Monash researchers receive $1.1 million for dementia research

Samantha Barton

Two researchers at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP) were awarded highly competitive grants for dementia research in the latest round of NHMRC and ARC funding announcements.

Dr Chris Moran and Ms Samantha Barton have both received joint National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) - Australian Research Council (ARC) Dementia Research Development Fellowships totaling more than $1.1 million.

A geriatrician at Monash Health, Dr Moran is an Early Career Clinical Fellow and senior lecturer in the Stroke and Ageing Research Group, School of Clinical Sciences.

Dr Chris Moran

Dr Moran’s research focuses on the relationship between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia.

“In my previous research I have shown that diabetes is associated with brain shrinkage and that this may be due to processes similar to that seen in Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr Moran.

“To date, I’ve examined the links between diabetes and brain shrinkage at a single point in time and this fellowship will allow me to examine whether diabetes affects brain shrinkage over time.”

Dr Moran will also investigate new mechanisms such as the role of inflammation, and oxidative stress as well as how genes may contribute to the increased risk of dementia in those with type 2 diabetes.
“Better understanding of these mechanisms will help guide prevention and treatments of dementia,” he added.

Also at MHTP, Samantha Barton who has recently completed her PhD at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research will investigate causative mechanisms involved in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the second most common type of dementia.

“FTD is a progressive, incurable and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease,” said Ms Barton.

“An improved understanding of the biology involved in FTD is required in order to develop neuroprotective and reparative treatments that will slow, stop and ultimately repair neurodegeneration.”

Current research has identified the degeneration of the brain in FTD may not be entirely due to nerves themselves and could actually be partly attributed to the surrounding cells within the brain. One of these cell types are oligodendrocytes, critical for nerve maintenance and myelination.

“To date, oligodendrocytes have been highlighted as playing a role in other neurodegenerative diseases but haven’t yet been investigated in FTD and my research will investigate the role of oligodendrocytes in FTD,” added Ms Barton.

Thanks to this fellowship, Ms Barton will spend two years at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK and then two years at the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Division, The Ritchie Centre in Melbourne, investigating the use of stem cell therapy for nerve damage in FTD.

Ms Barton said she aims to help patients suffering these debilitating illnesses and give them hope by identifying the underlying causes of dementia.

“It is only through identifying cause of disease that we can identify potential therapeutic targets.”