News Release
Alzheimer’s Research in Focus
1st May 2009
The importance of developing an Alzheimer’s research centre of excellence will be highlighted at an annual public meeting this month.
The Alzheimer’s Research Trust (ART) Northern Ireland Network Centre will host its second annual event at the Waterfront Hall in the city centre on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
Health professionals caring for people with dementia will give a number of talks at the event, which is open to everyone and free to attend.
The public meeting was organized by Dr Christian Holscher from the University of Ulster and Dr Janet Johnston from QUB.
“Considering the changing age profile of the population in Northern Ireland and the important position of Alzheimer’s disease within health care policy, it is important that we develop a cluster of excellence in the very important area of Alzheimer’s research in Northern Ireland,” said Dr Holscher, who is a Senior Lecturer in Neurobiology.
“The Alzheimer’s Research Trust network here will be the catalyst for bringing people together and lay the foundation for future projects, collaborations, funding, and public visibility.”
The Centre in Northern Ireland is jointly managed by Dr Johnston and Dr Holscher. Dr Johnston, from the Centre for Public Health at QUB, said: “The Alzheimer’s Research Trust is the major UK charity funding research into Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
“The charity established a network of centres across the UK to link researchers working on Alzheimer’s disease, and we are delighted to have such a Centre in Northern Ireland.
“The meeting will be of interest to anyone caring for people with dementia, whether in a professional setting or at home, and we hope as many as possible will attend.”
Alison Cranage from the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, who will be speaking at the event, said: “We are proud to be funding this excellent centre in Northern Ireland.
“Work that is taking place in Northern Ireland is moving us closer to understanding and treating this devastating disease.”
Both the University of Ulster and Queen’s University have ongoing research projects which are funded by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust.
This research has not only attracted additional funding and support from other sources, but has also generated interest from the commercial sector and initiated further projects that could lead to new investments for product development.
Anyone wishing to attend the public meeting which will include a question and answer session on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, between 7pm and 9pm, can contact Karen Coyles on 028 70323091 or email km.coyles@ulster.ac.uk.
The Alzheimer’s Research Trust is the leading UK research charity for dementia, funding world class research to find ways to cure, prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
ART funds a UK-wide network of researchers – the Northern Ireland Centre in this network was established in 2007. Lady Sylvia Hermon, MP, has recently agreed to be the patron of the Centre.
For further information, please contact:
Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter
