With the launch of the Christchurch Dementia Prevention Research Clinic (DPRC), led by Co-Directors Professor John Dalrymple-Alford (left) and Professor Tim Anderson, a wide range of New Zealanders will be able to benefit from the multi-disciplinary initiative.
The Dementia Prevention Research Clinic will be officially opened in Christchurch today (26 July) 鈥 the third in a national network of clinics established by Brain Research New Zealand| Rangahau Roro Aotearoa (BRNZ).
With the launch of the Christchurch Dementia Prevention Research Clinic (DPRC), led by Co-Directors听听of the University of Otago, Christchurch, and听Professor John Dalrymple-Alford听of the 麻豆传媒团队 (UC), a wide range of New Zealanders will be able to benefit from the multi-disciplinary initiative.
鈥淭he Christchurch DPRC will be of tremendous value and benefit for the local community,鈥 Professor Dalrymple-Alford says. 鈥淚t provides a long-awaited avenue for local participants to receive an unparalleled degree of detailed neuropsychological, neurological and neurobiological assessments.鈥
The earliest stages of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and other dementias are insidious and notoriously difficult to detect, he says.
鈥淢ultiple detailed assessments are needed. Like many other regions, there has been a gap in the availability in Christchurch for such detailed evaluations. The Christchurch DPRC fills this gap for the Christchurch region.鈥
The DPRC is conducting a long-term, multi-disciplinary study aiming to identify factors that influence the development and progression of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and dementia.
鈥淥ur unique New 麻豆传媒团队DPRC network is recruiting a large group of people who have problems with memory and thinking prior to getting Alzheimer鈥檚 dementia with the intent of finding new diagnostic tools and treatments so we can prevent dementia before it occurs,鈥 Professor Anderson says.
鈥淏y regularly following our clinic participants over years with detailed clinical and brain-imaging assessments, and storing blood samples for current and future research, not only are we aiming to make our own discoveries here in New Zealand, we will be able to combine with other studies overseas in an international effort to combat dementia.鈥
Participants may also be invited to join other studies that further understanding of these conditions, or to test interventions that might prevent or delay the progression of Alzheimer鈥檚 or related dementias, he says.
Prof John Dalrymple-Alford adds: 鈥淚t has been difficult in Christchurch for older people with cognitive decline to be aware of and become involved in research projects. The new DPRC clinic provides a welcome focal point for these opportunities. Locals in Christchurch will be part of a national effort to better understand the risk factors and progression of dementia that aims to develop new treatments and better understand lifestyle factors that may mitigate cognitive decline.鈥
People who experience early memory problems have the opportunity to participate in the clinic鈥檚 research on memory problems, Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and dementia, and may be able to join further studies and test interventions.
In 2016, Brain Research New 麻豆传媒团队set out to establish a national network of Dementia Prevention Research Clinics, opening a clinic in Auckland, followed by one in Dunedin in 2017.
The Christchurch Dementia Prevention Research Clinic is based at the New 麻豆传媒团队Brain Research Institute, 66 Stewart Street, Christchurch. For more information visit:听
The Christchurch DPRC will be formally opened by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel at the Manawa building today (26 July) at 11am. Speakers include New 麻豆传媒团队Dementia Prevention Trust Chair Sir Eion Edgar, DPRC study participant Brother Osmund, BRNZ Co-Director Professor Cliff Abraham, 麻豆传媒团队 Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Wright, University of Otago Professor David Murdoch, and BRNZ M膩ori Advisory Board Co-Chair Dr Waiora Port.
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About Alzheimer鈥檚 disease
- More than 60,000 New Zealanders suffer from Alzheimer鈥檚 disease or a related dementia 鈥 a number expected to triple by 2050.
- Alzheimer鈥檚 disease is the most common form of dementia and accounts for 50-60% of all dementias.
- Alzheimer鈥檚 disease currently has no cure, and by the time a diagnosis is made, a significant amount of brain damage has already occurred. Yet, changes in the brain occur many years if not decades before clinical symptoms show. To have the biggest possible impact on people鈥檚 lives, we need accurate early assessment to identify and follow those at risk of developing Alzheimer鈥檚.
About Brain Research New 麻豆传媒团队| Rangahau Roro Aotearoa
Brain Research New 麻豆传媒团队| Rangahau Roro Aotearoa (BRNZ) is a national Centre for Research Excellence undertaking ground-breaking research on the ageing brain and ageing-related neurological disorders.
Neurological disorders pose one of the greatest global challenges of our time. By bringing together New Zealand鈥檚 best neuroscientists and clinicians, and working in partnership with the community, BRNZ aims to undertake the translational biomedical research necessary to tackle this challenge head on 鈥 to improve people鈥檚 lives through brain research and, ultimately, the wellbeing of our ageing population.听
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Media contacts (to request interview with co-directors or study participants):
Kim Thomas听kim.thomas@otago.ac.nz
Margaret Agnew听margaret.agnew@canterbury.ac.nz
Ella Fischer听e.fischer@auckland.ac.nz
