Safety testing of a pioneering ultrasound technique that could delay the effects of dementia will be progressed, led by UQ's Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) researchers.
Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP has announced $10 million in funding, which along with philanthropic donations, brings UQ closer to its $30 million goal to commence clinical trials and further progress the associated research.
The phase 1 trial involving a small number of patients will explore whether the technique developed at QBI in 2015 is safe to use in the fight against the dementia, which currently has no cure.
QBI Director Professor Pankaj Sah said government and philanthropic funding would help researchers accelerate the development of the technique, and understand the underlying mechanisms and how it might be used to more effectively treat dementia.
“The technology temporarily opens the blood-brain-barrier to remove toxic plaques from the brain and has successfully reversed Alzheimer’s symptoms and restored memory function in animal models,” Professor Sah said.
“The human safety trials are the next step, representing an investment in research that is already underway.
“Funding is essential if we are to continue to move closer to producing a non-invasive treatment for dementia, which affects more than 350,000 people nationwide.”
Find out more about the clinical trial
Urgent action for dementia is critical
Without a medical breakthrough, the number of Australians living with the disease is expected to increase to almost 1.1 million by 2056, bringing the cost of hospitalisation, care and lost productivity to more than $1 trillion.
UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said urgent action for dementia was critical.
“We are thrilled to see Federal and State governments partner with philanthropists and UQ to advance this important work,” he said.
“We must continue to build capacity in the dementia research sector by supporting students and early-career dementia researchers.
“This funding will ensure we keep some of the world’s brightest minds focused on finding a cure for dementia, here in Brisbane.”
The funding will support the 90-strong team of researchers at QBI’s Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR) over the next five years.
UQ highlighted dementia research as a priority in its $500m Not if, when philanthropic campaign which was launched in late 2017.
Ongoing funding from the Clem Jones Foundation has inspired additional donations from the Brazil Family Foundation, McCusker Charitable Foundation and The Yulgilbar Foundation. This support, along with investments from Federal and State governments, and UQ, is pitoval for this research to continue towards its goal of reducing the devastating effects of dementia.
Video: ultrasound to treat dementia
