Research into dementia treatments and diagnostic tests is expanding rapidly, with more than 158 potential drugs being assessed in over 192 trials worldwide. However, Alzheimer’s Disease International warns that progress could stall because too few people are joining studies and strict eligibility rules exclude many willing volunteers.

The trials are estimated to need 55,000 participants, but around 350,000 people may need to come forward because of screening exclusions. In the UK, only 551 people are currently taking part in dementia trials, compared with about 24,000 in cancer trials. Researchers cite delayed diagnosis, limited specialist testing, travel costs, language barriers, caring responsibilities and low awareness among healthcare professionals as major obstacles, while suggesting remote assessments and local testing could improve access.