University of Sydney scholars win $5.7m for dementia research
Ten University of Sydney scholars have been awarded a combined $5.7m in federal funding to tackle the impacts of dementia and find ways to prevent and cure the debilitating disease.
Research-driven interventions aiming to prevent dementia
University of Sydney scholars based at the Charles Perkins Centre, the Brain and Mind Centre, the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, the Kolling Institute of Medical Research, and Sydney School of Public Health have received prestigious Dementia Research Development Fellowships worth up to $625,000 each.
The fellowships, announced by Federal Minister for Health Sussan Ley and Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham, have been awarded to 76 Australian researchers. The fellowships, totalling more than $43 million, are jointly funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council.
Dementia includes a constellation of illnesses causing a progressive decline in a person's mental functioning but most commonly is due to Alzheimer's disease. It can affect memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language and judgment. Approximately 330,000 Australians are living with dementia, which is expected to affect more than 100 million people across the globe by 2050.
Dr Emily Reeve, a postdoctoral researcher at the Kolling Institute, was awarded $623,000 to establish new evidence-based de-prescribing guidelines for people with dementia. People with dementia are at risk of drug-related complications because they have diminishing cognitive function and lowered decision-making autonomy. The four-year research project will establish guidelines for doctors, pharmacists and patients/carers.
Dr Loren Mowszowski, a neuropsychologist at the Brain and Mind Centre, will receive $544,000 to develop cognitive interventions for older people who are at risk of dementia due to early-stage neurodegenerative disease. Scholars at the Brain and Mind Centre won six of the ten fellowships awarded to University of Sydney researchers.
This short video reveals how the Brain and Mind Centre is leading generational change for disorders of the brain and mind.
Dr Angela D’Rozario at the Woolcock’s Sleep Research Group was awarded $525,000 to assess whether improving sleep can improve mental functioning among people who have mild cognitive impairment, which is a risk factor for dementia.
Fast facts – dementia
- More than 330,000 Australians are living with dementia.
- More than 1700 new cases of dementia are diagnosed in Australia weekly.
- Without effective prevention or a cure, more than a million Australians will be living with dementia by 2050.
- Caring for dementia patients is overwhelming for caregivers. The stresses include physical, emotional and economic pressures. Caregivers require support from health, social, financial and legal systems.
- Dementia will become the third greatest source of health and residential aged care spending within two decades.
Related articles
Surge in flu this winter
People suffering severe flu this winter should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
$100,000 Writer in Residence Fellowship to combat obesity
Expressions of interest have opened for a $100,000 Writer in Residence Fellowship to join the fight against obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
NHMRC funding recognises University of Sydney's research excellence
This outstanding result includes funding of more than $7 million for three NHMRC centres of research excellence dedicated to the early prevention of obesity in childhood, protecting the public from emerging infectious diseases and creating a more sustainable healthcare system, with a focus on cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Thousands of dollars in scholarships still available for 2016
If you’re studying at Sydney next year there are numerous scholarships still open for new and current students across many study areas including engineering, the sciences, education, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, medicine, social work, engineering, and business.
Dementia tsunami: Alzheimer's and other dementias to triple by 2050
Governments need to take action on delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, argues Associate Professor Lesley Russell.
University continues to excel in Times Higher Education subject rankings
The excellence of our research, teaching and citations underpin our positioning in the Times Higher Education subject rankings.
Ready, set, Rio: Sydney cohort heads to the Games
As more than 3.5 billion people around the world turn their sights towards Rio this week, 30 athletes from our community are getting ready to take their place on the globe’s biggest sporting stage.
Australian study wants your view on personal genomic testing
Do you want to know about your genetic information? Would you share it?
Why now is the best time to go on a diet, or the science of post-holiday weight loss
Understanding the body's responses to excess energy intake could give you the edge for a successful New Year's resolution, says Associate Professor Amanda Salis.
Is obesity a disease?
Health and medical experts, industry and key decision makers will debate the classification of obesity when they gather at Obesity Australia's fifth annual summit at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre on 22 June.