$38m dementia study launch

EVERY Australian diagnosed with dementia will be recruited on a national registry to track their care and outcomes, as part of a $38 million war chest to accelerate the development of prevention and treatments for these incurable brain diseases.

A world-first national network of dementia researchers and doctors is being launched today, backed by the Federal Government’s largest single investment in dementia research in Australia, to fast- track better care and research into cures for the 425,000 Australians living with the progressive condition.

A key project of the Melbourne-led Australian Dementia Network is to recruit 4000 people — both those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and those who are yet to show symptoms — who stand ready to take part in trials of new treatments.

Network principle investigator Professor Christopher Rowe, from Austin Health and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, said this would give researchers and drug companies a three-year headstart on testing promising drugs, as it now took that long to recruit enough participants for trials.

“There is worldwide recognition that trials need to be faster,” Prof Rowe said.

“This network will improve the quality of care and diagnosis of people with dementia in Australia.”