Frequently Asked Questions

NDN stands for Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. We are a research team that specialise in neurological conditions (brain diseases) that get worse over time.

Neuroprogressive conditions sometimes called neurodegenerative disorders, are diseases that slowly damage the cells in the brain and nerves.

We mostly do Parkinson’s research, Alzheimer’s research, dementia research and Huntington’s research, but we do conduct research into other areas, such as Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and many more. If you have a neuroprogressive disease (a disease of the brain that will get worse over time), it is worth considering signing up to our research register. We can then get in touch with you if we have a study coming up that you may be able to take part in.

No. Taking part in research is always entirely voluntary and you will never be pressured to take part. If you decide you don’t want to (or change your mind at any point), this is absolutely fine. It will not affect the care you receive or any future research opportunities that may come up.

If you sign up, we add your name to our secure database, and then when a study comes up that you might be suited to, we will get in touch to let you know. We contact you by email, letter, or telephone (whichever you prefer).

At the NDN, we do clinical research, which is the study of health and illness in people. This includes trials where we try something out – for example, a medication – to see if it helps with a particular condition, and studies where we gather information to see if we can better understand a condition. When you sign up to our research register, you could be invited to take part in either type of study.

Most of our team works at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. But we also work with other NHS teams and the University of Edinburgh. Every study is different, so we can’t say exactly where you will take part until we have a study for you. We can give you more information on this when we contact you about a study.

No. Taking part is voluntary, and you will not be paid. However, most studies ensure that you have any expenses covered (such as travel costs). All information about expenses is specific to the study that you take part in. We can give you more information on this when we contact you about a study.

Although we do research in Edinburgh, we are part of a Scotland-wide network of NHS researchers. This means that you can still sign up to take part in research in Scotland, and the closest team to you will get in touch with you about any research opportunities that they have. We have lead research sites in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. However, we do research across the whole of Scotland (even the Highlands!).

If you want more information on taking part in research outside Edinburgh and the Lothians, please get in touch with the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network head office by email at tay.ndntayside@nhs.scot or by telephone on 01382 423086.