://
What is the study about?
Up until now this type of MRI scanning and analysis has been limited to research projects. This study aims to find out whether these new ways of looking at MRI brain scans are useful to help with diagnosis and prognosis of memory and thinking problems. We will therefore be working with research groups and with commercial companies to design tests on MRI scans that can be used in the memory clinic.
Read this BBC news report to find out more about the study.
Who is running the study?
Cambridge University Hospital and the University of Cambridge
Why is the study being run?
New types of brain scan analysis using computer algorithms may be better than standard MRI reporting to measure changes to the brain in disease.
Why should you take part?
If there is no reason that you cannot have an MRI scan, you will be invited for a scan. If the study is successful in its stated aims, then it will help us to use these advanced MRI technologies to improve the diagnosis of brain disorders.
What will taking part involve? This would be very similar to an MRI scan you would have on the NHS. Usually an NHS MRI scan lasts 10-15 minutes, the study the scan is slightly longer, lasting around 30 minutes.
Who can take part?
All patients in whom the treating clinician considers neuroimaging to be part of the usual diagnostic pathway will be included in the study.
How can I take part?
Speak with your clinician about the study during your initial memory assessment appointment.
Contact details
Tel: 01892 603107
What is the study about?
Now open in Sussex, READ-OUT is a study is looking to better understand which blood biomarkers perform best in diagnosing Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer's dementias. It is undertaking broad, nationwide blood sampling at 29 sites, including SPFT. This will assist the NHS by researching how biomarker testing can be implemented both sustainably and at scale as well as considering the cost-saving benefits of large volume biomarker testing.
It is part of the multi-million-pound Blood Biomarker Challenge – a 5-year programme which aims to revolutionise dementia diagnosis. It is supported by Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Gates Ventures, and players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Its goal is to bring blood tests for dementia diagnosis into the NHS by 2029.
The 5 year Programme
The READ-OUT team (REAl World Dementia OUTcomes) for the first 3 years will run a fact-finding study that will take blood tests in around at least 28 Dementias Platform UK sites across the UK, involving 3000 people from diverse populations.
In the final 2 years, the team will run a clinical trial with 880 people to explore how having a blood test for dementia affects diagnosis and quality of life, patients and carers, impact on care and how the results should be communicated to patients.
For clinicians and the NHS, it will them to understand the best type of biomarker assessment having studied approaches with volunteers across the UK. This will include use of postal bloods tests and how assay testing can be rolled out across the UK.
Who is funding the study?
READ-OUT was awarded £4.5 million by the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Gates Ventures including £5m raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The project aims to revolutionise dementia diagnosis.
Who can take part?
We're looking for people aged over 45 with memory issues or a dementia diagnosis.
How can I take part?
Please click this link for more information
Contact our Dementia Research Unit if you would like to talk to someone about taking part in Sussex:
What is the study about?
Sandbox is a major UK study testing innovative ways to diagnose dementia earlier using blood tests, genetic screening, and digital assessments.
It will evaluate a new, biologically informed triage system that begins after GP referral, using artificial intelligence, digital cognitive testing, Alzheimer’s-specific blood biomarkers, and testing of genetic factors relevant to dementia. These tools support diagnostic clarity and help clinicians better prioritise patients based on risk and urgency.
Who is running the study?
This study is funded by Prima Mente and led by Imperial College London.
Why is the study being run?
By assessing the feasibility, cost, and cost-effectiveness of this approach, the study aims to complement existing diagnostic pathways and leverage recent advancements in dementia biomarker technology.
Why should you take part?
Participants will gain valuable insights into their APOE4 status, which may inform future clinical decisions and support personalised care. The study will also provide essential data on the feasibility and utility of integrating novel biomarkers and digital cognitive testing into dementia diagnostic pathways, potentially revolutionising patient care.
What will taking part involve?
5 visits over 12 months: 2 in-person visits for blood tests and assessments, plus 3 remote activities you can complete from home including cognitive assessments.
Who can take part?
- Aged 50 or over
- referred to a memory clinic by your GP
- experiencing memory or thinking difficulties
- no current diagnosis of dementia
In Sussex, this study is available for patients within our High Weald, Lewes and Haven Memory Assessment Service
More information
Please click here to read more information in a news release from the study team
Contact details
Email: Spft.
