Neurological and central nervous system (CNS) disorders overwhelmingly represent a major cause of illness and disability worldwide. Over 600 known disorders including dementia, multiple sclerosis and spinal conditions affect people in every demographic in society, contributing to widespread socioeconomic consequences for our communities.
Due to the complexity of neurological disease mechanisms, the early stages of drug discovery are crucial for understanding and targeting diseases. At the same time, the scale of this challenge has historically forestalled drug therapy research.
Today there are over 55 million cases of Dementia globally, with Alzheimer's Disease accounting for 60 - 70% of all diagnoses. Given this number is set to increase to 150 million by 2050, Alzheimer’s Disease presents an enormous therapeutic need.
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program is a targeted response to an urgent challenge within the Therapeutic Area of Neurodegeneration and CNS. Through the program established in 2024, Associate Professor Eleanor Drummond and Professor Michael Kassiou co-lead a team of neuropharmacologists, medicinal chemists, molecular biologists and data scientists.
Using a three-pronged approach, our researchers are identifying and optimising novel drug candidates, developing organoid new models, and identifying targets using the latest available technologies. By 2027, the Alzheimer’s Disease Pathfinder is set to generate a groundbreaking research pipeline streamlined for the discovery of new targets and active molecules.
There is a consensus that for the last thirty years there’s been a concerted effort in trying to target amyloids. Because of that effort, many other potential drug targets haven’t been looked at in the depth they possible deserve. We want to look at all these other things going on in the Alzheimer’s brain too.
ADP Co-leader, Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Bluesand Senior Research Fellow
Neurodrug was created in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine and Health to build on opportunities identified at the 2023 Neurodrug Symposium. Our multidisciplinary teams are building capacity in drug discovery for a spectrum of brain and mind disorders.
The Neurotherapeutics Innovation Group was founded by the Brain and Mind Centre with expert input from DDI researchers. The project aims to connect basic disease research and clinical practices, with a focus on actively identifying and addressing disease pathways.
