Competence Network Dementia

1. Funding phase

Projects: 01GI0102
Funding period: 01.02.2002 - 30.06.2004
Volume: 6,9 mio EUR

2. Funding phase

Projects: 01GI0420, 01GI0422, 01GI0423, 01GI0425, 01GI0428, 01GI0429, 01GI0431 - 01GI0434, 01GI0702

Funding period: 01.11.2004 - 30.04.2009
Volume: 6 mio EUR

Total Funding

Funding period: 01.02.2002 - 30.04.2009
Volume: 12,9 mio EUR

Network Speaker: Prof. Dr. Dr. Fritz A. Henn
Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
J5
68159 Mannheim
Tel.: +49 621 1703-2983
E-Mail: demenz@zi-mannheim.de

Dementia manifests usually in older age. The disease is characterized by a progressive loss in brain function, including memory, orientation, and intellectual capacity. Approximately one million German citizens suffer from dementia and approximately 200.000 new cases are diagnosed every year. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer´s disease.

The Competence Network Dementia is a nationwide network of university-centered dementia research groups. Hospitals, doctors, the German Alzheimer´s Association and commercial partners are involved. The network's three main areas of work are: early recognition and diagnosis, therapy, epidemiology and genetics. In addition, the network aims to develop nationwide guidelines for diagnosis and therapy and to improve the existing health care structures.

Due to the rising life expectancy of the population, dementias will become one of the largest health problems. At present, progression of the symptoms can only be retarded - a healing is impossible in most cases. Future therapies will be based on the increasing understanding of the basic pathophysiological processes of the disease.

The Competence Network Dementia is part of the funding measure "Competence Networks in Medicine".
For more detailed information regarding the Competence Network Dementia see: http://www.kompetenznetz-demenzen.de/.