Frontier at Brain & Mind Centre

01/07/2025

We’re helping to spread the word about an important research project being conducted by Patrick Golemo, a third-year medical student at The University of Sydney, in collaboration with AgHealth Australia.

The project is titled:
“Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in the Farming Community: A Preliminary Investigation of Carers' Perceptions of Risks and Barriers to Care.”

Under the supervision of Dr Carlos Mesa Castrillon, this study aims to better understand the unique challenges carers face when supporting someone with dementia in rural and farming settings.

Patrick is currently seeking participants who are carers of people with dementia living on farms or in rural areas, and would be willing to take part in a confidential interview to share their insights.

If you or someone you know fits this description and is open to contributing to this meaningful research, please get in touch with Dr Carlos via email [Carlos.mesacastrillon@sydney.edu.au].

19/06/2025

We are seeking volunteers to help evaluate a new web-based education program aimed at helping people respond in positive and helpful ways to changed behaviours in their family member or friend with dementia. The program includes modules aimed at helping you approach various changed behaviours: apathy, acting without thinking, social difficulties, anger or agitation, hallucinations and delusions, anxiety or shadowing and communication difficulties. It also includes modules on understanding dementia, and the importance of self-care.

If this program sounds like it might be useful for you, please visit this link to find out more: https://bit.ly/CarersWayAhead
or alternatively, please contact James at: james.carrick@sydney.edu.au

05/06/2025

Hi everyone, here's your friendly reminder to keep your calendar clear for FRONTIER's Carer Information Day on September 24th 2025.

This will be held both in person and via online for those who cannot attend in person.

The registration link has yet to be created so look out for future posts!

FRONTIER CARER INFORMATION DAY - SAVE THE DATE!

On Wednesday 24th September 2025, we will be holding the FRONTIER Carer Information Day. Join us to hear updates of the latest findings from FRONTIER's research in FTD and some key services in the space of carer wellbeing and dementia care.

Registration details and tickets will be out closer to the date!

23/05/2025

Cure MAPT FTD is a global patient advocacy organization focused on finding a cure for frontotemporal dementia (FTD) caused by a mutations in the MAPT gene.

With members in Canada, England, France, New Zealand, Australia, South America, Isreal and the U.S., Cure MAPT FTD unites families, researchers, and advocates worldwide to push for a disease modifying solution.

Cure MAPT FTD is currently seeking MAPT-mutation carriers around the world in an effort to count, record, and galvanize these positive carriers so that we can advocate for trials that would result in a cure. By demonstrating this disease is severely undercounted, Cure MAPT FTD hopes to convince researchers, pharmaceutical executives, and governmental bodies to fast track these potentially life-saving trials.

For more information go to www.curemaptftd.org. And please join their efforts by reaching out to at hello@curemaptftd.org.

Cure MAPT FTD raises awareness of the MAPT genetic mutation causing FTD, assists a global network of MAPT families, and advocates for trials that will lead to a cure.

28/04/2025

Want to feel more confident about the future? Join Dementia Australia's free workshops all about decision-making, care planning, and more.

Check out the dates and details below!

Dates and Locations:

14th April 2025 | 10am – 11:30am | Mosman Seniors Centre

1st May 2025 | 10:30am – 12pm | Dementia Australia, North Ryde

29th May 2025 | 10am – 11:30am | Crows Nest Community Centre

10th June 2025 | 10:30am – 12pm | Dementia Australia, North Ryde

11/04/2025

In recognition of International Primary Progressive Aphasia Awareness Day, Speech Pathology Australia has partnered with our very own Dr Penelope Monroe and Scott Cooper to release a special podcast episode exploring Primary Progressive Aphasia and the vital role of speech pathology.

Have a listen here:

https://soundcloud.com/speechpathologyaustralia/primary-progressive-aphasia-and-speech-pathology-s7e09?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Let’s keep the conversation going and help raise awareness!