Tel: 01892 603107
What is the study about?
The Time for Dementia Project is an educational programme looking to improve the understanding, attitude and knowledge of health care professionals about dementia. See our film about Time for Dementia.
Who is running the study?
Time for Dementia is led by the Brighton and Sussex Medical School as part of multi stakeholder collaboration between teaching colleagues, undergraduate healthcare students, families living with dementia, researchers, Alzheimer’s Society and other universities.
Since its inception in 2015, the programme has been delivered at seven universities and across nine different professional courses.
Why is the study being run?
The project aims to improve healthcare student knowledge, attitudes and empathy towards people with dementia and their caregivers. Additionally, the project aims to provide students with a more balanced view of what it is like to live with dementia both from the perspective of the person with dementia and the caregiver, as well as increased insight into living with other physical health problems. They will take this knowledge with them in their healthcare careers. Students taking part in the programme include: medical, nursing, paramedic, radiography, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy students.
Why should you take part?
The benefits to students and families are being comprehensively evaluated. Responses from both students and families have been positive. Families felt motivated to take part in the programme to raise awareness and increase knowledge about what it's really like to live with and care for someone with dementia. Many families felt taking part was of value to them to see the impact their involvement has on student learning. They describe the visits as fun, friendly, sociable and enjoyable.
A key long-term goal is to influence national dementia education policy and to promote the Time for Dementia programme as a new way of building understanding in dementia and other health conditions for healthcare professionals in their undergraduate training.
A comprehensive dissemination manual will be developed to advise other higher education institutions on how to deliver a similar programme to ensure optimum cost-effectiveness. The model can also be rolled out to other conditions, for example Time for Autism is currently in development and will be implemented at BSMS.
What will taking part involve?
The project involves having a pair of trainee healthcare professionals visit a family who has experience of dementia. The students visit for a two-year period through their training three times a year for 1-2 hours at a time. The students speak to both a person with a diagnosis of dementia and also a family carer. Each visit is a relaxed conversation within the person’s home where the students hear about what it is like to live with a diagnosis of dementia and what it is like to support a loved one with dementia. If you and your carer are happy to take part in the Time for Dementia programme, you may be invited to take part in the research study.
Who can take part?
People with dementia and their carers
How can I take part?
Please contact the Time for Dementia team - details below.
Contact details
If you are a family living with dementia and are interested in taking part in the programme, please contact the Time for Dementia Team:
Call: 07484 089562
Email: timefordementia
Follow us on twitter: @Time4Dementia
Find out more
Read more about the programme.
Read more on the Alzheimers UK website
This film was made in 2016, but explains the benefits of the programme
The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 5 study will test if an investigational medicine is safe and effective in people with symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease. The study will take up to 1 year 10 months. Study participants will get study medicine by infusion. For every two study participants, one will get investigational medicine and one will get placebo.
Who is running the study?
The study sponsor is Eli Lilly and Company Limited
What is the possible impact?
Researchers think the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease could be caused by a build-up of amyloid proteins in the brain. These amyloid proteins can stick together and form tiny clumps known as amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques may lead to problems with memory and thinking. The investigational medicine being tested in the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 5 study may remove amyloid plaques and could slow memory loss.
Why should you take part?
Taking part in this study means you are actively involved in medical research. All study participants will help improve our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and may help make new medicines a reality.
If you decide to take part, you will get at no cost to you:
- All study-related medicines, care, and check-ins.
- Access to specialized doctors and research teams.
What will taking part involve?
Study participants will have about 22 planned visits.
Study participants will get study medicine by infusion. You will also need to complete questionnaires, additional electrocardiograms (ECGs), MRI scans, PET scans, (which you would not have to otherwise). MRI/PET scans may take place at a different location to where the study visits normally take place, your study doctor will let you know.
Who can take part?
You may be able to join this study if you:
- Are aged 60 to 85 years old.
- Have memory loss that has gotten worse over time.
- Have a trusted study partner.
A study partner is a person who knows you well and would notice any changes in your memory, mood, and behaviour. This could be your spouse, partner, friend, family member, or someone whose job it is to help you. Your study partner would also consent to the research study.
How can I take part?
Please contact the Dementia Research Unit:
E: spft.
T: 01892 603107 (please do leave a message with contact details if no reply and we will get back to you).