Targeted treatment for dementia project shares in $4.5 million research funding

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation has today announced funding for 23 new research projects with a combined total of $4.5 million invested into Australian dementia research.  

Examples of projects funded in the 2025 Grant Program include one aiming to develop personalised dementia prevention strategies. Another will explore how the way brain cells produce energy could hold the key to understanding the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.  

Adelaide University’s Dr Maddison Mellow was awarded the Dr Maree Farrow Memorial Post-Doctoral Fellowship worth $450,000 to conduct the study into how we can personalise dementia prevention strategies.  

“Although we can’t change getting older, genetics or family history, we know that there are a range of things we can do to reduce our dementia risk, such as getting enough exercise, eating healthy and looking after our heart health,” Dr Mellow said.  

“Currently there is a ‘one size fits all’ approach to prescribing lifestyle changes when it comes to risk reduction. This approach doesn’t take into account that every individual has unique life experience, health conditions, preferences and daily routines, which means they may need (or prefer) different intervention approaches than the next person. 

“We will examine how factors like age, sex and personal health history impact what interventions result in the best brain health outcomes for each individual and, using this new knowledge, we will create new methods and tools that can be used to design dementia prevention programs fully personalised to the individual.” 

Senior Research Officer at The Florey Dr Francesca Alves was awarded the Race Against Dementia Post-Doctoral Fellowship worth $735,000 for her project which aims to find new ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease by focusing on how brain cells produce energy. 

“In Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells struggle to produce enough energy to stay healthy and do their jobs properly,” Dr Alves said.   

“This energy failure may be a key reason why cells become damaged and die, leading to memory loss and other symptoms. Yet most current treatments do not address this problem. 

“With this project we will develop a new brain scan that can measure energy production in the brain. If successful, it could also aid in early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.  

“The final part of the project will be developing and testing a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease by delivering energy directly into brain cells.” 

Dementia Australia Research Foundation Chair Professor Graeme Samuel AC congratulated the successful 2025 grant recipients. 

“The range and diversity of projects selected shows there is a very exciting future ahead for dementia research,” Professor Samuel said.  

“As the largest non-government funder of dementia research, the Dementia Australia Research Foundation is committed to supporting researchers working towards providing better treatment, care and support options for people living with dementia, their families and carers,” Professor Samuel said. 

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the Dementia Australia Research Foundation’s work wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of donors.  

“All funding for the Dementia Australia Research Foundation is donated by members of the public and by private and philanthropic organisations,” Professor Buchanan said. 

“Thank you to every single supporter who makes funding such important and exciting Australian dementia research possible.” 

The Dementia Australia Research Foundation acknowledges the generosity of donors who  support dementia research and the grants program. Since 2000, almost $40 million in funding has supported more than 400 projects through the Dementia Grants Program. 

For a full list of 2025 Grant Round recipients is available here.

-Ends- 

Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 446,500 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you. 

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au  

Race Against Dementia was established by world champion racing driver, Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE after his wife, Helen, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. The charity raises funds to support researchers across the globe to find cures for dementia. Along with funding their researchers receive training inspired by the high-performance mentality found in Formula 1. Race Against Dementia is an official charity partner of Formula 1. 

Media contacts: David Gear, Media and Communications Advisor, [email protected], 0435 515 221 

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines. 

Note to Editors: 

We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:  

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.