The UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation and Race Against Dementia Unite on Clinical Trial Exploring Cognitive Decline in Patients with Lewy Body Dementia

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Innovative clinical trial leverages focused ultrasound technology to address cognitive decline in Lewy body dementia patients

London, UK, (January 21, 2025)—The UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation and Race Against Dementia are pleased to announce their first collaborative initiative to fund a groundbreaking research project exploring the role of noninvasive focused ultrasound in improving cognition in patients with Lewy body dementia (LBD). LBD, which includes Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, is a debilitating condition marked by progressive memory and attention impairment.

Race Against Dementia is a charity founded by three-time world champion racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, their mission is to fund research to find cures and preventions for dementia. This project has been funded as part of Race Against Dementia’s £4.2 million funding programme run in partnership with, medical research charity, Rosetrees Trust. Through this programme Race Against Dementia has awarded grants of up to £750,000 to six exceptional research teams from across the UK. These teams will accelerate the search for preventions and cures for dementia, focusing on fresh ideas and disruptive approaches.

LBD accounts for 15 percent of all dementia cases yet remains significantly under-researched with limited treatment options. Many of the symptoms of LBD are believed to be caused by the progressive loss of brain cells that produce a chemical messenger called acetylcholine. Patients experience a progressive decline in cognition and daily functioning, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapies.

The project, titled, Improving cognition in Lewy body dementia using focused ultrasound, will be overseen by Dr Ashwini Oswal, MD, MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow at the University of Oxford, along with a research team of six other experts from the University of Oxford and University College London. The team will leverage recent advances in non-invasive brain stimulation techniques using low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) which has been shown to be safe, effective, precise, and holds the promise of improving cognition and memory.

As part of the study, 30 participants will undergo LIFU treatment. This marks the first time focused ultrasound neuromodulation will be used in a clinical trial for LBD. Researchers will test for target engagement with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), allowing them to better understand the impact of LIFU on brain activity in patients. The collaboration also strengthens ties between the University of Oxford and University College London, enabling the research team to utilise cutting-edge infrastructure, including diagnostic, neuroimaging, and ultrasound facilities.

“Our partnership with Race Against Dementia highlights the power of collaboration in addressing urgent neurodegenerative conditions like Lewy body dementia,” said Philip Keevil, MA, (Oxon), MBA, FRSA, chairman and trustee of the UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation. “By combining advanced technology with expert researchers, we’re striving to address the unmet needs of patients with Lewy body dementia and pioneer new therapeutic treatments, offering hope to patients and their families.”

“Fast paced technology is the backbone of Formula 1, it drives performance, safety, and precision,” said Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE, founder of Race Against Dementia. “Partnering with the Focused Ultrasound Foundation will enhance our endeavours to apply the same high-tech approach to dementia research and their focus on cutting-edge technology, will allow for the acceleration of solutions.”

About Focused Ultrasound
Focused ultrasound uses ultrasound energy guided by real-time imaging to treat tissue deep in the body without incisions or radiation. There are currently 34 indications in various stages of development in the UK and more than 180 worldwide, including Alzheimer’s disease and tumours of the brain, liver, breast, and pancreas. Worldwide, 32 have regulatory approval, and in the UK, 13 have achieved CE marking.

About the UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation
Established in 2023, the UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation was created to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide by accelerating the development of this noninvasive technology. The UK Focused Ultrasound Foundation, along with its US counterpart, works to clear the path to global adoption by organising and funding research, fostering collaboration, and building awareness among patients and professionals.

About the Teams Programme
Race Against Dementia Teams Programme identifies high potential leaders – researchers with an inventive approach. Top scientists are supported to build a talented team of scientists. Awards of up to £750,000 are made to support the team for five years. Team selection is spearheaded by Rosetrees, a UK private medical charity. Race Against Dementia trains the entire team in a Formula 1-style mindset for focus and advancement.

About Rosetrees Trust 
Rosetrees Trust, a UK private medical charity, has supported cutting-edge research for more than 30 years, funding over 2000 research projects. Their highly successful venture philanthropy approach, pioneered by Rosetrees chairman, Richard Ross, CBE, has generated more than £1 billion in follow-on funding from organisations such as the Medical Research Council, Wellcome and Cancer Research UK. 

About Oxford University
Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the eighth year running, and number 3 in the QS World Rankings 2024. Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having created more than 300 new companies since 1988. The university is a catalyst for prosperity in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, contributing £15.7 billion to the UK economy in 2018/19, and supports more than 28,000 full-time jobs.