Rays of Hope - Alzheimer's Research UK

We are the UK's leading dementia research charity. We have now funded 389 research projects across the UK with a value of nearly £40 million. Right now we are supporting 125 projects worth over £18.5 million. All of this research, carried out in leading universities by top scientists, is only possible because of your support, thank you.

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We have been extending our influence as a leading member of the Ministerial Advisory Group for Dementia Research (MAGDR), and in June, MAGDR published a headline report and 'Route Map for Dementia Research'.

£18 million will be allocated to four biomedical dementia research units and funding for neurodegeneration research will be increased by 10% over the next 4 years to £150 million by 2015.

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We are one of the top 3 most cited non-statutory funders of dementia research in the world.

Selina Wray is one of our world-class scientists working to defeat dementia. Her research is about converting skin cells into stem cells and then on into neurons. Her fascinating blog explains her pioneering science with the aid of diagrams that bring her research to life.

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Dr Paul Hopkins at King's College, London, discovered how the gene APOE4 contributes to the production of amyloid and the development of Alzheimer's. APOE4 binds to a protein in the brain called TMCC2. When these bound proteins were present the team also found amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's. If we can change the activity of this gene, we may be able to prevent the development of the disease.

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We invested a record £5.1 million into 58 new dementia research grants and projects in 2011 - our largest investment in research ever in one year.

The largest grant of £350,000 was awarded to researchers at the University of Cambridge, whose major project uses stem cells to recreate Alzheimer's in the lab, in an effort to pinpoint the causes of the disease.

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A government campaign launches to improve diagnosis rates of dementia, as new statistics show six out of ten people with the condition in England go undiagnosed.

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In October the OPTIMA team led by Prof David Smith revealed new findings suggesting a link between vitamin D and Alzheimer's. Maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D is known to be important for preventing a number of diseases including rickets and osteoporosis. However, the effects of this vitamin appear to be more far-reaching, with new preliminary evidence that it may play a role in keeping our brains healthy.

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This year we put the fun into fundraising with the launch of four exciting ways you can help defeat dementia:

• Target Twelve Hundred - a challenge to raise £1200 in twelve months
• Cook for a Cure - a dinner party with a difference
• Battle of the Brains - put your wits to the test in our fun quiz
• Big Walk – our first organised walk through Cambridgeshire in May

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Staff and customers of Iceland Foods have raised over £1.2 million to help research into early onset Alzheimer's. Dione Priddy's husband Mark was just 36 when he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. Sadly, Mark passed away at the age of 41, just two weeks before the Dione took on the Virgin London Marathon. But Dione was determined to go ahead and raised an incredible £18,000.

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Last year we shared the discovery of three new genes by our Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Julie Williams. Now, the groundbreaking international study has discovered five more genes linked to Alzheimer's disease, bringing the total of known genes associated with late onset Alzheimer's to ten.

Julie Williams, explains the significance of her findings.

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Following the first study of its kind, Dr Pat Kehoe and his team at our network centre in Bristol have announced that particular blood pressure drugs could actually reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

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Our scientists learn more about the brain and dementia every day and the Brain Tour showcases our progress. With hundreds of projects underway looking at causes, diagnosis and treatment, you are helping us defeat dementia. Thank you.

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