A new Brain Health Centre has opened in Manchester, marking a new approach to dementia diagnosis, prevention and long-term brain health in the UK.

The centre launched on 21 September 2026, World Alzheimer’s Day, and is being developed as a model that could potentially be adopted more widely across the country.

The initiative focuses on identifying people at risk of cognitive decline and supporting them earlier, rather than concentrating only on treatment after dementia symptoms have become established.

The Manchester centre brings together approaches to dementia assessment, prevention and brain health, with the aim of improving how people understand and manage factors linked to future cognitive health.

Its launch comes as the NHS and healthcare researchers continue to examine ways of responding to the growing demand for dementia services and improving earlier access to specialist support.

The centre is designed as a scalable healthcare model, meaning its approach could provide lessons for other parts of the UK as health services develop new strategies for dementia prevention and diagnosis.