Dementia Research Nurse
Since 2019, BRACE has supported the role of a Dementia Research Nurse based in the Bristol Brain Centre in Southmead Hospital. The research nurse works closely with people living with dementia to support and enable them to participate in dementia research.
This work is vital, as recruiting participants is a huge hurdle for dementia research. With BRACE funding, the Dementia Research Nurse not only assesses patients for their eligibility to participate but also helps execute academic research.
Volunteers taking part in research projects play a vital role in the development of new treatments for dementia. For instance, the new Alzheimer’s drugs which were licensed in 2024 used volunteers to test the effectiveness of the medication. Without research volunteers, these drugs would not have been approved for use in the UK.
The Dementia Research Nurse plays an important role in supporting volunteers in such research projects, contributing greatly to the development of new treatments and also improved diagnosis of dementia.
Anya Soonderpershad
“I am so proud to be a BRACE-funded Dementia Research Nurse. Since joining the team in August 2022, I’ve had the privilege to contribute to studies that bring us closer to a cure for dementia. Each project, however small it may seem, represents progress in a field that urgently needs it. Seeing tangible results of dementia research, like the recent approval of Lecanemab, an early Alzheimer’s drug, for use in the UK, motivates me to keep pushing forward.
Our study participants are remarkable, and their excitement about being part of these advancements shows me the impact we can achieve together. We are hopeful that treatments like Lecanemab will soon be available on the NHS, making a difference for even more patients. I am incredibly grateful to BRACE for enabling me to be part of this journey. Together with my team, I’m not just hoping to make a difference - I’m part of the solution. With ongoing support, I am confident that together we can defeat dementia. Thank you for making this work possible!”
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