Dementia is an urgent global challenge with enormous health and economic cost to Australia. While the hope is for a cure, the number with dementia is growing and diagnosis is often delayed by ~3 years. This project will use innovative neurocognitive methods to achieve earlier diagnosis and develop tailored treatments. This will enhance or maintain function, promoting independence and community living, improving the quality of life and care for persons living with dementia.
Early Detection Of Alzheimer's Disease Using Ocular Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,502.00
Summary
Curcumin fluorescence imaging of the retina will be tested for quantification of retinal amyloid plaque burden and rate of change. This will be compared to AD disease status, brain plaque burden and other markers to evaluate retinal imaging as an early test for AD.
What Can Tau Deposition Tell Us About The Appearance Of Subjective And Objective Cognitive Decline In Older Adults?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$674,077.00
Summary
Subjective memory concerns are common in older adults, but it is uncertain how they relate to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers. Novel neuroimaging techniques have been developed for measuring tau deposition, a hallmark feature of AD. Using this technique, I aim to determine whether tau is sensitive to certain types of subjective concerns. My findings will reveal which concerns are indicative of AD risk, and which arise from unrelated factors, such as inattention or stress.
Breast CAncer STratification: Understanding The Determinants Of Risk And Prognosis Of Molecular Subtypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,984.00
Summary
Breast cancer is not one disease, but many different types with different causes, treatments and outcomes. The aim of this project is to use genetic, lifestyle/environmental, mammographic breast density, pathologic and clinical data froma very large number of studies from all over the world to develop ways of predicting which women are at risk of particuar types of breast cancer, and if breast cancer develops what the likely outcome will be.
Novel Assessment And Intervention For Dementia: An Inter-disciplinary Translational Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$720,021.00
Summary
This program of research focuses on i) a highly novel internationally competitive program of work focusing on the neural network correlates of sleep in dementia, sleep as a risk factor and the efficacy of sleep-wake interventions in reducing cognitive decline; ii) Innovative technologies for widespread screening of preclinical dementia and early intervention and iii) clinical trials focused on the testing of a of novel, highly translatable dementia risk reduction interventions.
PSYSCAN— Translating Neuroimaging Findings From Research Into Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,285.00
Summary
Our ability to predict the onset and outcome of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders remains limited. This restricts the implementation of effective preventative and early interventions. This project will rectify this by developing a tool of significant clinical utility. The project has 2 aims: 1. To develop and validate a neuroimaging-based tool for use in early psychosis to assist with early diagnosis, outcome, and disease progression. 2. To apply the tool in clinical practice.
Mental Health First Aid Training For Parents Of Teenagers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,638,775.00
Summary
Adolescence is a life period where mental disorders often have first onset. However, adolescents may not have the knowledge or life experience to take effective action if they affected by a mental health problem. Adolescents often turn to parents for support and advice if they develop a mental health problem. The aim of this project is to see whether parents who are trained in Mental Health First Aid respond more appropriately if their teenager develops a mental health problem.
Cognitive Interventions For Older Adults At-risk Of Dementia And With Early-stage Neurodegenerative Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,348.00
Summary
My postdoctoral research program focuses on secondary prevention for cognitive decline and early intervention for mild-stage dementia, by developing and evaluating cognitive interventions e.g. Cognitive Training, psychoeducation, adjunctive therapies and e-health. I am perfectly positioned for this research, with an established track record in aging, ideal research environment, excellent supervision/collaborative opportunities, and unique background of both research and clinical training.
Non-Alzheimer’s Disease Degenerative Dementias: Identifying Prodromal Genetic/familial Phenotypes, Modifying Factors, And Protein Variations Involved In Progression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$6,449,246.00
Summary
This proposal will generate new knowledge necessary for advancing the diagnosis of the non-Alzheimer’s disease dementias. We will identify the preclinical forms of frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia using similar methods to those successfully employed to advance diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Importantly, our team has the capacity to translate these protocols into clinical practice and into further advances in biological knowledge that is necessary for future therapeutic targeting
Predicting Perioperative Cognitive Disorders In The Elderly Based On Cardiovascular Risk, AD Risk And New Biomarkers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,826.00
Summary
Anaesthesia and surgery are common in the elderly and are known to lead to memory and thinking problems. Why this happens is unclear. I plan to study confusion, memory and thinking problems before and after surgery and to determine if blood or cerebrospinal fluid tests or modifying cardiovascular disease can predict this happening. This work will lead to early identification of people who are at risk of cognitive problems following anaesthesia and surgery, and ways to prevent this happening.