Research and evidence
A collection of research focusing on the most prominent subjects relating to young onset dementia, gathered by members of the Young Dementia Network Steering Group and other experienced researchers.
Current research studies
Taking part in young onset dementia research can provide an opportunity for people whose lives are affected by young onset dementia to contribute to the future of dementia care and treatment and to make a positive difference.
Listed below are some dementia research opportunities that may be of interest:
Tourism and travel for younger people living with dementia
This research project aims to explore the lived experiences and meaning of tourism and travel occupations or activities for younger people living with dementia and their influence on health and wellbeing. You can find out more here or contact Catriona Conway catriona.conway@students.plymouth.ac.uk
(November 2024)
Exploring the meaning and experiences of hope for people with young onset dementia
This research is asking asking people who have a diagnosis of young onset dementia about their hope, what it means to them and their experiences of hope. They are conducting interviews that will last approximately one hour either in person, on the phone or via video call. View the study poster here. To find out more, please contact Siobhan Heard S.HEARD-2018@hull.ac.uk
(October 2024)
Are you or a loved one living with young onset dementia in south east England?
Researchers from Younger People with Dementia are running a study to obtain first hand experience of the support received following a diagnosis of young onset dementia. They are specifically focusing on people with a different cultural background to that of white British. The research will involve 1-2 hours of time and will be interview based. Study poster. To find out more please contact Charlie Draper Charlie.draper@ypwd.info
(September 2024)
Exploring the nature of facial recognition impairments in young onset and late onset Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers from the University of Reading are looking for people aged 50-90 who have a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to take part in a study. They hope that the information gathered will improve their understanding of why facial recognition impairments can occur in Alzheimer’s disease. Find out more about the study here or email Dr Samrah Ahmed, Research Lead at samrah.ahmed@reading.ac.uk.
(July 2024)
Are you dealing with age-related cognitive changes while working?
Northumbria University researchers, led by Professor Arlene Astell, are seeking working adults with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or mild dementia for a study on their work experiences and preferred technologies. To find out more about the study, please click here or contact Arlene Astell at arlene.astell@northumbria.ac.uk
(July 2024)
Are you an adult from an ethnic minority background with young onset dementia or an unpaid carer?
Researchers from the University of Liverpool are conducting interviews about the experience of receiving a diagnosis of young onset dementia and accessing care. Interviews will last up to 60 minutes, online or face to face at a time to suit you. If you would like more information, or to get involved. email Fiona Lowe at filowe@liverpool.ac.uk
(May 2024)
Help develop digital resources to support children and young people affected by dementia
Researchers at the University of East Anglia are working on a project called CareCoach. They are recruiting children and young people aged up to 15 and dementia professionals to take part in a research study (interview and workshops) to help them create web resources to support children and young people who are in regular contact with a person, for example a family member, who is living with dementia. Read more about the study here. Follow the study on Instagram here and X/Twitter here.
(May 2024)
DYNAMIC (Dementia at YouNger Ages – Mapping Ideal Care): Improving social care for people with young onset dementia and their families
DYNAMIC (Dementia at YouNger Ages – Mapping Ideal Care): Improving social care for people with young onset dementia and their familiesThe Young Dementia Network is proud to support the University of Bradford’s DYNAMIC study which aims to identify, prioritise and produce recommendations and resources to address improvements in social care for people with young onset dementia and their families. For more information contact Professor Jan Oyebode, email j.oyebode@bradford.ac.uk
For more dementia research opportunities, please visit Join Dementia Research.