04/04/2025

We are pleased to promote the Museum of Contemporary Art's Artful: Art and Dementia Community Day on Wednesday, 9th April 2025.

Event Details
When:
Wednesday, 9th April 2025
Time: 11am–1pm (Drop-in)

Location:
Level 3, National Centre of Creative Learning
Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia
140 George St, The Rocks

About Artful Community Day
Held at the end of each seasonal program, Artful Community Days invite friends, family, and anyone interested in art therapy to celebrate current participants and raise awareness about dementia within the wider community.
Learn more about the MCA Australia's Art and Dementia programs.

Hear from special guests about living with dementia.
View an exhibit of artworks created by participants.
Enjoy refreshments and artmaking activities.
All are welcome! For more information, please visit: https://www.mca.com.au/events-programs/calendar/artful-community-day/

Our Connection with Artful
A few years ago, we connected with the Artful program to learn the benefits of art therapy firsthand. It was a wonderful experience. You can learn more about it through this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fk4k1vojRw

In this enlightening video, Michelle, the Artful producer, shares the profound impact of the Art and Dementia program at the Museum of Contemporary Art Austr...

06/03/2025

FRONTIER CARER INFORMATION DAY - SAVE THE DATE!

On Wednesday 24th September 2025, we will be holding the FRONTIER Carer Information Day. Join us to hear updates of the latest findings from FRONTIER's research in FTD and some key services in the space of carer wellbeing and dementia care.

Registration details and tickets will be out closer to the date!

02/03/2025

Are you caring for someone living with frontotemporal dementia? Carer Conversations are proactive groups for carers and provide an opportunity for you to meet, share and learn with other carers in a supportive environment. Each group is facilitated and supported by health professionals with expertise in FTD, as well as specifically tailored advice on behaviour changes from consultants from Dementia Support Australia. The service is completely free.

Join our FREE local Carer Conversation groups and get support today. Find out more at https://www.dementia.com.au/carer-conversations

28/02/2025

If you like expressing creative artworks, here's something you might like to get behind or get involved with:

https://view.mail.theaftd.org/?qs=43339e4bef14d548663bf48e96c81bc3576118c2808e8a32c4d5a0e1246dcf7faba794d62825f3e263ac66079cec118f21bb84bd3f2afa8b87ba27f24c67a560f5b3c293db01af434f83bc0b254f0c12

There is an AFTD Event for their Annual Education Conference in Denver who are holding an exhibit in celebration of creativity and resilence of individuals affected by FTD.

Whether you are an experienced artist or starting out, they welcome all forms of artwork (paintings, drawings, photography, textiles, ceramincs, audio and more).

Click the link for further details!

16/01/2025

Learn more about what David is doing to improve the clinical care of people living with PPA!

Meet Dr David Foxe, a clinical researcher at the FRONTIER Research Group, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney.

His work revolves around primary progressive aphasias (PPA), which are rare, incurable young-onset dementias that primarily affect speech and language abilities. Dr Foxe explores how individuals with PPA can develop additional symptoms beyond the language disorder, including minor movement (motor) problems.

Using innovative event-based modelling, Dr Foxe is uncovering how these symptoms arise and progress over time. This approach enables clinicians to intervene earlier, providing personalised care that’s tailored to each patient’s unique needs. His work aims to ensure that individuals with PPA—and their families—receive the support they deserve, improving their overall quality of life.

You can read more about Dr David Foxe here 👉 https://www.dementia.org.au/research/our-researchers/david-foxe

💡🧠 You can help us bridge the gap between research and better care for Australians impacted by dementia. Make a difference today: https://tr.ee/XbJNl0mrjR

25/11/2024

New paper by David Foxe and colleagues which investigated the longitudinal functional changes in frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Watch the summary video here: https://youtu.be/Bfg8jgmhbxo?si=pfEV088FPrxmaLap

Read the paper here: https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70028