Britain's leading charities announce biggest ever donations against dementia

Britain's determination to lead the way in research into dementia was given a massive boost Sunday.

The country's two leading charities into the condition, the Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Research UK each announced their biggest ever financial commitments to a cause, each pledging 50 million pounds (73 million U.S. dollars).

The 100 million pounds will be added to the 220 million U.S. dollars already announced by Prime Minister David Cameron to pay for Britain's first ever Dementia Research Institute.

The Medical Research Council also announced Sunday the launch of a search for an outstanding scientist to head the new institute, expected to be an expert to drive forward world class research.

The new institute, due to open in 2020, will bring together scientists and experts from across the globe to transform the landscape of dementia, one of the biggest conditions facing the human race.

"It will transform the landscape of dementia research and firmly secure the UK's reputation as a world leader in research and development against these devastating diseases," said a spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The involvement of the country's two leading dementia charities will be essential in drawing together the work of scientists and medical professionals with experience of people living with dementia across the country, helping to create the link between research findings and delivering real changes for the treatment, care and prevention of dementia, added the spokesman.

The new institute will have a central UK hub with a network of regional centers and will engage hundreds of scientists. It will focus on the innovative, discovery science needed to unlock the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of the dementias.

The research will help to drive new approaches to diagnosis, treatment, care provision and ultimately prevention of the disease.

Science Minister Jo Johnson said: "We want Britain to lead the way in tackling this terrible condition, and scientific research and understanding is crucial to this."

Jeremy Hughes, the Alzheimer's Society CEO said: "The new institute heralds an exciting era for global dementia research as it launches an unprecedented collaboration of world-leading dementia expertise and provides the largest single investment in dementia research to date."

Government officials estimate that in 20 years the number of Britons suffering dementia will be around 1.7 million, double the current figure. The disease costs Britain, including its NHS, more than 38 billion U.S. dollars a year in care costs, but there are currently no treatments available to stop or reverse the disease process. (1 pound = 1.46 U.S. dollars) Endit