Scientists from the Florey, in collaboration with other Australian institutes, are now one step closer to a blood test for Alzheimer’s disease

"One step closer to a blood test for Alzheimer's"

They identified blood-based biological markers that are associated with the build up of a toxic protein in the brain which occurs years before symptoms appear and irreversible brain damage has occurred.

"Early detection is critical if we are to make any real difference in the battle against Alzheimer's, giving those at risk a much better chance of receiving treatment earlier, before it’s too late to do much about it," said Dr Samantha Burnham from CSIRO’s Preventative Health Flagship.

Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia. One quarter of a million Australians currently suffer from dementia and given our ageing population, this is predicted to increase to one million people by 2050.

Sophisticated mathematical models were used to analyse data from 273 participants in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle study of ageing (AIBL).

This identified nine markers that correlate with brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging measurements of a toxic protein, amyloid beta, which deposits in the brain as plaques early in disease development.

"The progressive build up of the toxic protein, amyloid beta, is one of the earliest changes in the brain associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease," said Dr Noel Faux, from the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health.

"A recent study from the AIBL team showed that amyloid beta levels become abnormal about 17 years before dementia symptoms appear. This gives us a much longer time to intervene to try to slow disease progression if we are able to detect cases early."

Dr Burnham adds “We hope our continued research will lead to the development of a low cost, minimally invasive population based screening test for Alzheimer’s."

"A blood test would be the ideal first stage to help identify many more people at risk before a diagnosis is confirmed with cognitive tests and PET imaging or cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) testing."

The results have been published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

http://www.csiro.au/Portals/Media/One-step-closer-to-a-blood-test-fo

Abstract Submissions extended until Friday 30th August

Due to popular request, the deadline for abstract submission has been extended until this Friday 30th August at 5pm.

  

Don't miss out on this invaluable opportunity to present your research, hear from a prestigious guest speaker, and network with other young brain researchers from across Melbourne. Plenty of excellent prizes will be awarded to the most outstanding young researchers on the day.

This free symposium will be held at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Royal Parade, Parkville) on Wednesday 30^th October, with more details to follow in the coming months.

Abstract submissions
Submit your abstract by filling out the abstract submission form and sending your completed form to sobrnetwork@gmail.com by 5pm 30th of August. 

Submissions can be made for poster presentations or oral presentations, the latter of which will automatically be considered for a poster presentation should the submission not be accepted for an oral presentation.

The abstract submission form can be downloaded here and an example submission for is provided here for those who need some help.

Registrations
All attendees (whether presenting or non-presenting) must register for the symposium by 24th of September via the following link: http://www.trybooking.com/DEUZ

Abstract submissions now open for SOBR Symposium 2013

Registrations and Abstract Submissions Now Open for The SOBR Symposium 2013!!

We are pleased to inform you that abstract submissions for the upcoming 2013 SOBR Symposium are now open. This free symposium will provide you with an invaluable opportunity to present your research, hear from a prestigious guest speaker, and network with other young brain researchers from across Melbourne. Plenty of excellent prizes will be awarded to the most outstanding young researchers on the day. The symposium will be held at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Royal Parade, Parkville) on Wednesday 30th October, with more details to follow in the coming months.

Registrations
All attendees (whether presenting or non-presenting) must register for the symposium by 24th of September via the following link: http://www.trybooking.com/DEUZ


Abstract submissions
Submit your abstract by filling out the abstract submission form and sending your completed form to sobrnetwork@gmail.com by 24th of August. 

Submissions can be made for poster presentations or oral presentations, the latter of which will automatically be considered for a poster presentation should the submission not be accepted for an oral presentation.

The abstract submission form can be downloaded here and an example submission for is provided here for those who need some help.



We look forward to reading your submissions and should you require any further help with the submission of your abstracts simply email sobrnetwork@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Abstract help’.

Sobr - Professional Development Dinner 2013

Dear fellow students, 

Following last year's great success, have a look at what we organised for the 2013 dinner: 

Special speakers for this year are 

Dr. Graham Mitchell, from 'Foursight Associates'; 

Dr. Elizabeth Finkel, scientist and scientific writer; 

Dr. Chris Langmead, head of Servier Australia. 

+

30 other VIP guest from the science, industry and communication field

Bookings available from: http://www.trybooking.com/CTIS

For more information you can send an email to: media.sobr@gmail.com

Australian Research Council CEO Professor Aidan Byrne

Dear Victorian EMCRs,


The Australian Early Mid Career Researcher Forum is pleased to welcome the Australian Research Council CEO Professor Aidan Byrne to meet with emerging scientists from universities and research institutes in Melbourne.
Forum Member Dr Sharath Sriram from RMIT University will lead the Q&A Session – please bring along your questions and your ideas for improving the future of Australian science.
The Forum thanks Professor Doug Hilton and the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute for generously hosting this event.
All early and mid career researchers are welcome. Please join us. A great opportunity not to be missed!

When: Friday, April 5th 12pm – 1pm

Where: Lecture Theatre, Level 7, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville

Discussion points include:

• The future of Future Fellowships
• ARC initiatives for early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs)
• ARC policies on gender equity and mentoring
• ARC peer review – does it work for EMCRs?

For further information:

http://www.wehi.edu.au/education/seminars_conferences/special_seminars/

ICT for Life Science Forum: A map of the Brain

Dr Allan Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the Allen Institute for Brain Science (producers of the Allen human brain atlas), Seattle will be giving a talk entitled "A map of the brain" on Thursday 21st February. Refreshments will be provided from 5-6pm with the talk commencing at 6pm. 
Click here to register!

THINK ABOUT IT.. 

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health organized a successful School Outreach Program since 2009 and it’s now time to plan for 2013. The program, rebranded ‘THINK ABOUT IT’, entails a neuroscientist visiting a school and talking to Year 10-12 students about aspects of the brain or a career in medical research. 

The talks can range between 20-45 min including discussion and are organized during Brain Awareness Week (11-17th March, 2013). Some schools request topics and they try to match the topic with the neuroscientist’s expertise as we find this to be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health is looking for neuroscientists who would like to share their knowledge. The good news, there is no age limit on participation, everyone is welcome!
Hope you can be involved.

ICT for Life Science has some interesting seminars coming up next month, starting with a seminar by Dr Alcino Silver, Director of the UCLA Integrative Centre for Learning and Memory. Dr Silver will be presenting his research on repairing the adult mind on February 6th at the Melbourne Brain Centre. Refreshments will be provided prior to the presentation which begins at 6pm.

Register here!