Public forum on biotech's role in treatment of dementias and Alzheimer's

With more than 332,000 Australians currently living with dementia and this figure expected to increase to 400,000 in less than a decade¹, AusBiotech will hold a free public forum with Australia’s leading experts discussing what the future holds for the treatment and prevention of dementias and Alzheimer’s and the supports available for those affected.

The condition is the third leading cause of death in Australia with no known cure¹. One in 10 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia¹ and, with 24% of the Gold Coast population 60 years and older², topics such as the future of dementia and Alzheimer’s are of particular importance to local residents.

The forum will be chaired by internationally acclaimed pioneer researcher into Alzheimer’s disease Professor Ralph Martins AO, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research & Care at Edith Cowan University.

Leading experts will present:

• Medical research perspective: Medical researchers working in the field will talk about the latest research developments and where research is heading.
  - Professor Ira Shoulson, Prof of Neurology, Pharmacology and Human Services, Georgetown University, Washington DC; and non-executive Director of Prana Biotechnology
  - Professor Pankaj Sah, Deputy Director (Research), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI)

• Patient and family perspective: To give a broader overview of the human challenges of cognitive decline and what support is available.
  - Victoria Beedle, Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer’s Australia (Qld)
  - Sanjeeta Mackrani, Business Development Manager, Alzheimer’s Queensland

• A biotech perspective: Biotech companies working at the interface of translating research and developing potential treatments.
  - Dr Peter French, CEO, Benitec and cell and molecular biologist

Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the accumulation of tangles and plaques in the brain at a far quicker rate than normal ageing. This is caused by abnormal reactions between naturally occurring metals in the brain, including copper, zinc and iron. While these metals are necessary for healthy brain function, in particular forming new memories, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, the metals are bound in amyloid deposits and impaired.

Professor Shoulson and Prana Biotechnology are developing technology that aims to make these metals available to form new memories; to prevent the accumulation of toxic proteins and the resultant damage inside neurons; and to improve neuronal health and function by restoring normal copper and zinc levels.

Benitec Biopharma is a biotechnology company developing gene silencing technology for treating serious human diseases, including Alzheimer’s, to be used for long-term treatment and, the hope is, to one day cure with a single dose.

Changes in memory are one of the early hallmarks of early changes in dementia. Professor Pankaj Sah’s research group at the QBI studies the neural circuits and mechanisms that underpin learning and memory, researching a range of neurological and mental disorders, and therapeutic approaches to treatment - both pharmacological and invasive - such as deep brain stimulation and lesional. Professor Sah’s expertise is in synaptic transmission and function of neural circuits.

Alzheimer’s Australia is working to reduce the impact of dementia on the community, by providing education, information and support for people with dementia, their families and carers, and raising public awareness.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Queensland (AAQ) works to help maintain the quality of life of people diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers and is now the largest provider of dementia-specific care, education, information and support services.

Event details

Date: Friday 31 October
Time: 10.00-11.30 am, followed by an opportunity for the general public to view the conference exhibition
Venue: Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, 2684-690 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Qld

Registration is free but required. Visit http://ausbiotechnc.org/highlight-events.

References

1. Alzheimer’s Australia ‘Statistics’. Available at http://www.fightdementia.org.au/understanding-dementia/statistics.aspx
2. City of Gold Coast (2011). ‘Census’. Available at http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/gold-coast-census-2011.pdf