Alzheimer's disease


Understanding the causes of and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease


Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia, a group of brain disorders that affect a person’s memory, thinking and ability to interact socially. Alzheimer’s disease affects about 1 in 10 people over 65 years, and almost 1 in 4 people over 85 years.

At present, we don’t know what causes Alzheimer’s disease. We do know that people with this illness have abnormal material that builds up in their brain. These protein ‘tangles’ and ‘plaques’ disrupt communication between brain cells and lead to eventual cell death and brain shrinkage. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Available treatments only target symptoms, not the underlying biological cause of the disease.

We are conducting research into the role of inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease in order to find potential targets for therapeutic intervention. We are also studying how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain and body early in the disease, with the aim of developing a diagnostic test. Through our research on healthy ageing, we are working with Indigenous communities to increase our knowledge about ageing and dementia in Australian Aboriginal people living in urban areas.



The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN) study


Genetics of early onset Alzheimer's disease

Dementia is usually thought of as a disease of ageing. However, the burden of young onset dementia, with symptoms occurring before age 65, has recently been identified as an important area not well supported by the health care system. Dr Bill Brooks has continued his development of information and support systems for use by families that have early onset hereditary dementias.

Causes, consequences and costs of injury-related hospitalisations for people with dementia: identify

This research program explores the influence of dementia on the pattern of hospital admissions, clinical care, health outcomes and economic costs of older people with an injury-related hospitalisation. It provides data on the impact of injury on a person with dementia and the health system more generally.






Understanding and preventing physical and cognitive decline and falls in older people with dementia

Falls and functional decline are common in people with dementia. Falls are more likely to result in injury, death and institutionalisation when compared to older people without dementia. There is limited evidence that falls can be prevented in people with dementia. Strategies aimed at maintaining independence and preventing decline and falls are urgently needed. This research will a) further our understanding of fall risk and functional decline and b) explore novel fall and decline prevention programs, including the use of technology in older people with dementia.

Alzheimer's disease

This project focuses on how pathology spreads during disease progression, the link between amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathology, and down-stream mechanisms of Aβ- and tau toxicity.

Falls, ageing and dementia in Indigenous Australians


Koori Growing Old Well Study


NeuroSleep: A NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence


Role of the glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3B) and microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT) genes in neurodegeneration

Both GSK3B and MAPT genes control crucial processes in the cell. We have shown that genetic polymorphisms in these two genes interact to increase risk for late-onset, idiopathic neurodegeneration. We aim to discover whether the two genes will have an effect in other diseases and to determine the biological mechanisms in the genes act to increase disease risk.

Positional cloning of a chromosome 16 dementia / motor neurone disease gene


Eating and metabolic changes in FTD and MND


Koori active and healthy ageing project


What else is happening in Alzheimer’s disease research at NeuRA?