Professor Sharon Naismith works with a patient

ForeFront Ageing and Neurodegeneration

At the forefront of research into ageing and neurodegeneration

The ForeFront Ageing and Neurodegeneration team is committed to discovering early detection methods, identifying new treatments and understanding the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease.  

Our research covers a broad range of neurodegenerative disorders, including frontotemporal dementia, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as healthy ageing. By working together across these areas we are well placed to lead discoveries in brain research.   

Our long-term research aims are to improve and expedite diagnosis and to better understand how neurodegenerative disease processes work, so that we can treat and potentially halt these debilitating diseases. 

Neurodegenerative diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in our ageing population, not only in Australia but worldwide. They have a devastating impact on those affected and place a huge economic and social burden on our community.

Our diverse research groups work together to help reduce this impact by:

  • improving services offered to those affected
  • improving support for carers
  • offering new hope in clinical trials
  • developing novel treatments.

Our collaborative research program incorporates: