MEP highlights Alzheimer’s statistics in Leitrim at EU Dementia Conference

Calls for greater EU investment in dementia research have been made, highlighting that over 500 people in Leitrim are living with the condition.

Midlands North-West MEP Nina Carberry, co-chair of the European Alzheimer’s Alliance, hosted a conference in Brussels on Tuesday, December 9, together with Dementia Research Network Ireland.

As well as discussing how the EU can finance research, the event also looked at some of the reasons why women account for two-thirds of all dementia cases. 

Longer life expectancy, as well as social and genetic factors all play a significant part.

Latest figures from the HSE show that 543 people in Leitrim and more than 64,000 people across the country have dementia. This number is expected to rise to 150,000 by 2045.

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MEP Carberry said that a coordinated EU Brain Action Plan is needed to improve early diagnosis, improve prevention and expand access to new treatments.

"With the EU’s research budget expected to double over the next 7 years, from €95.5 billion to €175 billion, it’s crucial that dementia research receives increased dedicated funding", Carberry said.

“We see that through increased physical activity, education and treating things like hearing and vision loss at an early stage, many dementia cases may be prevented or significantly delayed.

“And with new biomarker tests, which can detect Alzheimer’s earlier than ever before, we are likely to see improved health outcomes into the future.

“For rural areas in particular, we need to look at improving access to early diagnosis. Dementia affects hundreds of families in Leitrim and so we must ensure that EU and national policies allow people to live not only longer, but healthier lives into the future,” Carberry concluded.

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