Boost to Queensland’s dementia research

People with dementia may have new hope with a significant boost to research funding following the Queensland Premier’s announcement of $9 million in funding over the next five years for The Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CADR) at The University of Queensland.

Based at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at the University of Queensland, CADR was established in 2011 with a research driven approach to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

QBI director, Professor Perry Bartlett, says both earlier (or improved) diagnosis and new treatment of the condition may result.

The funds will help attract more of the world’s brightest neuroscientists and advance diagnostic tools for early intervention and clinical trials of new therapeutic approaches currently being explored at CADR.

“This is a fantastic boost to our capabilities of translating our discoveries into new diagnostics and therapeutic treatments of dementia,” Professor Bartlett said.

“In addition it will fast track our work, which aims to bolster the function of the ageing brain and offers the opportunity to improve learning and memory in an ageing population,” he said.

Clem Jones Foundation chairman, David Muir, claimed the state government support would have been welcome news for the late Lord Mayor Clem Jones, after whom the Centre was named.

“If Clem was alive he would be over the moon with the announcement by Premier Campbell Newman of the grant of $9 million to the Centre,” he said.

The announcement has also been praised by Alzheimer’s Australia Qld chief executive, Victoria Beedle.

“Increased funding for dementia research is a priority for Alzheimer’s Australia,” Ms Beedle said.

“It is vital that all levels of government provide support, as Queensland has now done. The $9 million funding from the state government is a step in the right direction and it is my hope that Queensland has now set the scene for the rest of the country.”