Frontier Frontotemporal Dementia Research Group

Frontier is a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research clinic that investigates frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in collaboration with ForeFront Ageing and Neurodegeneration. FTD is Australia’s second most common degenerative disease that causes dementia in younger adults.  As the first ever research group to concentrate on FTD in Australia, Frontier is dedicated to identifying better ways to diagnose FTD, finding the cause and developing effective treatments for the condition. 

Research to understand brain changes in frontotemporal dementia

Our multidisciplinary research examines the neurological, psychological and biological brain function in FTD, as well as how the disease impacts on the lives of patients and their families. Our team is currently investigating:

• apathy in dementia
• social cognition and memory changes in FTD
• progression of structural and functional brain changes in FTD
• metabolic changes in FTD
• severity rating scales – how FTD symptoms change over time
• neuropathology in FTD – cellular changes 
• clinical, imaging and biological markers for early disease identification
• genetics
• cognition in motor neurone disease, a condition closely related to FTD
• the impact of FTD on those living with the condition, their carers and family members
• developing effective support interventions for carers and families.

Are you a patient living with FTD? Help us find a cure – get involved in our research.

Donate today

Help us impact the lives of people affected by frontotemporal dementia. With your support, our research can make a real difference. We welcome any gift, large or small, so make a donation today.

Diagnostic tests for clinicians

We have developed a range of tests to help clinicians accurately assess cognitive function and diagnose frontotemporal dementia in patients, such as the ACE-III and the Frontier Executive Screen test. Access the tests here.

If you would like to know when these tests are updated or changed, please email us so we can keep you informed.