Dr Natasha Krishnadas
Dementia Research
‘Amyloid and Tau in the Development of Mixed 3-Repeat/ 4-Repeat Tauopathies – A PET Imaging Study’
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, VIC
Awarded 2020
Bartolina Peluso PhD Scholarship
“My long-term aims are to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist to continue to research and care for those living with dementia and related neurodegenerative conditions.“
Researcher Profile
I am a first year PhD candidate, investigating the biological contributors to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. I have both Behavioural Neuroscience and medical degrees, with expected qualification as a Neurologist at the end of 2019. I strongly believe in the complimentary roles of research and clinical work to enhance the understanding and, therefore, care of people living with dementia.
Project Summary
Historically, a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease has only been possible at autopsy. Whilst some of the biological processes occur more than two decades prior to the development of symptoms, not everyone with these changes will progress to Alzheimer’s disease.
Neuroinflammation, particularly a process called reactive astrocytosis, is proposed to happen early in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This study will evaluate an innovative and exciting new imaging technique to detect reactive astrocytosis in participants across the different stages of the disease.
Early identification of individuals with a high certainty of progressing to Alzheimer’s disease will allow more appropriate recruitment to clinical trials and allow people living with dementia to future plan, focus on their general health, maintain independence and optimize their quality of life.
Supervisors: Professor Christoper Rowe, Dr Vincent Dore & Dr Anita Goh