{"id":2053,"date":"2026-01-29T17:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T17:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/?page_id=2053"},"modified":"2026-01-30T09:06:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T09:06:42","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"734\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/111\/2026\/01\/Picture2-1.png\" alt=\"Picture2\" class=\"wp-image-2056 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/111\/2026\/01\/Picture2-1.png 734w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/111\/2026\/01\/Picture2-1-300x168.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Below are some frequently asked questions about taking part in research.<br><br>If we have missed any of your questions, please get in touch with us:  <a href=\"mailto:loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20537\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">What is the NDN?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20537\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>NDN stands for Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. We are a research team that specialise in neurological conditions (brain diseases) that get worse over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neuroprogressive conditions sometimes called neurodegenerative disorders, are diseases that slowly damage the cells in the brain and nerves. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20530\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">What types of research do you do?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20530\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>We mostly do Parkinson&#8217;s research, Alzheimer&#8217;s research, dementia research and Huntington&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20531\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">If I sign up for research, do I have to take part?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20531\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>No. Taking part in research is <strong>always <\/strong>entirely voluntary and you will never be pressured to take part. If you decide you don&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20532\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">What happens after I sign up?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20532\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>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).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20533\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">What is the difference between a research study and a clinical trial?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20533\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>At the NDN, we do <strong>clinical research<\/strong>, which is the study of health and illness in people. This includes <strong>trials <\/strong>where we try something out \u2013 for example, a medication \u2013 to see if it helps with a particular condition, and <strong>studies <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"false\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20534\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">Where do the research studies take place?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20534\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"false\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20535\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">Will I get paid to take part in research?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20535\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"false\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h2 id=\"at-20536\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">I don&#8217;t live near Edinburgh, but I still want to take part in research?<\/h2><div id=\"ac-20536\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>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!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"mailto:tay.ndntayside@nhs.scot\">tay.ndntayside@nhs.scot<\/a>&nbsp;or by telephone on 01382 423086.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>CONTACT INFORMATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neuroprogressive &amp;\u00a0Dementia Research Network Office<br><br>Old Pharmacy Building<br>Western General Hospital<br>Edinburgh <br>EH4 2XU<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot\">loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Telephone: <strong>0131 537 3804<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>ABOUT US<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NRS Neuroprogressive Disease and Dementia Network team in NHS Lothian conduct commercial and investigator led studies for: Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, Parkinson&#8217;s disease, Huntington&#8217;s disease, Motor Neurone Disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Multiple System Atrophy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><sub><strong>\u00a9 NHS LOTHIAN | YOUR SERVICE.<\/strong><\/sub><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Below are some frequently asked questions about taking part in research. If we have missed any of your questions, please get in touch with us: loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot CONTACT INFORMATION Neuroprogressive &amp;&nbsp;Dementia Research Network Office Old Pharmacy BuildingWestern General HospitalEdinburgh EH4 2XU Email: loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot Telephone: 0131 537 3804 ABOUT US The NRS Neuroprogressive Disease and Dementia Network<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":382,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-2053","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"marianmontanha","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/author\/marianmontanha\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"Below are some frequently asked questions about taking part in research. If we have missed any of your questions, please get in touch with us: loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot CONTACT INFORMATION Neuroprogressive &amp;&nbsp;Dementia Research Network Office Old Pharmacy BuildingWestern General HospitalEdinburgh EH4 2XU Email: loth.sdcrn@nhs.scot Telephone: 0131 537 3804 ABOUT US The NRS Neuroprogressive Disease and Dementia Network","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/382"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2053"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2053\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2093,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2053\/revisions\/2093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/neuroprogressiveanddementianetwork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}