Rosie Watson-Projects

Rosie Watson-Projects

Researcher: 
Associate Professor Rosie Watson

Projects

Last modified: 
Tue, 29/09/2020 - 1:40pm

The Lewy Body Study

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia. Pathologically and clinically, it shares common features with both Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). DLB is notoriously difficult to diagnose as the clinical presentation can be variable and there can be significant fluctuations. It is associated with a poorer quality of life and higher levels of carer stress compared to AD.

The Lewy Body Study is an observational study investigating the influence of proteinopathies and vascular impairments on disease trajectory and outcome in patients with DLB, and includes clinical, state of the art imaging, and biomarker assessments.

Team members

Lesley Vidaurre

Dr Kai Sin Chin

A/Prof Nawaf Yassi

Dr Paula Loveland

Dr Sarah Holper

Alisa Turbic

SIMOA Platform

The SIMOA-HDX technology is a highly sensitive and automated biomarker platform which allows for the detection of proteins associated with dementia pathology in blood and other body fluids (e.g. spinal fluid).

The detection of blood biomarkers such as neurofilament light chain, amyloid-ß and tau represents a major potential advance in the field of dementia, opening up the possibility of a blood test for dementia diagnosis.

The SIMOA platform is also available for research collaborations in other neurological and non-neurological diseases.

Team members

  • Lucy Bradbury, SIMOA scientist

  • Associate Professor Nawaf Yassi

  • Lesley Vidaurre

COBALT – COmBining Memantine And cholinesterase inhibitors in Lewy body dementia treatment Trial

In a collaborative, investigator initiated and led clinical trial supported by NIHR (UK) and NHMRC we aim to assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of memantine compared to placebo in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) already taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Recruitment will commence in2022.

This project is anticipated to start in 2022 and is a joint initiative with the UK.

Project resources

Team members