Alzheimer's disease research group (ADRG)

Abstract

In these last few years, there has been a growing consensus in Europe and beyond on the need of increasing research on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias. The societal impact and financial consequences of these diseases are already being felt and will continue to grow with the projected rise in the elderly population. Currently, there are over 35 million individuals with dementia worldwide, a figure that will treble by the year 2050. It has been estimated that formal and informal dementia care costs a total of €445 billion (2009 data),' equivalent to 1 % of the global gross domestic product. It is therefore not surprising that the European Union supports various funding programmes in the hope of enhancing diagnosis, provide better treatment and improve care pathways and support for individuals with dementia, their caregivers and relatives.