In a huge moment for dementia research in the UK: one hundred thousand people have signed up to take part in dementia research studies through Join Dementia Research!
This incredible milestone shows just how many people are ready to make a difference when they know how to get involved. It’s a powerful reminder that research brings hope.
Because of people who volunteer to take part in research studies, people affected by dementia in the future won’t face the same heartbreak as they do today.
But scientists still need more volunteers. Research is the only way that we can understand more about diseases like Alzheimer’s and keep making progress for everyone affected.
Research isn’t just about testing new drugs. Dementia studies also include interviews, surveys, memory tests and research into care, support and daily life. All of this research is vital – and it relies on people with a wide range of experiences choosing to take part.
Anyone in the UK over the age of 18 can sign up – whether you have dementia, care for someone with dementia, or simply want to help move research forward.
Join Dementia Research is an NHS service run in partnership with several charities, including Alzheimer’s Research UK. It matches willing volunteers with researchers who are looking for people to take part in their studies. By bringing researchers and volunteers together, it helps make sure studies can move ahead as quickly as possible.
It’s important that people of all ages and from all walks of life register to ensure that new ways of treating, diagnosing and preventing dementia work for everyone.
Signing up is free, quick, and doesn’t commit you to any study. It just means researchers can contact you if you’re a match.
Why should I take part in dementia research?
Research is the only way to understand diseases like Alzheimer’s and find new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat them. Every volunteer brings us closer to breakthroughs, and hope for future generations. There are lots of different types of research studies.
Dementia research relies on people taking part.
- Without volunteers, progress towards a cure stalls.
- Every sign-up helps researchers find better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent dementia.
- Taking part can benefit you personally through health check-ups, learning more about dementia, and connecting with experts.
For more than a decade, the Join Dementia Research service has helped researchers recruit participants to over 770 studies.
Taking part in dementia studies and spreading awareness is an important way to help future generations of our family and community not have to face dementia.
Dr Jayashree Dasgupta, clinical psychologist specialising in neuropsychology and public health
Many studies are exploring how our brains change as we age and why some people develop dementia while others do not.
One example is PROTECT, an online study looking at how the brain changes with age, and how lifestyle in mid-life may affect our dementia risk.
Volunteers who take part in this study complete some simple tasks once a year. These include:
- memory and thinking tests
- lifestyle questionnaires.
This long-term information allows researchers to track changes in their lifestyle, memory and thinking over time to see if there are any links.
This will help us to understand more about why some people develop dementia and others don’t, in order to find better ways to reduce dementia risk in the future.
PROTECT is currently open to adults who:
- are aged 40 or over
- live in the UK
- do not have a diagnosis of dementia
- have a good understanding of English and can use a computer with internet access.
To find out whether you could take part, sign up or log into Join Dementia Research today.
In 2026, across the world, and more for other types of dementia. These studies are vital in the search for a cure – but the UK is falling behind.
Our research shows that more than six in 10 people (64%) would consider taking part in clinical trials for dementia. That’s around 42 million people in the UK. Yet, compared to other countries, thousands of potential volunteers here never get the chance.
You can help close that gap. Every person who joins brings us closer to breakthroughs.
My mum took part in a clinical trial. It was important for her to take an active role in something that might benefit her. But also, she was conscious of the fact that it would have benefit and impact for others in the future. I’ve also signed up to Join Dementia Research as a healthy volunteer.
Melissa, whose Mum was diagnosed with young onset dementia
Be part of the breakthrough
Reaching one hundred thousand volunteers is a huge achievement. The impact of volunteers will help many people in the future.
But we still need more people, both with and without dementia and from all backgrounds, to take part. Together, we can close the gap and bring hope to everyone affected by dementia.
You can find out more and sign up here or by calling us on 0300 111 5111.
If you have questions about a specific research study that you would like to take part in, or about what might be involved in taking part, please contact the Dementia Research Infoline on 0300 111 5111 or infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org.
