Campaigners hope Scotland’s first national brain health and dementia strategy will speed up the time it takes for research to be put into practice.

Developed by Alzheimer Scotland, the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium and Brain Health Scotland, the strategy will look to create the conditions to enable the highest quality brain health and dementia research to be carried out.

Endorsed by a number of national organisations including NHS Research Scotland, the plan means that Scotland is among the first countries in the world to develop a government sponsored, standalone research strategy in this area.

The authors hope it will serve as a framework for other organisations to use as they develop their own action plans, and lead to brain health and dementia research boards being set up across Scotland.

Dr Terry Quinn, NHS Research Scotland Ageing Clinical Lead and Scottish Brain Health and Dementia Strategy committee member, said the key is to support research and take it into practice:

“The primary purpose of this strategy is to facilitate relevant high-quality research that translates rapidly into health and social care practice as effectively as possible.

“The strategy, particularly with the creation of the local and national brain health and dementia research boards, will help to generate enthusiasm, martial resources, extend equality, diversity and inclusion, and pool talent in an endeavour that ultimately will improve the lives of everyone participating in, and affected by, research into brain health and dementia in Scotland.”

Two of the most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia. It is not known exactly what the cause is and a lack of treatments mean dementia is a progressive and terminal condition.

Around 90,000 people currently live with dementia in Scotland – making up two thirds of the care home population. A 74% increase in the number of Scots with dementia is expected between 2020 and 2040.

Other strategic priorities identified in the new plan include establishing a national forum that oversees the local research boards and provides a rapid research-review service to ensure research translates into practise as quickly as possible.

A review should be undertaken, the strategy states, of the current state of play when it comes to research careers in brain health and dementia, to identify bottlenecks and barriers.

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