Our clinical research group is dedicated to the study of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related disorders, notably motor neurone disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The members of the frontotemporal dementia group (FRONTIER - www.ftdrg.org) are investigating the cognitive, behavioural, psychological, and brain changes associated with this disease and the impact on patients and their families. They are also studying how changes in FTD differ from those seen in other progressive neurodegenerative brain disorders, and in healthy aging.
Click here to access Prof John Hodges' research papers:
John Hodges trained in medicine and psychiatry in London, Southampton and Oxford before gravitating to neurology and becoming enamoured by neuropsychology. In 1990, he was appointed a University Lecturer in Cambridge and in 1997 became MRC Professor of Behaviour Neurology. A sabbatical in Sydney in 2002 with Glenda Halliday rekindled a love of sea, sun and surf which culminated in a move here in 2007. He has written over 400 papers on aspects of neuropsychology (especially memory and languages) and dementia, plus six books. He is building a multidisciplinary research group focusing on aspects of frontotemporal dementia.
Advancing knowledge on FTD by using a range of research methodsFTD is varied in the way it presents. Some patients have changes in behaviour and personality while others have progressive loss of language ability (aphasia). |
Brain imagingFrontotemporal dementia predominantly affects two regions of the brain: the frontal and temporal lobes. |
Caregiver BurdenIt is well known that dementia causes distress, especially for family members closely involved with a patient. In FTD, however, little research has been done to understand caregiver stress. |
Cognition in Motor Neurone Disease (MND)Classically, motor neurone disease (MND) has been considered a pure motor syndrome which spares aspects of cognition, behaviour and emotional processing. |
Coping with everyday life disabilitiesEveryday life can be affected by FTD in different ways. |
Deficits in emotion processing and autobiographical memory and their impact on carersHow is the processing of emotion impaired in FTD? How does it affect the ability to remember meaningful and important information from one's life? How does it affect interpersonal relationships? |
Identifying biomarkersIn order to develop treatments and effective interventions for patients with FTD, the underlying process of brain degeneration needs to be identified early in the disease course. |
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NeuropathologyUnlike other neurodegenerative conditions, people with FTD may have one of a number different underlying cellular brain changes. |
Severity rating scales and everyday life impactAs time passes, FTD can create progressive difficulties in patients. For instance, behaviours, the ability to perform some cognitive tests, and the ability to do activities can change. |
