Funding research into devastating neurological conditions

Who we are

Brain Research UK is the leading dedicated funder of neurological research in the UK. We fund the best science to achieve the greatest impact for people affected by neurological conditions, to help them live better, longer. Every year we receive more and more funding applications from promising researchers across the UK.

The impact made in the last 50 years

In the years since we were founded in 1971, we have achieved so much. We transformed our ability to study the brain through technological advances including improved neuroimaging facilities and state of the art scanners. We have invested over £50 million in to research into neurological conditions to enable the best progress. Our researchers have made incredible breakthroughs: they have revealed genes and mechanisms underlying the early stages of brain tumour development which have led to new treatment possibilities; and identified protein clumping in motor neurones as a key feature of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) leading to the development of a new drug which has been shown to slow down functional decline in clinical trials.

The challenge we face

One of the biggest challenges we face is that despite one in six of us having a neurological condition, research into the brain remains woefully under-funded. Brain tumours, for example, kill more people under 40 than any other cancer and more children in the UK than any other disease. As well as investing vital funds in research into brain tumours, we are prioritising research into brain and spinal cord injury and headache, two areas where the high levels of patient need are unmatched by current levels of research investment.

By prioritising research in these three disease areas we are striving to drive progress in treatment for the benefit of the many thousands of people whose lives are affected.We are also funding research to help understand how to repair the brain and spinal cord. This may be through behavioural interventions that stimulate recovery, or medical interventions, or a combination of both. Brain and spinal cord injuries may be traumatic - caused by an external injury to the head or spine, or non-traumatic - caused by an internal event such as a stroke.

The degree of impairment varies enormously but many people are left severely disabled and need long-term rehabilitation to maximise function, independence and quality of life.

How you can help

There are many ways you could help us, from raising awareness of the prevalence of neurological conditions to participating in or organising fundraising events. Please visit our website brainresearchuk.org.uk to find out more about our work and how you can support us.