We were delighted to welcome Vikki Slade MP and Alison Bennett MP to King’s College London and showcase our work as part of UK DRI. Collaboration is key to success and at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, we are proud to lead pioneering research connecting science to the clinic, leading to lifechanging discoveries for people living with dementia.
Professor Matthew Hotopf, Executive Dean, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.
02 June 2026
MPs visit UK DRI at King's to mark Dementia Action Week
To mark Dementia Action Week, King’s researchers welcomed Alison Bennett MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Social Care and Vikki Slade MP, member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dementia, to the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at King’s.
They were hosted by and Professor Jernej Ule, Van Geest Professor of Neurodegeneration Research and Director of the UK DRI at King’s, and Professor Matthew Hoptof, Executive Dean, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. The MPs were given a tour of the UK DRI labs and heard from scientists about the future of dementia research.
During the visit, Ms Bennett and Ms Slade met with researchers to discuss how using novel approaches to fundamental cell science was unlocking new opportunities to identify treatment targets and inform our understanding progression, enabling clinicians to intervene earlier with support.
Ms Bennett and Ms Slade discussed the transformative potential of blood and digital biomarkers to support early detection of neurodegenerative diseases and how researchers are working with the NHS to develop novel care support.
Reflecting on their visit, Vikki Slade MP and Alison Bennett MP said,
"As we mark dementia action week, we need to build ways to diagnose, treat and care for people with dementia and neurodegenerative conditions. It was inspiring to visit the UK Dementia Research Institute at King’s and see the incredible research that is transforming our understanding of these conditions, paving the way for prevention-first models of care.
It was particularly fascinating to see the research at cellular level which is helping us to understand how things go wrong in the brain and also reiterates the importance of long-term funding for scientific research as well as funding for those conditions where a cure is imminent.
By supporting this groundbreaking research, we are investing in a future of healthy brain ageing, building toward therapies that slow or prevent onset and ensuring that families living with dementia have a better chance at help early on with a tailored more personal experience of care."
Professor Jernej Ule, Van Geest Professor of Neurodegeneration Research and Centre Director, UK DRI at King’s said,
"We were delighted to welcome Vikki Slade and Alison Bennett to the UK Dementia Research Institute at King’s during Dementia Action Week. Their visit highlighted the importance of collaborative research and innovation in transforming the outlook for people with dementia.
By studying the underlying biological processes and harnessing advances in data science we are building toward a future where we can predict risk, prevent onset and personalise care for everyone affected by dementia."
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Van Geest Professor of Neurodegeneration Research
Executive Dean, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience