Research Programs
Molecular Understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease
This foundational research program is aimed at achieving a molecular / cellular-level understanding of Alzheimer’s disease that underpins the more applied ‘translational’ research in the Centre. This research also has the potential for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs.
Diagnostics and Biomarkers
This translational program is aimed at early-stage identification of Alzheimer’s disease, and also at assessing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. An integrated model of disease pathogenesis will be incorporated into diagnostic strategies that are directly relevant to the disease process. These strategies not only offer a means of targeting treatment to those most likely to benefit, but also allow for AD therapy to be carefully and rationally monitored and assessed.
Lifestyle Interventions
This translational program is aimed at non-pharmacological and low-cost lifestyle interventions to improve the health of the elderly, with a focus on those at risk of, or with AD, and also on the ongoing role of non-pharmaceutical interventions as disease-modifying factors. This aspect of the overall research program is inextricably linked with the concepts of disease pathogenesis that underlie the Centre’s approach, and will utilise similar assessment and monitoring techniques.
Population Based Health Outcomes
An enabling research program based on the evaluation of population-based health outcomes, including the clinical epidemiology of the disease, patterns of care utilisation of health and palliative care services, and patient outcomes, to establish the practical efficacy of interventions in improving health outcomes at the population level.
Care Strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease
The research program into care strategies for Alzheimer’s disease will begin in 2007 with the appointment of the Program Leader and a postdoctoral research fellow.
Clinical Trials and Therapeutics
Facilitating the translation of research into practice, this program aims to establish the safety and efficacy of candidate drugs and therapies. This program will commence later, as it will draw on outcomes from previous research.
Research Program Leaders
Research Program Leaders have been established across five of the research program areas for the Centre of Excellence.
Molecular understanding of Alzheimer’s disease |
Prof Ralph Martins |
Diagnostics and biomarkers |
Prof David Bruce |
Lifestyle intervention |
Prof Rob Newton |
Clinical Trials and Therapeutics |
Dr Roger Clarnette |
Population based health outcomes |
Prof James Semmens |
Care strategies for Alzheimer’s disease |
A/Prof Chris Toye |
