Who We Are
Dedicated to better futures for people affected by dementia
Our team brings together clinical expertise and compassion to drive meaningful progress in dementia care.
MARC is an internationally renowned, award-winning centre for memory research and treatment. Built on a strong scientific foundation, our work spans clinical trials, observational studies and pioneering approaches to understanding and treating memory conditions.
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As a UK-based, multi-disciplinary organisation within the NHS, we bring together clinicians, researchers and specialists across multiple fields. Our team is led by Dr Brady McFarlane (Director) and Suzanne Dodge (Clinical Trials Facility Manager), supported by experienced clinicians and research staff committed to driving progress in dementia care.
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Our expertise covers a broad range of scientific areas, including genetics, inflammation and the study of co-existing inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease. We have extensive experience delivering trials involving antibody, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic treatments, as well as therapeutic approaches including aromatherapy, music therapy and nostalgia-based interventions.
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We continue to run cutting-edge clinical trials that explore new ways to slow, treat and better understand memory disorders. Our ongoing mission is to drive progress in dementia research, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the worldwide effort to ultimately prevent and cure dementia.
“When he was given the diagnosis we could have walked away and not have had a follow up care, but being part of a trial has made us feel like we are doing something proactive. It has given motivation to us both. We feel really well supported by the MARC team as they give us well rounded care and they are very approachable. We feel good and looked after.”
We Are a Certified Clinical Research Site
​In 2025, MARC achieved the Global Clinical Site Accreditation (GCSA), awarded by the International Accrediting Organisation for Clinical Research (IAOCR). This internationally recognised certification confirms that our centre meets high-level global standards for the safe, efficient and ethical delivery of clinical trials.
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What this means for our participants and partners:
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Independent verification: MARC has been audited across key research areas, including feasibility, study start-up, participant engagement and governance.
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Safety and quality: Our processes protect participants and ensure we produce high-quality, reliable data.
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Global best practice: The accreditation supports a proactive, “Quality by Design” approach to how we plan and run studies.
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Efficiency: Accredited sites typically activate studies faster and manage trials more smoothly, helping more people access research opportunities.​
GCSA accreditation is a trusted global mark of excellence, demonstrating that MARC delivers dementia research to the highest international standards.​
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For further details about our GCSA accreditation, please news story:
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Find out more about GCSA accreditation by visiting the International Accrediting Organisation for Clinical Research at https://iaocr.com/en
Our Collaborators
We work closely with the Dementia Research Group at the University of Southampton, a leading team undertaking innovative research into the causes of dementia and the development of new biomarkers and treatments.
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Together, our main areas of research include:
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inflammation in dementia
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clinical studies and biomarkers
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neuroimaging
