Australian Alzheimer’s study

A major Australian study to better understand Alzheimer's disease has started.

The $10 million Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) Flagship Study of Ageing has brought together leading Australian researchers for a three-year study to improve understanding of the causes and diagnosis of the disease, to examine lifestyle and diet factors that may influence the onset of Alzheimer's and to help develop preventative strategies.

It will be one of the world's largest studies of its type involving positron emission tomography (PET) scans using Pittsburgh Compound-B (PIB), a PET amyloid-imaging agent. The scans are used to show differences between the brains of Alzheimer's patients and healthy volunteers.

The study was established by the CSIRO-led Preventative Health National Research Flagship, and involves Edith Cowan University, the University of Melbourne, Neurosciences Australia and the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria.