Above: Alzheimer’s Australia Qld CEO Victoria Beedle says she hopes other state governments follow Queensland’s lead
The Queensland government has announced a five-year research funding deal worth $9 million for University of Queensland’s (UQ) Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CADR).
The funding will go towards attracting neuroscientists, developing diagnostic tools for early intervention and clinical trials of approaches under investigation at CADR, which is based at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at UQ.
QBI Director Professor Perry Bartlett said the research may lead to improved diagnosis and new treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“This is a fantastic boost to our capabilities of translating our discoveries into new diagnostics and therapeutic treatments of dementia,” Prof 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.
Alzheimer’s Australia Queensland CEO Victoria Beedle has welcomed the announcement.
“$9 million 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,” Ms Beedle said.
Increased funding for dementia research is a priority for Alzheimer’s Australia and it is vital that all levels of government provide support, she said.
Clem Jones Foundation Chairman David Muir the centre’s namesake, the late Lord Mayor Clem Jones, would be “over the moon” with the funding announcement.
“Clem would applaud the Queensland Government for being prepared to spend millions of dollars on medical research to find a cure for ageing dementia in order to save billions of dollars of expense in caring for future generations,” Mr Muir said.
This is fantastic; just a pity there is not as much interest in financing care research for those already living with dementia – an ever increasing epidemic.