Dementia decoded: breakthroughs, risk reduction and the road to a cure. A conversation with Hilary Evans-Newton CBE, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
Dementia has long been viewed as an inevitable part of ageing. That perception is now being challenged at its core. This conversation with Hilary Evans-Newton CBE, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, explores a pivotal shift in how we understand, diagnose and ultimately treat the diseases that cause dementia.
At the centre of this transformation is Alzheimer’s Research UK, the leading dementia research funder in Europe. The organisation exists to find a cure by advancing three critical areas: understanding the biology of disease, improving diagnosis, and developing effective treatments. By investing over £60 million annually and acting as a catalyst for collaboration, it brings together scientists, clinicians and partners to accelerate progress from laboratory discovery to real-world impact.
A major theme is the move away from vague, late-stage diagnoses towards precise identification of underlying diseases such as Alzheimer’s, which accounts for the majority of dementia cases. This shift mirrors the evolution seen in cancer care. Where once there was stigma, limited understanding and few treatment options, there is now a pathway towards early detection, targeted therapies and improved survival. Dementia research is approaching a similar turning point.
Recent breakthroughs are beginning to validate this progress. The first disease-modifying treatments for early Alzheimer’s have emerged, marking a significant milestone after years of unsuccessful trials. While access remains limited, these developments are reshaping global investment and signalling that effective intervention is possible.
Equally transformative is the promise of early diagnosis. Advances in blood-based biomarkers could enable detection decades before symptoms appear. This opens the door to earlier intervention, when treatments are most likely to be effective, and reframes dementia as a condition that can be managed proactively rather than reacted to late.
The conversation also highlights the importance of participation in research. Clinical trials remain vastly under-subscribed in dementia compared to other disease areas, slowing the pace of discovery. Increasing participation is essential to turning scientific promise into practical treatments.
Alongside scientific progress, there is a growing understanding of how individuals can reduce their risk. Many of the most impactful actions are familiar: maintaining cardiovascular health, staying physically active, eating well and avoiding smoking. Additional factors such as treating hearing loss, staying socially connected and keeping the brain engaged also play a meaningful role. Brain health is increasingly recognised as part of whole-body health.
Looking ahead, personalised medicine is set to redefine treatment. Rather than a single solution, future therapies are likely to combine approaches tailored to an individual’s biology, genetics and stage of disease. Emerging fields such as gene therapy offer particular promise for certain inherited forms of dementia.
Artificial intelligence is accelerating this progress further. From analysing complex datasets to identifying early digital signals of cognitive change through everyday device use, AI is helping researchers detect patterns and develop interventions at unprecedented speed.
Despite the scale of the challenge, the outlook is increasingly hopeful. The science is advancing, the roadmap is clearer, and momentum is building. What was once seen as an unavoidable decline is now understood as a set of diseases that can be studied, treated and, ultimately, prevented.
Key takeaways:
Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing but a set of diseases that can be understood and targeted
Early diagnosis, including future blood tests, will be critical to effective treatment
New therapies are emerging, signalling real scientific progress
Lifestyle choices can meaningfully reduce risk and support brain health
Collaboration, funding and research participation are essential to accelerating a cure
This episode offers a grounded yet optimistic view of a field on the cusp of transformation, and a clearer understanding of how research today is shaping a future where dementia can be detected earlier, treated more effectively and, ultimately, defeated.
About Hilary Evans-Newton CBE
Hilary joined Alzheimer’s Research UK in 2013 and has been instrumental in driving a period of transformative growth. Under her leadership, the charity has significantly increased its income, strengthening its ability to invest in groundbreaking, innovative research with the power to change lives.
Before joining Alzheimer’s Research UK, Hilary led the campaigning work at Age UK, championing improvements to the lives of people in later life across the UK and internationally.
In March 2023, Hilary was appointed to co-chair the UK government’s national dementia initiative, The Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals Programme. This programme draws on the lessons of the Covid-19 vaccine taskforce to accelerate progress in dementia research and innovation.
Hilary holds an honorary doctorate in medicine from the University of Exeter, is a Trustee of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), and serves as a Member of the World Dementia Council.
In recognition of her leadership and impact, Hilary was awarded a CBE for services to charity in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours.