Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Dementia is the second-leading cause of death in Australia at present, and predictions are that more than one million Australians will be living with the disease by 2050.

Can manipulation of neuropathic signalling protect or restore cognitive function? Can encouraging animal studies, combined with electrophysiological recordings in humans, lead to a breakthrough? Could ultrasound-based therapies to remove plaque from the brain make a pronounced difference?

All these avenues are being explored by our researchers across multiple projects so that we can better understand the mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, driving treatment and interventions for the future.

Research in this field is strongly linked to technological breakthroughs in numerous areas, including super-resolution microscopy and ultrasound interventions for human health.

Driving treatments and interventions for dementia

Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR) works closely with industry and clinical partners to progress research from discovery to treatment.

Basic neuroscience and Alzheimer's research

The Götz laboratory, which forms part CJCADR, aims to understand disease initiation and progression at a molecular and cellular level using cellular and animal models, and to develop novel therapies.

Synaptic plasticity

The Sah laboratory uses electrophysiology and molecular techniques, in conjunction with behavioural studies, to understand the neural circuitry that underpins learning and memory formation.

How and why certain neurons die in neurodegenerative diseases

The Coulson lab is focused on the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and its role in neuronal loss, particularly the nerve cell degeneration that occurs in cholinergic neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

Determining how brain cells communicate and survive in health and disease

The Meunier Lab focuses on the molecular events that govern vesicular trafficking within presynaptic nerve terminals and neurosecretory cells.

Cognitive and clinical neuropsychology

The Robinson Group is focused on both theoretical questions about brain-behaviour relationships like the crucial mechanisms for the executive control of language, and clinical questions regarding cognitive assessment and management of various pathologies.

Explore our groups