October 2005
Dementia research: Hope for the future
Alzheimer's Australia Research (AAR) is pleased to announce that the number of grants for dementia research was more than doubled in 2005.
The 2005 successful projects are of a high quality and cover a wide range of research areas - from basic biomedical research to studies into improving quality of life for people currently living with dementia.
Successful projects include: - Examining emotional processing problems in people with Alzheimer's disease
- Identifying new genes involved in Alzheimer's disease
- Exploring differences between normal and abnormal brain proteins in Alzheimer's disease
- Predicting cognitive decline and motor slowing with brain imaging techniques
- Travel scholarship to learn techniques which may help in diagnosis of different types of dementia
- Travel scholarship to present research at an international conference regarding odour perception and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
- PhD project examining consequences of inflammation in the brain in Alzheimer's disease
- Management of early memory loss with training and intervention strategies
- Analysis of best practice in end of life care for people with dementia
These projects add to AAR's portfolio of research projects which also includes a joint fellowship with the NHMRC which funds Associate Professor Pradeep Nathan of Monash University to research novel neuroimaging technology to investigate early changes in the brains of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Professor Brodaty, Chair of AAR said that "Currently less than 0.3% of the total annual cost of dementia in Australia is spent on dementia research. Australia must invest in dementia research now to make progress in dementia treatment, prevention, diagnosis, and care."
"Only through research will it be possible to lessen the impact of dementia and reduce the increasing number of people who will otherwise develop dementia and improve quality of life for those living with dementia."
"AAR is working to achieve a target of $5 million annual funding for research by 2008."
AAR is the research arm of Alzheimer's Australia, a separate not-for-profit company designed to promote, disseminate and fund research into all aspects of dementia. AAR provides funding for an annual dementia grants and scholarships program.
For details of successful projects or more information please contact Susanna Park on +61 262 544 233 orsee Alzheimer's Australia's website at www.alzheimers.org.au.