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
The Latest on: Dementia
[google_news title=”” keyword=”dementia” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Dementia
- How now not to feel guilty about struggling to visit a parent with dementiaon May 1, 2024 at 9:15 am
Dementia is a challenging illness for both the person experiencing it and their loved ones, and you might find yourself struggling with feelings of gu
- Mandatory DMV Reporting Tied to Dementia Underdiagnosison April 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Rates of underdiagnosed dementia are higher in US states that require clinicians to report a dementia diagnosis to their department of motor vehicles (DMV), new research suggests. Investigators found that primary care physicians (PCPs) in states with ...
- Pensioner, 93, who suffocated dementia-stricken wife in ‘mercy killing’ is jailed for murderon April 30, 2024 at 4:15 am
British pensioner Donald Morely will spend nine years behind bars in Australia after smothering his wife of 69 years with a pillow in their Canberra home last year
- Does obesity really increase your risk of dementia?on April 30, 2024 at 2:18 am
We also know that obesity damages the tiny vessels supplying blood to the brain, and is a major cause of high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic inflammation, all of which have been repeatedly linked to dementia risk.
- Dear Abby: My father has dementia and caring for him is a burdenon April 29, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Dear Abby weighs in on a family member who doesn’t know how to help care for their father who is suffering from dementia, along with one sister and one mother no longer being around to help
via Bing News
