New Manchester Brain Health Centre pilot a national first for dementia diagnosis and prevention
A UK-first brain health clinic that is set to transform how dementia is diagnosed, slowed down or prevented, has launched in central Manchester. The two-year-long pilot scheme has been designed as a scalable model which could be adopted nationwide, and represents a major step forward in reshaping the UK’s approach to brain health.
Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK, yet at any time, a third do not have a diagnosis. In Greater Manchester, the number of people living with dementia is expected to increase by nearly 10% by 2030.
Dementia risk is shaped by a mix of health, lifestyle and environmental factors. It is estimated that up to 40% of dementia risk factors are adjustable, meaning that there are positive steps people can take to reduce their risk – but this depends on diagnosis at the earliest possible stage of memory and cognitive problems.
The Manchester Brain Health Centre (MBHC) is a two-year pilot led by a partnership of organisations including Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the University of Manchester and Alzheimer’s Society.
MBHC is a unique single service that brings together psychiatrists, vascular specialists and clinical academics to identify and support people at the earliest stages of memory loss.
People will benefit from advanced diagnostic techniques such as MRI scans, lumbar punctures, heart health checks, and behavioural assessments, delivering an earlier and accurate diagnosis. This approach will also help identify underlying risk factors and inform the most effective treatment and support plan for individuals.
People who meet the requirements for the MBHC will be identified by the NHS through existing memory assessment services in GMMH and referred directly. Those who take part in the pilot in central Manchester will also be given the chance, if they are eligible, to take part in research and clinical trials.
Alongside the work delivered by NHS clinicians, Brain Health Advisers from Alzheimer’s Society will offer personalised support, guidance and information to people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of memory and thinking changes, or dementia, as well as to anyone looking to improve their brain health through achievable lifestyle and health changes.
Dr Ross Dunne, Consultant Later Life Psychiatrist and Dementia Research Lead at GMMH, said:
“The Manchester Brain Health Centre is crucial to advancing our understanding and treatment of the diseases that cause dementia. Right now, the system is not set up for people when memory and thinking problems first appear. That is exactly when early diagnosis and treatment could have the greatest impact.
“We want the UK to be the best place in the world to get an early and accurate diagnosis. We can be a world leader in the research that will change the future of dementia. Together with our partners in Greater Manchester and Alzheimer's Society, our aim is to develop a model for brain health clinics nationwide.”
Dr Helen Beaumont's husband, Clive, was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia at the age of 46. He died five years after his diagnosis, aged 51. Speaking about the importance of an early and accurate diagnosis, Helen, from Manchester, said:
"As both a carer and now a dementia researcher, I know first-hand how much difference an earlier and more accurate diagnosis can make. It can help people understand what is happening, access the right support sooner and, increasingly, open the door to treatments and research opportunities.
"If a service like the Manchester Brain Health Centre had existed when Clive first began experiencing symptoms, it would have made an enormous difference to him and to our family. I hope it will mean future families have a very different experience from ours and more people affected by dementia can access the answers, support and opportunities they need at the earliest possible stage."
The Manchester Brain Health Centre’s pilot clinic is hosted at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Manchester at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
If you’re worried about yourself, or someone close to you, then Alzheimer’s Society’s symptom checklist can help you start a conversation with a GP. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/checklist or call their Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456. You can also see the Memory and Dementia services we offer at GMMH by visiting https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/memory-and-dementia/.
