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Curtin Uni to continue dementia research thanks to federal funding

Pia van StraalenCanning Gazette

UNDERSTANDING the effects of mild dementia on driving ability at Curtin University is among 11 ground-breaking research projects now possible across the country after the Federal Government announced an additional $4.9 million of funding.

The Government has committed $195,645 through the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects scheme to new project at Curtin University with clear potential benefits for the community by encouraging researchers to work with innovators outside the traditional research sector to find solutions to real-world problems.

Swan MP Steve Irons said the funding would aid in boosting collaborative research to solve national problems.

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“This research funding program is designed to encourage collaboration between universities and businesses to come up with solutions to problems Australian families and industries face,” he said.

“It means that Swan will be home to research that’s leading the way in coming up with solutions that will help local families and people across Australia.

“The team of researchers at Curtin University, along with partner clinicians and organisations such as the WA Department of Transport, the Road Safety Commission and Alzheimer’s Australia will investigate the effect of mild dementia on a person’s ability to drive a vehicle.

“The team will compare the driving patterns of people with mild dementia to a control group. The results will be used to develop an assessment tool, and quantify the impact dementia has on driving tasks.”

Mr Irons congratulated Curtin University, The Department of Transport, the Road Safety Commission and Alzheimer’s Australia for being named in this round of funding.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your hard work in the months and years to come,” he said.

More information on the ARC’s continuous Linkage Projects scheme, and the successful research projects, is available on the ARC website.