As a neuroscientist I understand that the application of new scanning technology and techniques has the potential to transform neurological research. This new, state-of-the art
imaging centre will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the molecular understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurological disease.
Dr Mireille Gillings (Hon LLD, 2017)
Largest single gift for the University of Exeter
A £10 million donation from the Dennis and Mireille Gillings Foundation will fund a brand new imaging centre at the University to transform dementia research and diagnosis.
The Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre, will be located at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) site and will accelerate clinical trials for potential dementia treatments over the next five years.
Fifty million people around the world suffer from dementia but currently there are less than thirty phase 2 or phase 3 trials for disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s worldwide. The new Centre should double the number of dementia drugs in development through the innovative use of brain-scanning technology and, has the potential to save thousands of lives.
The gift will also be used to help improve early stage cancer diagnosis by GPs and to fund two new professorial fellowships that will assist the next generation of Exeter scientists to excel in medicine, leadership and business.