Part of Marion’s journey is that she volunteers to participate in Dementia Research at University of Glasgow. It is once a month commitment for her to attend the medical facility where she is put through a series of tests to see how she is doing in the long journey that she is taking to help the scientists to work out what happens to the brain when dementia strikes.
We had good news last August when the new drug Lecanemab was pronounced ready for use, But because of its cost it will not be made available on the NHS. It is helpful in the early stages of dementia because it slows down the brain decline but it is not for use for those who have been living with dementia for some years. The government have now approved a screening test for young people who may have inherited a family gene, which is rare. If they do show positive signs of early cognitive decline they could be offered the new drug.
Taking part in Brain research applies to everyone, not just those who have got the diagnosis. Please do consider participating – most of it happens online completing questionnaires and being honest about what you eat and drink.