Animal research

The Alzheimer's Research Trust supports research using animals where necessary. Experiments that involve animals are an important part of medical research. This is because the complexity and effects of a disease cannot always be imitated in a test-tube or a computer. Scientists use animals so they can understand more about how disease processes affect the whole living body. It also vital that new treatments are tested in this environment, rather than only in the artificial conditions of a test-tube or computer. By law, animals cannot be used in research if there is an equally-good non-animal alternative.

Research using animals has produced some of the most important findings to date and made real progress in the fight against Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The current dementia drugs are available because of animal research. The most common animals that are used in dementia research are fruit flies, fish and rodents.

The Alzheimer's Research Trust considers applications for research involving animals alongside all other applications for funding from scientists. The charity's position is that it will fund research applications of the highest standard which, on the best scientific advice, are considered to offer the greatest hope of making real progress in the search for ways to prevent, treat or cure Alzheimer's and related diseases.

All projects involving animals are strictly regulated by laws and instructions from the Home Office through the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986), and researchers must demonstrate that animals are really necessary for the work and that no alternative method is available.

While we believe that projects using animals are crucial if we are to make progress towards treatments, the Alzheimer's Research Trust is able to restrict donations to non-animal research projects on request. Supporters simply need to let us know when making a donation.

The Alzheimer's Research Trust is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities. Further information on the subject of animals in research can be found on its website www.amrc.org.uk.