Dementia Support Line
Join Dementia Research
Join Dementia Research is a UK-based service that allows people to register their interest in taking part in dementia research.
What is Join Dementia Research?
Join Dementia Research helps people with dementia, their carers, or anyone interested in dementia research to be matched to studies taking place in their area.
The service is managed by the National Institute for Health Research in partnership with Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer Scotland. It helps to recruit people to dementia studies taking place across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Get involved in dementia research
Find out more about Join Dementia Research and how you can take part.
Why should I sign up?
Many people who choose to take part in dementia research do so because they value the opportunity to make a difference.
For people with dementia, taking part in research often helps them to gain a better understanding of their condition and to have their health monitored more closely. Many find it a very positive experience and feel they are making a worthwhile contribution to the future of dementia care and treatment.
How does Join Dementia Research work?
Join Dementia Research represents an easy way to register your interest in taking part in a dementia research study. The studies that are listed on the service are a mixture of clinical trials of new drugs and other studies, including improving understanding of care practice or looking into links between lifestyle and dementia risk.
All of the studies have ethical approval, which requires the researchers to submit their work to be reviewed by an independent ethics committee. The committee ensures that the study is well designed, and that the rights, safety and well-being of research participants will be protected.
If there are any studies that look like they will suit you, the study teams will contact you to discuss what is involved. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you need to before deciding whether or not to participate.
Who can sign up?
Anyone over the age of 18 can sign up. People with and without a diagnosis of dementia are able to register.
You can register on behalf of someone else as long as you have their consent.
Registering your details allows you to hear about opportunities to take part in dementia research studies. There is no obligation to take part if you are matched to a study.
Support with your registration
If you prefer, you can talk to our specialist Join Dementia Research helpdesk. They can register your details with the Join Dementia Research service over the phone and answer questions you may have.
All you need to do is call our support line on 0333 150 3456 and ask for the Join Dementia Research helpdesk.
Sania Rehman, Local Services Manager
"As a South Asian woman, and someone who cared for my grandfather through his dementia journey, I’ve experienced first-hand the emotional, cultural, and practical challenges that come with the condition - especially within communities where dementia is still misunderstood or stigmatised.
I joined dementia research because I want to be part of changing that.