Upcoming Events

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Past Events

Podcasts and video recordings of several of the CRC’s past events are available here.

Diagnosing Dementia – What Does the Future Hold?

Paul Barclay (Host, ABC Big Ideas) and an expert panel spoke on 13 August about how we might be able to detect and diagnose dementia in the future. They also talked about why this research is an important step forward for finding a treatment and even a cure, and when these techniques might become a reality. This event was recorded for Radio National’s Big Ideas program and will be broadcast in October as part of the ABC’s Mental As week.

Over the past few years, significant progress has been made towards techniques which could diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia 10 – 20 years before symptoms occur. A simple blood test, eye imaging, brain scans and memory tests could all be part of the future for a dementia diagnosis. What could they actually tell us, how accurate are they likely to be and if you could know, would you want to?

The panel consisted of:

• Mr Graeme Samuel (National President, Alzheimer’s Australia)
• Ms Jenny Lloyd (Consumer, aged 62)
• Professor Ashley Bush (Chief Scientific Officer, CRC for Mental Health and Head, Oxidation Laboratory, the Florey)
• Dr Rachel Buckley – (AADRF Fellow, The University of Melbourne)
• Dr Shaun Frost – (Research Fellow, Preventative Health Flagship, CSIRO)

This event will be recorded for ABC Radio National’s Big Ideas Program.

 

InSearch: Unlocking the secrets of Parkinson’s

The CRC for Mental Health was pleased to be part of InSearch: Unlocking the secrets of Parkinson’s, a series of research lectures and events across Victoria giving people living with Parkinson’s, families, carers and health professionals the opportunity to learn about current international and national research from leading researchers and clinicians.

The 2015 InSearch keynote lecture in Melbourne was delivered by international guest Dr Ted Dawson (MD, PhD), from John Hopkins University, Baltimore. Dr Dawson has been at the forefront of research into the biology of mutant proteins linked to Parkinson’s. These studies are providing novel opportunities for therapies aimed at preventing the degenerative process of Parkinson’s. In this lecture, Dr Dawson shared his research insights relating to the biological nature of familial Parkinson’s, mechanisms of cell death in Parkinson’s, drug discovery programs and the importance of biomarkers to the future of Parkinson’s research.

InSearch was presented by Parkinson’s Victoria, in partnership with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and with support from the CRC for Mental Health.

 

Thinking ahead: Embedding research in aged care

Bringing together researchers, clinicians, and aged care experts, this event explored how scientific research can be embedded in the aged care system. James Lush from ABC 720 Perth hosted Professor Fran McInerney, Professor Colin Masters, Winthrop Professor Assen Jablensky, and Professor Ralph Martins.

Top: Graeme Prior, James Lush, Assen Jablensky. Bottom: Fran McInerney, Colin Masters, Ralph Martins.

Depression and Dementia

The CRC for Mental Health held a public panel discussion at Mercy Health’s Parkville residential aged care facility. Panelists discussed the connections between depression and dementia from the perspectives of diagnosis, care, research, and the lived experience. Our thanks go to Mercy Health staff, residents and their families for their enthusiasm and support of this project.

Science and Dementia — National Science Week

Hosted by science journalist and broadcaster Robyn Williams AM from Radio National’s The Science Show, “Science & Dementia” brought together leading experts to discuss what causes dementia, why early diagnosis is important and the latest research into treating this disease.

The event featured insights from Prof Paul Maruff (Cogstate), Dr Maree Farrow (Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria), Mr Andrew Watt (Alzheimer’s Australia advocate and PhD student) and Prof Ashley Bush (CRC for Mental Health). We were also particularly fortunate to have Senator Kim Carr open the event in his then capacity as Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

 

 

Not Just One Thing: Art, Science and Schizophrenia — Melbourne Fringe Festival

The CRC for Mental Health’s first public event, “Not just one thing: art, science & schizophrenia” took place as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. A collaboration with the Dax Centre, the events provided multiple views of schizophrenia including the lived experience, research, and a clinical view and incorporated artwork from the Dax Centre.

CRC for Mental Health Melbourne & Perth Launch Events — November 2011

The CRC for Mental Health was officially launched in Melbourne on 17 November at the University of Melbourne and in Perth on 24 November at the McCusker Research Foundation. In Melbourne, the CRC was launched by Ms Patricia Kelly, then Deputy Secretary of the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, and Research. A presentation was given by the Hon Mary Wooldridge, then Victorian Minister for Mental Health. In Perth, the CRC was launched by His Excellency Mr Malcolm McCusker QC AO.