Dementia Research
Read more about the latest dementia research as well as past studies into mobility and bone health in older people:
Participating in Research at RICE:
There are two different types of research studies which take place at RICE, we’re unique for conducting both in-house at our centre in Bath. Patients have the opportunity to take part in the latest scientific research at RICE, at the same place and with the same staff as they receive their regular care.
Clinical trials: involve monitoring someone while they are taking a medication which is being studied. Usually a study partner, such as a family member or a friend, is also involved to help complete assessments. Individuals are seen regularly by RICE’s experienced team of doctors, nurses and psychologists to monitor progress and answer any questions.
Academic research: could involve a person with a dementia diagnosis along with a family member or friend, completing questionnaires which study how they function in everyday life and how their memory affects their wellbeing. Other studies evaluate therapies and technologies designed to improve memory, health and wellbeing. Or you could be involved in testing new memory tests for diagnosing and monitoring dementia. Academic research is only possible thanks to generous charitable donations to RICE.
“We have received wonderful, sympathetic support and helpful information while taking part in a research study, which has greatly assisted our journey together in adjusting to unexpected changes and challenges”.
– Victor and Anthea Barley, 2022
You do not need to have a dementia diagnosis to contribute to life-saving dementia research!
To learn more about volunteering for research, email our Research Manager: vanessa.bishop@rice.org.uk.
Dr Tomas Welsh – Research and Medical Director
Dr Tomas Welsh is the Research & Medical Director of RICE and leads the research theme ‘Thinking Clearly’ which studies all types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr Welsh oversees a number of clinical trials of new medications for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. He also works as a Consultant in the RICE Memory Clinic.
Dr Welsh is deputy Chair of the British Geriatrics Society: ‘Dementia and Related Disorders Specialist Interest Group’ and a member of the European Geriatric Medicine Society: ‘Task and Finish group for Falls Risk Increasing Drugs’. He is an honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and Deputy Lead for Complex Medicine in Older People. He collaborates with colleagues from a wide variety of specialities within the South West, nationally and internationally.
History of Research at RICE
Since 1985, RICE has made a significant contribution to global research into many different types of dementia. Our aim is to carry out high quality research to explore the best ways of diagnosing, managing and treating dementia and other related diseases in older adults. Over the years, RICE has undertaken clinical trials for more than 50 potential drug treatments, studied the genetics of dementia as well as investigated non-drug therapies to improve quality of life.
Today, RICE is the only organisation within the regional Integrated Care Board with experience of delivering the latest disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer’s disease, all four of which currently licensed in the UK had early clinical trials at RICE.
A key part of our work has included collaborating with other organisations caring for older people and researching older people’s health. We lead the RICE Ageing Research Collaborative which brings together clinicians and researchers from the Royal United Hospitals and the universities of Bath, Bristol and West of England to develop and undertake innovative research into the health problems of older age.