Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) welcomes the announcement by Health Minister Greg Hunt to provide $21 million to fund 13 research projects to help tackle dementia.
The new funding includes a project led by Professor Kaarin Anstey from NeuRA and UNSW to develop risk assessment tools for doctors and researchers that will help determine someone’s likelihood of developing dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), diabetes and stroke.
The $2 million project will support development of online tools can be used by people around the world to determine which lifestyle or health factors they may need to better manage in order to achieve healthy ageing.
Anstey’s team recently contributed evidence briefs for the World Health Organisation guidelines to reduce risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Dementia is Australia’s second leading cause of death and in 30 years it is estimated that more than 1 million Australians will be living with dementia,” said Professor Anstey.
“Our research will draw together information on risk factors for common diseases of ageing that increase a person’s risk of developing dementia and streamline risk assessment for medical practitioners, ” she said.
The project includes researchers from United States, Finland and the United Kingdom.
Clinicians, patients, consumers and designers will be involved in trials and the development of the new online tool and smartphone app.
Media contact: David Crisante, NeuRA Media Manager | 0433 943 014
