Using ultrasound to delay the effects of dementia

UQ’s Professor Jurgen Gotz, chairman of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research

Safety testing of a pioneering ultrasound technique that could delay the effects of dementia will begin in Brisbane late next year, led by University of Queensland 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 UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) in 2015 is safe to use in the fight against the degenerative condition.

UQ QBI Director Professor Pankaj Sah said government and philanthropic funding would help researchers accelerate the development of the technique, 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 late next year 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.”

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.”

Learn more: New funding takes UQ towards clinical trials of dementia ultrasound treatment