Ireland to become leader in Alzheimer’s research

Ireland is set to become a world leader in Alzheimer’s disease research following the annoucement of a new scientific study yesterday.

Trinity College Dublin has formed a partnership with the renowned Florida-based Roskamp Institute to examine whether or not the blood pressure drug, Nilvadipine, can be used to treat Alzheimer's.

A key element to the success of the clinical study is the formation of a new umbrella group of clinicians in Dublin hospitals, the Dublin Ageing Research Network (DARN). Doctors of Geriatrics and Old Age Psychiatry from St James’ Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Loughlinstown, Mater Hospital, Saint Vincent’s Hospital, the Adelaide and Meath Hospital and St Patrick’s Hospital will all collaborate on the scheme.

Welcoming the new partnership with the Roskamp Institute and the establishment of DARN, Professor Brian Lawlor MD said that the new collaboration would enable TCIN to carry out very important research studies in coming years.

“This is a significant development not just for Trinity College but for brain aging research in Ireland," he said.

"Already it has enabled us to form the Dublin Ageing Research Network comprising doctors in geriatrics and old age psychiatry from the major Dublin hospitals to work on this important clinical study, which could lead to an innovative approach to a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Our colleagues in all of these hospitals will play a vital role in carrying out this important clinical study.”

If the two year trial is successful it could change the direction of other studies of dementia.