Local charity, BRACE (Bristol Research into Alzheimer’s and Care of the Elderly) has awarded the grant to Dr Patrick Kehoe and Professor Seth Love who lead the University of Bristol’s Dementia Research Group.

The group were involved in one of the largest ever studies to discover genes that may be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and which found two new Alzheimer genes (CLU and PICALM).

The grant will enable the group to continue with their research to look for answers as to the underlying causes of the common late-onset form of Alzheimer’s disease, which affects over half a million people in the UK.

Dr Kehoe, Gestetner Senior Research Fellow, said: “This investment in our group is absolutely tremendous.  BRACE’s timing could not have been better as we try to keep the current momentum going following the recent discovery of CLU and PICALM.”

Seth Love, Professor of Neuropathology and Director of the South West Dementia Brain Bank, added: “BRACE have given us an excellent opportunity to establish how these new genes are involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The funds will enable us to examine how CLU and PICALM influence the production and clearance of Aβ, the toxic substance that accumulates in the brain of patients who have this disease.”

BRACE Chief Executive, Mark Poarch, said: “BRACE is delighted to be able to make this commitment to the Dementia Research Group. The group have an impressive track record and are recognised worldwide for their work on the clearance of Aβ from the brain.

“The group’s reputation has been further enhanced by their careful management of the South West Dementia Brain Bank, which is proving to be invaluable resource for research into dementia. BRACE is proud to contribute to the continued success of the Dementia Research Group in the fight against this devastating disease.”