Government is our ‘only hope’
The federal government is our “only hope” of generating a better understanding of the development of Alzheimer’s disease and the treatment of the condition, according to Glenn Rees, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Australia.
The federal government is our “only hope” of generating a better understanding of the development of Alzheimer’s disease and the treatment of the condition, according to Glenn Rees, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Australia.
Mr Rees’ comments called for an “immediate injection” of $200 million into dementia research in the 2013-14 federal budget after the release of a study last week which found the path of Alzheimer’s reportedly develops 20 years before diagnosis.
The findings of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (AIBL) study provide further confirmation that doctors could possibly intervene years before the symptoms of dementia begin to show, he claimed.
“If doctors could do this, then we would have a chance of delaying the progression of the condition,” Mr Rees explained. “But, we still need to develop tests which could readily and cheaply identify those at risk. And, we still need to develop medically proven interventions to delay onset.”
He claimed there was “no chance” of doing this if research funds did not become accessible.
“Worse still, I understand that the continuation of this study is now at risk due to lack of funding,” Mr Rees added.
Alzheimer’s Australia believes the AIBL study, to be published in The Lancet Neurology, is further evidence of Australia’s urgent need for the increase in funding sought in the Fight Dementia Campaign.
“It also shows Australia has world leaders in dementia research and we need to support them and give them the opportunity to carry on this work.
“It is critical research projects of this kind receive support from the federal government. They are our only hope of generating a better understanding of the development of Alzheimer’s disease and the treatment of the condition.”
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) allocated $21.5 million for dementia research in 2012-2013. For that same period the NHMRC provided funding of $162.4 million on cancer research; $93.6 million on cardiovascular disease research; $63 million on diabetes research; and $55.1 million on mental health research.
