Non-Alzheimer dementia: pathogenesis and clinicopathological correlations [ 2001 - 2003 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Jillian Kril (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Helen Creasey ,  Prof Gary Halliday

Brief description Dementia affects as many as 20% of people in their eighties. Although much of this is caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD), other types of dementia are also important. In this study we will look at two types of non-Alzheimer dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and small vessel cerebrovascular disease (SVD). The clinical symptoms of SVD closely resemble AD. Conversely, FTD results in degeneration of those parts of the brain which are responsible for personality, behaviour and language. We will look at the brains of patients who have died with these diseases and determine the types of neurons which are damaged and their distribution in the brain. We will also investigate whether an individual's genetic make-up influences the development of SVD. In addition, in collaboration with neuropathologists across Australia, we will develop and standardise criteria for the pathological diagnosis of these diseases. Overall, this study will better characterise the pathology of two commonly encountered non-AD dementias and provide valuable insights into their causes.

Funding Amount $AUD 437,036.72

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant